The Faith of Jesus by T. E. BOWEN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 23, 1915

The Faith of Jesus

By T. E. BOWEN

T. E. BOWEN

“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12.

These are the words of Inspiration. The Lord points to a company down at the close of time, and mentions three of their special characteristics: (1) They are a patient people; (2) they keep the commandments of God; (3) they keep the faith of Jesus. This is a wonderful description, when we study what those expressions mean. Let us consider the last specification.

What Is the Faith of Jesus?

What does it really mean to “keep the faith of Jesus”? In the first place, we must know what the faith of Jesus is. Unless we do, we may be found keeping that which bears some resemblance to the “faith of Jesus,” and yet is quite unlike it.

What was the nature of Jesus’ faith as manifested in his life among sinful men? We cannot fathom the infinitude of any one of the attributes of the Son of God; neither can we know the great depths of his faith, but we can at least get some understanding of it through the Word.

Many are the statements in the Word revealing his perfect reliance upon his Father’s love, his help, his presence, his wisdom, and his power. Text after text could be cited illustrating this. A few of them read: “My Father is greater than I.” “I am in the Father, and the Father in me.” “The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.” “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you.” “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” “Whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.” “The Son can do nothing of himself.” The basis for Jesus’ faith was the word of his Father. He knew that word would not fail. Upon that he unquestioningly took his stand.

Jesus’ Faith Tested Through Suffering

There is still another phase of the faith of Jesus containing valuable lessons for us. As he came into the horror and darkness of Gethsemane, as he began to feel the withdrawal of his Father’s presence, and realized that in his humanity he must drink the bitter cup that belonged to us, his faith and confidence in his Father’s goodness and love and wisdom were put to the extreme test.

At this time, apparently, so far as he could see, his Father actually was deserting him. Did Jesus’ faith and confidence in his Father fail him here?

We hear that thrice-repeated, agonizing prayer, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.” This prayer came from the lips of him who had spoken worlds into existence. Think of the tremendous strain upon the anchor chain of his faith when the Son of God clutched the very earth itself at midnight’s lone hour, as these words escaped his lips. The destiny of a lost world, yes, a universe, was trembling in the balance. Would he drink the cup? Would his faith in his Father’s wisdom and love fail him in that dreadful hour? As often as he prayed, “Let this cup pass,” came the words, “Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

One record states that he prefaced this prayer with the words: “Abba, Father, all things are possible with thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless,” etc. What an expression of unswerving confidence in the infinite power of his Father!

The One who, through faith in his Father’s power, had cast out devils by his word, had cleansed the lepers with his touch, had opened the eyes of the blind, he whose voice had penetrated the caverns of the dead, is now tested to the utmost. Jesus apparently is left alone, deserted by the nation he came to save, forsaken by the closest of his disciples, the weight of the sins of an unfeeling and unappreciative world resting upon him; and in this trying hour even the Father turns his face from him. Do you wonder that this request to let the cup pass fell from his pale, quivering lips? All this is comprehended in the “faith of Jesus.”

Have We Truly the Faith of Jesus?

And before the experiences of the people of God are over in this world, God says “the faith of Jesus” will be kept by this remnant. There must be, therefore, some experiences for them quite similar to these that brought to the test the faith and confidence of Jesus.

Do we believe the Word of God as Jesus did? Are we learning to trust God in the everyday experiences coming to us as he did? Is it true of us that we are keeping Christ’s command to love one another as he loves us, as he kept his Father’s commandments and abode in his love? If so, we are laying the foundation for a faith that will not fail us in the supreme test just ahead, as Jesus was sustained by his faith in the hour of his trial. “And Jesus answering saith

unto them, Have faith in God;” or, as the margin puts it, “Have the faith of God.”

So in all assurance, with the poet, let us pray for a faith—

“That will not murmur or complain Beneath the chastening rod, But in the hour of grief or pain Can lean upon its God. “That bears unmoved the world’s dread frown, Nor heeds its scornful smile; That sin’s wild ocean cannot drown, Nor its soft arts beguile.”