Do You Now Believe? 8/7/2026, 6:51:35 PM

This podcast presents Jesus' faith that the disciples would understand what He taught them over the course of three years, despite their apparent perplexity and confusion, even as He was almost ready to fulfill His mandate and hand it over to them.

Transcript

Do You Now Believe?

In the 16th chapter of the Book of John, Jesus teaches us a profound object lesson in faith. True faith teaches that despite what we see or hear, and despite the actions of those around us, it rests on a rock-solid belief in the Word of God.

The Mandate and Preparation of the Disciples

Jesus came to earth with a clear mandate: He was born to die for the sins of the whole world and re-establish the broken relationship between humanity and God. Furthermore, Jesus was tasked with preparing twelve men who would build upon the foundation He laid, ensuring that the gospel would spread throughout the world.

There were times when the disciples struggled to grasp His teachings, prompting Jesus to gently chide them:

"And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm."  (Matthew 8:26)

Despite their confusion and slowness to understand, Jesus knew that the day would come when they would "get" what He was teaching and be fully prepared for their calling. Jesus was no mere prophet—He was God Incarnate, the Word of God made flesh.

Foretelling Departure and Disciples' Confusion

Following the Passover Supper celebration (Matthew 26:17–30), Jesus and His disciples went to the Mount of Olives. From the beginning, Jesus taught them little by little about what would happen to Him. He couldn’t share everything at once because the full story might have overwhelmed them. But during this final teaching session before His death, critical events were beginning to unfold.

In John 13:33, He told them plainly that He was going away and they could not come with Him:

"Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you."

The disciples responded with sadness, confusion, and perplexity. Peter declared his absolute loyalty, only to be told that he would soon deny Him:

"Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.

Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.

Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice."  (John 13:36–38)

Reassurance Amid Misunderstanding

Jesus encouraged them in John 14:1–4, reassuring them not to be troubled because He would return for them:

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know."

Despite these words, Thomas expressed his confusion:

"Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him."  (John 14:5–7).

Then Philip spoke up, revealing that even after three years, the group still lacked a basic understanding of who Jesus truly was:

"Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.  (John 14:8–11).

Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?..."

Jesus reminded them that belief—accepting His word and evidence as true—was essential:

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." (John 14:12)

"Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe... Arise, let us go hence." (John 14:28–29, 31).

The Pivot Point in John 16: "Do Ye Now Believe?"

As the group walked toward the site where Jesus would be betrayed, the disciples still struggled with the concept of His departure and return.

In John 16:16, Jesus said: "A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father."

The disciples whispered among themselves in confusion (John 16:17–18), unable to understand what He meant. Yet, Jesus did not get discouraged. He responded with patient assurance:

"These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father... For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father."  John 16:25, 27–28).

Jesus knew that the Holy Spirit would complete the disciples' preparation. Seeing that He answered the very questions in their hearts before they even voiced them, the disciples finally declared their faith:

"His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God." (John 16:29–30).

Jesus replied with a profound question

"Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."  (John 16:31–33).

With their expression of belief, the first phase of their preparation was complete. Jesus then offered His great prayer in John 17, declaring in verse 1: "Father, the hour is come." From there, He entered the Garden of Gethsemane, moving forward to the cross, the tomb, and the glorious resurrection.

Three Essential Lessons for Believers Today

This powerful passage offers a threefold lesson for our lives today:

1. Faith That Saves

We must believe in God and His gift of His only begotten Son. True belief is not merely intellectual head-knowledge—it is a conviction that leads to the saving of your soul. Ask yourself today: "Do I now believe?"

2. Asking Jesus to Help Our Unbelief

If you are struggling with doubt or difficulty in believing any part of the gospel, ask Jesus to help you. The Apostles themselves struggled until Jesus intervened and opened their understanding. Cry out as the father did in the Gospels:

"And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." (Mark 9:24)

3. Trusting God's Purpose and Calling

We must believe that we are fully equipped to accomplish what God has called us to do. The years of preparation poured into our lives are not in vain.  We must:

• Keep teaching our children, even when it seems they aren't listening.
• Keep praying for our community, nation, and world, knowing God hears us.
• Trust that God’s Word will perform everything He promised.

"God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?"  (Numbers 23:19)  

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."  (Philippians 1:6 )

A Final Word of Encouragement & Prayer

Be encouraged, Saints of God! Do what God has called you to do, knowing that He is faithful to accomplish all that you ask in His name.

Let Us Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for opening my understanding about who Jesus, my Lord and Savior, is. I thank You that He came to earth, lived as fully man and fully God, and died for my sins. He is God the Son, and He now reigns as my King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I believe in the shed blood of Jesus Christ for the propitiation of my sins. I believe that the power of the Holy Ghost resides in me, evidenced by speaking in tongues, enabling me to live the life that You require of me.  I believe that everything You have spoken over my life will come to pass. All my hope, faith, and prayers hinge upon Jesus' sacrifice and Your grace and mercy. Thank You, Father. I believe. Amen.