This is the story of the royal official from Capernaum, who comes to Jesus at Cana where Jesus is well known, asking Him to heal his son who was close to death. We know by the end of the story that this is Jesus’ second miracle, at least in the Gospel of John, having come from Judea to Galilee. His first miracle was changing water into wine, and since then, He speaks of being born again to Nicodemus, talks to the woman at the well about living water, and preaches in Galilee.
One of Luther’s primary points in the teaching of this text is that faith must be exercised in order to have assurance and retain its treasure. There are also differing levels of faith. First the man comes to Jesus because he has heard good news about Jesus – that He is kind, able to heal, and willing to help. That’s why people come to Jesus. They’ve heard good things about Jesus. Is that how our evangelism programs are developed, or do we come with Jesus in one hand and the Ten Commandments in the other?
The man wouldn’t have come if he didn’t trust Jesus could help him. It was about a 15 mile hike from Capernaum. He trusted enough to make the effort to lay his request at Jesus’ feet. Then Jesus says something that some would interpret as a rebuke. You people! You won’t believe unless you see signs. It could have simply been stating a fact. We rarely grow in our trust/faith unless we see Jesus do something for us…like heal a member of our family, or ourselves. Then we have proof that Jesus is kind, is able to heal, and wants to help.
The next level of faith is shown by the man in that he doesn’t make Jesus show up in person to do the healing. He trusted Jesus to do what He said would happen. It makes me think of times when people are gathered together – at mealtime, at a hospital emergency room, and everyone is glad to see the preacher show up so a prayer can be said…and they all feel better when that happens. So the man leaves, trusting Jesus for what He said would happen, and the next day when he is heading home, his servants tell him his son is better – he calculates the timing and this confirms and strengthens his faith in Jesus. Then he tells others – they hear Jesus is kind, able to heal, and willing to help…and now they begin the belief progression.
In struggle and trial, faith is asked to grasp what it believes tighter when it can’t see how the result is going to take place. Faith is not needed if the result is known. The response of faith is to tell others where you saw the goodness of God in your life.
So, have any of us witnessed this type of progression of faith? Yes. I’ve seen God provide for my wife and me ever since we began to tithe in 1997. Ever since that decision, we have never worried for what we would eat, or drink, or wear, or be adequately sheltered. Today, the question pops up in my mind, ‘how will we provide for ourselves in retirement’ – but from what I’ve seen in the last ten years, I quickly dismiss any worry. God will provide.
One in our discussion group spoke of her experience in Nazi Germany when soldiers were waiting for orders to kill her, her mother and sisters. She said she could only stand and have faith. At the last minute, a phone call came, saying ‘if there are no men with them, let them go.’ She’s not doubted God’s protection ever since, and has had many reasons that might have made any of us shudder in fear. Trials strengthen our faith. When we witness God fulfilling God’s promises, our faith grows. And we must tell others when we see God’s presence and activity in our lives. That’s spreading the good news.
Blessings in Christ - PWM
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