Why Believe What's Written?

Caleb: An old book. Why would I trust what it says about Jesus?

Hannah: That's a fair question. You matter to me, so I want to answer it honestly. Near the end of John, the writer tells us why these things were written down. Listen.

Scripture: but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

Caleb: Okay, but what's going on around that? Who's talking to who, and why does he say it there?

Hannah: Jesus is speaking to Thomas. He tells him to look at his hands, touch his side, and stop doubting. Thomas answers, "My Lord and my God!"

Caleb: But Thomas got to see him. I can't. I read the oldest text of the whole Christian Bible, Codex Sinaiticus, dates to the fourth century. How sure can anyone be?

Hannah: I can't hand you a receipt, and I won't pretend. But Jesus said blessed are those who haven't seen and believe, and John admits he left many signs out.

Caleb: So what do I do with that? I don't want to pretend I'm sure when I'm not.

Hannah: As one pastor puts it, you never have to pretend with God. I'm trusting in grace, not in being good enough. Try telling him, "I want to know you." What usually settles it for you when you decide to trust a person? Follow here, and we'll keep talking.