Wednesday, March 23, 2011

John 4:43-54

John 4
 43 After the two days he left for Galilee. 44 (Now Jesus himself had pointed out that prophets have no honor in their own country.) 45 When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, for they also had been there. 46 Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. 47 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.
   48 “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”
 49 The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”
   50 “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.”
   The man took Jesus at his word and departed. 51 While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52 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.”
 53 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.
 54 This was the second sign Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee.

As a parent, I really understand that you would do anything to save your child - anything.  In fact, I spend a whole lot of my time worrying about my kids even when they are fine.  Today I found myself all twisted-up because it seemed like one of them wasn’t doing well socially at school.  Tomorrow it will probably be that they aren’t on par with other kids academically.  I can’t imagine what will happen when they get old enough to realize they don’t have to do everything that I tell them!  I want every area of their lives to go well - really, really well.  In today’s story, we see a desperate father - he wants his son to be healed.  In this passage, the problem is a fever, but we all know of people or situations that we think need healing in one way or another.  What I’m amazed at is how easily he turns around to go home.  He just hears Jesus’ words and heads back.  Was it because he believed?  Was it because he gave up?  We’ll never be sure.  But John at least wants us to think about faith here.  Jesus makes a side comment to those gathered around him, “unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.”  Then Jesus reminds us that He is “sovereign” or in control.  He heals the boy - without even going to see him or touch him.  He just speaks.  John wants that to remind us that Jesus is the WORD and trigger in our memory that the whole world was “spoken” into existence - created by God’s words.  (Remember that Chesney talked about the significance of this Word / Logos title and how it identifies Him as God.)

I need that reminder - the reminder that my kids and the people around me are in God’s hands.  I need to be reminded that even if I’m worried, God is in control.  I need to know that when I’m talking to Jesus, I’m speaking to a God who heals - who created the whole world by speaking.  I need enough faith to hear Jesus’ words and just turn to walk back home.  May Jesus speak words of healing about your worries today.

Pray something like...
God, you know how much I’m worried about ____________.  I know I’m supposed to let it go but that is harder to do that it should be.  Could You remind me of who You are?  Would you give me faith when I don’t have it on my own.  And, would you heal my situation?  Please bring healing.
Amen


(Caz Minter)

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