John 4:46-53 MSG Now he was back in Cana of Galilee, the place where he made the water into wine. Meanwhile in Capernaum, there was a certain official from the king’s court whose son was sick. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and asked that He come down and heal his son, who was on the brink of death. Jesus put him off: “Unless you people are dazzled by a miracle, you refuse to believe.”
49 But the court official wouldn’t be put off. “Come down! It’s life or death for my son.” 50-51 Jesus simply replied, “Go home. Your son lives.” The man believed the bare word Jesus spoke and headed home. On his way back, his servants intercepted him and announced, “Your son lives!” 52-53 He asked them what time he began to get better. They said, “The fever broke yesterday afternoon at one o’clock.” The father knew that that was the very moment Jesus had said, “Your son lives.” 53-54 That settled it. Not only he but his entire household believed.
Observation
Here is a case of believing before seeing. This man has heard about Jesus and His healing ministry, the signs and wonders occurring when Jesus would reach out and touch someone. This was miraculous and wondrous enough, but Jesus is asking this man to stretch his credulity even further, challenging him to believe that Jesus’ authority can effect healing over long distances. We humans are a funny lot. The healing is impossible, miraculous, but, because the impossible is happening through the touch of Jesus, that touch now becomes for us a ritual necessity of the miracle. Why? Isn’t all of it impossible?
Up until Jesus touched and healed, it was impossible regardless of method; now, the touch becomes married to the method in the minds of those watching. Here is a man who knows that believing and trusting Jesus’ word is his only hope, and so, he chooses to believe in this new impossible thing, which is what he came to do in the first place, even though he probably headed home disappointed because he did not get the response he thought he came for. How many times do we come to Jesus with our plan for how He should respond and, then, are disappointed because He does not go with our plan?
Impact on Me
How many times have I missed God because He doesn’t answer the way I planned or do things the way I think it must be done, insisting on and disappointed if He doesn’t perform as I think He should? What sacred cows, traditions, religious protocols and strongholds keep me from experiencing the miraculous in my life? How have I rewritten the Covenant (contract) between the Lord and me, inserting my expectations as necessary to His fulfillment of what He has promised? Do I believe without first seeing or, like Thomas, do I need God to prove Himself to me?
If I want to live in God’s possible, I need to examine why and what I believe. Is my faith based on what He has done alone or on my willingness to believe regardless of what I see? Am I willing to allow the Holy Spirit freedom to examine and evaluate my sacred cows, traditions, religious protocols and strongholds so I can believe without seeing, trust regardless of my judgment of His performance? This requires surrender and the desire to have a pure heart that worships Him in spirit and in truth. I want this to be what marks every footstep of my journey of life in Christ.
Prayer
Lord God, Spirit of Truth, Teacher, Lover of my soul, I am so grateful for You and the grace You have for me. Search me and expose every place that does not honor and please You, every place that is a barrier to the free flow of Your Holy Spirit. I want to be one who believes that nothing is impossible for You and live accordingly. Open my eyes to recognize when I am putting You in my possible box and limiting Your ability to act by my unbelief. Help me to know Your voice and quickly, gladly, freely obey without question. May I always believe in hope. Make it so, in Jesus’ Name.
Pressing On In His Footsteps 