What does it mean to trust in Jesus?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Both the Hebrew and Greek words for trust in Scripture carry the idea of laying one’s full weight on something. Today, we would use the analogy of resting our tired bodies on a chair, couch or bed, knowing from experience that we won’t fall to the floor. It would be like putting all our money on winning lottery numbers we had somehow gotten from the future – a sure thing.

Jesus is the sure thing, the One we can put complete confidence in. Peter said that he had come to know and to believe that Jesus was the Son of God. He had the words of eternal life. The disciples had witnessed His healings, His teachings, His compassion. He was declared to be the Son of God with power, and we can rest all our spiritual weight on Him.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• David placed his trust in God alone (Psalm 20:7; 25:2; 31:14).
• God promises blessing to those who trust Him (Psalm 40:4).
• The Hebrew word for trust, batach, implies a confident reliance on God. For example, David expresses his trust in God as his refuge and deliverer (Psalm 25:2; 31:14).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Both Jesus and John the Baptist called people to repent and believe (Mark 1:15; John 1:7).
• The Greek word pisteuo (to believe or trust) is used to describe faith in Jesus. This word signifies a deep trust and reliance on Him as the Son of God and Savior. For instance, Jesus invites people to trust Him for rest and relief (Matthew 11:28), and Peter declares his belief in Jesus as the Son of God (John 6:68-69).
• Trust in Jesus involves not only intellectual belief but also a personal, relational trust in His promises and character (John 15:4).
• Paul was fully convinced of Jesus’ power and ability to save us. (Romans 1:4).
• It is impossible to please God without trust (Hebrews 11:6).
• Peter encouraged us to cast our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

To trust in Jesus means to put the full weight of our lives into His hands, to rest in the assurance that He is our loving Savior who seeks only our best spiritual interests and well-being. He invites us to unload the burdens that weigh us down, the decisions that lead us to worry and anxiety. When we seek first His kingdom, we find that everything else is taken care of (Matthew 6:33). Surrendering our material wealth is an act of trust that God can handle our finances. Leaning on Him for wisdom in our relationships causes us to see others the way He sees them. Seeking His will above all else puts our problems in perspective. As we grow in our relationship with Jesus and abide in Him (John 15), we will notice our faith and trust in Him growing stronger. When we trust in Him, He helps us to trade in our anxiety for His peace and to bear godly fruit in all circumstances.

UNDERSTAND

• Trusting Jesus means resting all our weight on Him, knowing He is reliable and true.
• Both Old and New Testaments affirm that trust in God brings blessings and is essential for a relationship with Him.
• Trusting Jesus involves recognizing who He is and what He has done and surrendering ourselves to Him.

REFLECT

• How do you experience the challenge of fully resting your burdens on Jesus, and what practical steps can you take to deepen your trust in Him?
• In what areas of your life do you find it hardest to trust Jesus completely, and what might this reveal about your understanding of His character?
• How has trusting in Jesus impacted your sense of peace and stability in moments of uncertainty or anxiety?

ENGAGE

• We all trust in something. We trust that we will have food. We trust that the chair we sit on will hold us. We trust that the work we accomplish will be fruitful. At the same time, all these things we trust in are only temporary. Only One person is always good and always trustworthy, and that is God, who made us, loves us, and gave Himself for us.
• How does the concept of trusting Jesus as a "sure thing" compare with the ways we trust in temporary things in our daily lives?
• In what ways does the invitation of Jesus to "rest our burdens on Him" challenge or change our approach to handling stress and decisions?