Scripture: Isaiah 9:6; Micah 5:2; Matthew 16:13-17; John 1:1, 14, 18; 8:58; 17:5; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Sometimes it’s just plain hard to believe. In fact sometimes you have to have Faith to believe.

Who could have ever imagined that a dog would be able to walk without two front legs? But it’s true. Faith, the biped dog, follows her master walking up-right on her two hind legs.

If you don’t believe it then you may need to go to your computer right now to see for yourself. Just put the words <Faith the dog> into your search engine. If you don’t have access to the Internet then, well, you have a choice to doubt or to believe. 1

Faith was born different from other canines. At birth her mother tried to smother her.

Jude Stringfellow is Faith’s owner. Her son, Ruben, is the one who noticed Faith’s plight and rescued the puppy. At birth Faith had a shriveled left leg that flopped behind her. Later that leg had to be amputated. The puppy had no right paw and only a flap with two nails.

Rather than training Faith to use one of the numerous rolling aids for disabled pets, to get Faith up off her chest family members used peanut butter on the end of a spoon placing it just in front of her or they tossed her gummy bear treats. Eventually she was chasing geese and following her master walking on her two hind legs.

Michael Laris of the Washington Post writes that seeing a wiry dog with a furiously wagging tail and a nose-height of 40 inches confidently strolling through a mall or bouncing through a parking lot on two legs can generate some unexpectedly personal and jarring encounters for those new to the Faith scene. 2

Stringfellow shares her Faith with the hopes of inspiring others. She wants people to know that you can still be perfect through your spirit even if you are imperfect physically. Jude observes that once people see Faith they can’t take their eyes off of her. Her wagging tail and natural "smile" speak without words of her love. 3

Our lesson topic this week requires a different sort of faith. It paints another picture of injury and love. The declaration in Isaiah 7:14 and later in Matthew 1:22 about a virgin giving birth to the Son of God has been vigorously debated and, in some circles, still is today.  How could humanity and divinity coexist in the same person?

It takes faith to believe that God walked on this earth in human flesh. The concept is not something easily comprehended. We don’t have video clips to convince our eyes. We do have the testimony of witnesses and overwhelming evidence in both the Old and New Testaments of Scripture.

Of all those who witnessed the Messiah in human flesh, perhaps Thomas represents many of us the best. Jesus knew Thomas would have to see for himself to believe in the Divinity of Christ. Prior to returning to tje Father in Heaven Jesus invites Thomas to examine the nail holes Jesus received when secured on the cross at Calvary.

Jesus: “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe”

Thomas: “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” John 20:27-29.

While Jesus' Divine preexistence and humanity may appear at first glance to an unbeliever to be incomprehensible, once people have faith and believe in Jesus as the Son of God they are inspired by Jesus' power, wisdom and love.

~ck

1. Watch video clips of Faith walking.

2. Quoted in the Star-Telegram newspaper, April 2, 2008.

3. Faith the dog’s story retrieved from a variety of websites April 7, 2008 and from the April 2, 2008 Star-Telegram newspaper.

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 Creative Ministry Center.   www.creativeministry.org