John 4:46-54 FAITH ACTIVATES MIRACLES
“When the official heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to Him and asked Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.”
This story of Jesus healing an official's son from the point of death is the second miracle that Jesus performed in His ministry. Here we see a father, more than anything, who traveled almost a day's worth of journey just to reach Jesus at this time of desperation. Notwithstanding his position as a government official, he came by himself from Capernaum to Cana and left his sick son when he could have sent somebody else to Jesus. Imagine the anxiety and agony that he must have felt in every single step he took away from his son. But this man persisted to get to Jesus because he believed that only Him can heal his son.
“So Jesus said to him, ‘Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”
Jesus' response to the official might come off judgmental, but He was not referring "you" to him alone, He was addressing the crowd as well. By this time, Jesus is starting to rise to fame for His miracles. This means that many bystanders are present and just waiting for another sign to witness. Jesus wanted to show the rest of the crowd that He knows their hearts and at this moment, He can show them that faith can be advanced into a higher level through this man.
“The official said to him, ‘Sir, come down before my child dies.”
Despite Jesus' apparent dismissive impression, the official swallowed his pride and asked fervently for help. He remained calm and did not take no for an answer. He showed Jesus that he came with full determination to get what he needs because he believes completely in Him.
“Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your son will live.’ The man believed the WORD that Jesus spoke to him and went on this way.”
Oftentimes when we face the same kind of desperate circumstances, do we also go to Jesus first thing for help? Do we go deeper in our faith, believing that He is able to do the impossible in our lives? Like the official in this story, we need to learn how to completely trust in Jesus not only instinctively but all the more persistently. We have to lay down our pride, worry, and fear of the opinion of others. Most importantly, we need to trust and believe in His WORD. The official's faith activated the miracle in his son's life. He did not have to see the healing before his eyes so that he will believe. Without question and hesitation, the official BELIEVED in the words of Jesus that his son will live. He did not have to know how and when; he hurried back to his son in expectation. And on his way he learned that the miracle already happened. It is all because he took the step of faith (v. 51-53).
PRAYER
Father God, our Healer and constant friend, we thank You for Your mighty power. We praise You for Your Word that brings healing and restoration into our lives. With Your Word, everything came to be. When the world seems to fall down on us, we know that You will sustain us and will reward the amount of faith we have even though it is as small as a mustard seed. Help us to believe in ways that we never had before. Increase our faith. Teach us on how to depend in Your Word.In Jesus' Name, Amen!