“Ah!” His disciples said. “Now You’re speaking plainly and not using any figurative language. Now we know that You know everything and don’t need anyone to question You. By this we believe that You came from God.” “Do you finally believe?” Jesus replied. “Look, an hour is coming and has already come when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and you will leave Me all alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. vs29-32

Even with partial knowledge, the disciples believed, and they were accepted.

First, let us not despise small faith. There is a true and saving knowledge that comes to us by the Holy Spirit. The newest believer knows more than the disciples at that time, for we know that He is risen, but Christ bears patiently with small faith, and so must we.

He bears with us in all our faults, failures, and immaturity. He reproves us, but He doesn't despise us. He doesn't count us too lowly to fellowship with. He is patient, kind, and tender hearted. We must do likewise. Colossians 3:13, "Accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive." We can't look on small faith with exasperation, indifference, or refusal to help. We can't be too good, too high, or too holy to fellowship with the weakest saint, bringing them to maturity. We may endure insults and hardships, but our Master has borne with us.

Secondly, small faith receives more knowledge. If it is really true, then it will grow in good works and godliness. We'll add to our faith self control [2 Peter 1:5-8]. We'll learn to look at self less and Christ more [Matthew 14:30-31]. We grow in humility and godliness, so that we're easier to deal with. We become more Christ exalting, as we overcome habits of sin, and LEARN HOW TO FIGHT.

The disciples were true believers, so they acknowledged the Holy Spirit before they knew who He was. We receive Him now, increasingly, to rule our life. We realize that we can do nothing, and without Him, we're helpless. Therefore, we look to Christ and power comes. We start the day empty and hungry, so we can be fed. We no longer rely on self in the pulpit or in the pew, so He speaks to us and through us, filling the empty soul with confidence, because we refuse to go without Him.

These things are taught to us over time, and Christ patiently keeps us, until the hour of fruit bearing and manifesting. He waits years to purge us, so that He can use us, yet He never abandons His ignorant child. These good things of the gospel, even God's patient instruction, are given to all believers, from the strongest to the weakest.

Thirdly, let us not despair at past ignorance. In one measure, we were disobedient and proud. On another hand, we had not yet received the Spirit, as we have Him now. Past mistakes are our fault, but we have Him now, so we can prosper.

Don't spend your life mourning the past, but grow to rejoice in present grace and usefulness [Ezra 3:10-13]. Let the past warn you and be a great teacher, but grab Christ's grace now. At Pentecost, Peter and the Apostles proved their failure at Calvary was overcome! The cowards are now bold and zealous. Those who ran now stand [Acts 4:19-20]. Likewise, we can serve Him now, with the courage, zeal, and faithfulness that we wish we'd had. He can restore us completely, and surpass our previous exploits. We can do great things now. The belly of the fish was our university to learn the gospel by experience [Jonah 2].