“For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.” (John 17:8)
Expanded Passage: John 17:5-8
When sitting on a chair, I automatically trust that the four legs will do the task they were meant to: hold up the chair. It seems so obvious that I am trusting in the chair to keep me off the ground, but I do not usually question or contest it! When I sit, I put my trust in the chair without thinking.
As Jesus is praying, he is reminding his Father that those following him “knew with certainty” where Jesus came from and that they had become believers. It is essential to be secure, to know what is real, especially in our day of rapidly spreading misinformation. In Jesus’ time on earth, his followers came to clearly know him as reliable and reputable. Today, we can have that same confidence that Jesus is who he says he is, without having to think or question this trust.
As C. S. Lewis wrote in his apologetic argument, Jesus is either a lunatic, a liar, or the Lord. Investigating archaeological evidence, historical documentation, eyewitnesses to miracles, and personal life transformation can build trust even further. Just like the chair legs that I trust to support the chair I sit in, the words and life of Jesus are a foundational truth that I can position myself on with complete confidence that he is who he says he is.
Carry on with the certainty that you can have confidence in Jesus.
Sarah Grace was discipled in The Wesleyan Church in the Western New York region. She enjoys camping, music, and being outdoors in all seasons.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
