Believe!

Believe!

From Grace for All by Jim Stovall, Greta Smith, First United Methodist Church, Maryville, TN

May 1, 2026 · 4 min · Season 24 · Episode 896

About this episode

This episode explores the theme of belief in Jesus as illustrated through scripture, particularly focusing on the story of Thomas and Jairus.

John 20:27-28 Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt, but believe." Thomas answered Him, "My Lord and my God!" Believe, Believe, Believe! Search engine results show that word used 98 times in John alone! The other Gospels of Mark show nine uses of believe, 14 in Matthew and nine in Luke. Jesus continues in verse 29 in his revelation to Thomas with, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." That includes you and me. We have not seen Jesus' wounds or his miracles, but we believe. Maybe we believe because we went to Sunday School as a child, maybe because a parent took the time to read Bible stories to us, or maybe someone in our lives modeled the love that Jesus commands us to do. There are any number of reasons to believe. Jairus of Capernaum believed, and it saved his daughter's life. Mark 5:22 to 24 tells us, "Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came to Him, and when he saw Him, fell at his feet and begged Him repeatedly, My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may…

People in this episode

Hosts: Jim Stovall, Greta Smith

Topics covered

  • belief
  • faith
  • spirituality
  • Christian teachings
  • scripture

Keywords

  • belief
  • faith
  • Thomas
  • Jairus
  • scripture
  • Christianity
  • spirituality

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: First United Methodist Church

Books & works: John, Mark, Matthew, Luke

More episodes of Grace for All

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Grace for All podcast page.