True Believers

John 10:42  And many believed on him there.

Where are all these believers when Jesus is crucified?

Mary, Mary and Mary are there, John too. A Centurion confesses, "Truly, this was the Son of God!" A thief dies and goes to Paradise. The rest of the Apostles are cowering in fear, but will get over it. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea are standing in the wings, prepared to care for His body.

But where are all of these believers? Where are the crowds that thronged Him? Where's Bartemaeus? Where is the woman taken in adultery? Where's the woman whose son was raised from the dead. Weren't they all from the Jerusalem area? Couldn't they have at least been there to support Him in His hours or trial, mistreatment and torment? Why weren't they praying for Him, crying out, "Let Him go, take Barabbas instead."?

People are fickle! When the going gets tough, they are outta there! The goats are separated from the sheep He spoke of throughout the earlier part of chapter ten. They are separated by disgust, disgrace, disappointment and disagreeable circumstances.

I think the belief that some express is a head belief rather than a heart belief. It is a belief born of convenience, popularity, and pragmatism. It is non-committal, non-binding and mercurial.

Let us make sure our belief is pure, sincere and born of faith.