Seeing Is Believing

Why is it so hard for us to believe? This question jumps to the forefront of our minds as we listen to the Lord's discussion with the group who ate the loaves and then crossed the Sea of Galilee to find Him. Remember, that instead of praising them for their initiative, He rebuked them. "Jesus answered them and said, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.'" (verse 25) The Lord Jesus did not welcome them or encourage them, instead He challenged their priorities. They sought Him out for the free lunch. He then challenged them to believe on Him. "Then they said to Him, 'What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?' Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the work of God that you believe in Him whom He sent.'"

These committed seekers were not going to be put off so easily. If this Jesus wanted them to seriously consider that He is the one in whom they were to believe, He was going to have to give them undeniable proof. So, they respond in verse 30, "What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do?" Here then is the problem. They will not believe what they cannot see. As we explore these two verses, we will see them under two heads.
I. The Problem of Seeing in Order to Believe
II. The Importance of Believing So That We Can See