John 20 gives us the account of Peter and John at the tomb. They go in and see the physical evidence of Jesus’s resurrection—the linen cloths and the head covering folded up and put off to the side. The stone has been moved away. Confronted with all that physical evidence, they saw and believed, but John adds this vital addendum: “As yet they did not understand the Scripture, that [Jesus] must rise from the dead” (v. 9).

“Why does he add that?” asks pastor Andy Davis. Because faith isn’t born of physical sight. Faith comes by hearing (Rom. 10:17). It’s when we hear God’s Word preached that we’re able to see the truth of the resurrection in the eyes of our heart. “By the power of the Holy Spirit, the preaching of God’s Word is able to give us a vision of the invisible Christ,” says Davis. “Faith is the eyesight of the soul, and Scripture has the power to give us that sight where we had none before.” We were blind, but now we see that Christ is Savior. Why? Because we heard God’s Word proclaimed.

Only God’s Word gives us the ability to see Christ for who he really is. That’s why Paul tells Timothy to keep giving himself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching, and to teaching. He needs to keep on developing his preaching gifts, for by doing so, he will save both himself and his hearers (1 Tim. 4:16). It’s easy to be overwhelmed in ministry. But when we are, often it’s best to return to the basics. Scripture is sufficient. The public ministry of the Word is sufficient. So as pastors, it’s our responsibility every week to feed the faith of the flock God has entrusted us. To give them a healthy diet of God’s Word so their eyes will be open.

Hear Andy Davis’s full message from the “How the Scriptures Equip” gathering and consider joining him and other TGC Council members for our Expositional Preaching cohort this fall. Davis will teach on preaching practically, with applications that make sermons work in people’s lives.