When our children were very little my father-in-law could get them to overcome their shyness and approach him if he cupped his hands together and acted as if he had something special hidden there. They would come close to him to see what it was that he had, what special treat he might be holding.
Although faith is a big part of our lives faith is one of those intangibles, strange and ethereal, that are difficult to comprehend. It is not something we can hold in our hands, not something we can see and touch. And yet at the same time it can be.
Jesus tries to explain what is going on with his ministry in this reading from Matthew. What is Jesus in charge of? Who understands Jesus? Who understands God?
It may be difficult to live out faith. It may be difficult to always be a strong believer in the Lord and all that God has done. But we are called to do this.
To help us in our faith we can find confidence and strength in knowing that Jesus is Lord of all. He is Lord over all things and also over all people. He is Lord over each of us and we know that we are held firmly in his hands as we confront the doubts and fears and challenges of the world.
Like God, it is difficult for us to even come close to understanding Jesus. His love and wisdom is far above our own capabilities. The best we can do is try to imitate the Lord, try to live out love the way Jesus did. What Jesus did in his teaching and ministry was to show us who God is. Jesus helps us to know the Father.
We can find hope and joy in knowing that we are the people Jesus is talking about here. Jesus has chosen to reveal God to each of us. Knowing that we have been selected to be drawn closer to the Almighty should give us a confidence in our faith.
And although faith could be described as something you can’t see or touch, something that can’t be held in your hands, it can also be described as something you can see and touch and hold. You see faith when you see someone at peace in the midst of turmoil. You can feel faith when you feel the comfort God gives in the darkest of times. You hold faith in your hands when you hold the hands of Jesus and go through your journey with your Savior at your side.
Faith is not something invisible we hold in our hands. It is something that we show in how we live and how we act. We make faith visible and tangible in what we do.
DAILY CHALLENGE: What lets you know you have faith?
