"Even as he spoke, many believed."

In the Gospel of John there comes a point in the story where Jesus is in the middle of a debate (as often happened with Jesus) about what he’s saying and who he is.

The Pharisees have a problem with Jesus giving testimony about himself. They say, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid” (8:13). Jesus, in turn, explains to them that they don’t know what they’re talking about. He says, “I am the one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father who sent me” (8:18).

This does not seem to satisfy the Pharisees, so Jesus continues, but this time the conversation turns to the Jews listening in on it. They ask him, “Who are you” (8:25a). Jesus tells them that he is who he has been saying he is (8:25b-26). They still do not understand, so Jesus tells them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him” (8:29).

Then comes what, at least for me, hits the hardest. John, commenting on what has just taken place says, “Even as he spoke, many believed in him” (8:30).

This is the miracle of what happens to some people when they hear Jesus speak—they believe. Isn’t it amazing that listening to Jesus talk is enough to bring about faith in a person?

I pray that this truth would guide and propel you forward not just to read what Jesus has said and continues to say, but to speak the words of Jesus on behalf of Jesus, so that belief may come to some.