Believe and Receive

John 4:47-53

“When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.  ‘Unless you people see signs and wonders,’ Jesus told him, ‘you will never believe.’  The royal official said, ‘Sir, come down before my child dies.’ ‘Go,’ Jesus replied, ‘your son will live.’  The man took Jesus at his word and departed. While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, ‘Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.’  Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, ‘Your son will live.’ So he and his whole household believed.”
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When I read this part of John’s Gospel, I find the contradiction between Jesus’ statement and the actions of the royal official most interesting. While we see Jesus criticizing the crowd for their lack of faith, we see a man who chooses to take the opposite approach.

Does he get to experience a miracle?  He asks Jesus to heal his son.  But he doesn’t say to Jesus, “No, you can’t stay here.   You must come to where my son is an touch him, heal him.”  His approach is all about faith.  Jesus tells him, “your son will live”, and he simply believes.  He went back home, believing, fully expecting to find his son healed and healthy.

And he does.

Dearest God, 

You have given us Your promise that when we have faith in You, miracles happen.  We can do all things through Your Son who gives us strength; strength to believe, strength to move forward, strength to have peace in the face of chaos. 

When our faith falters, bring us back to a point of knowing that You can make great things happen for us.  When we put our trust in You, we are able to walk confidently towards the miracle You have prepared for our blessing. 

We offer thanks and praise to you, our God, in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ,  

Amen.