It all starts with weak faith. Yes, my brother, it does. It only takes a tiny bit of faith to open the door.
Lent Daily Devotional
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. (full text at John 4:46-54)
It all starts with Weak Faith
Jesus is approached by a royal official who asks him to heal his son. But he doesn’t seem to know Jesus well and thinks he is some miracle worker with healing powers.
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At the beginning of the conversation, he did not believe that Jesus was God. But weak faith is enough for God’s miraculous work in a person’s life to begin.
A Miracle is a Sign of God
This Gospel account emphasizes the miracle, not just healing. The connection between the miracle at the wedding in Cana and the miracle in the healing of the sick is mentioned. The first on a joyful occasion, now in pain. The first miracle is the transfiguration of dead matter, this time in the transfiguration of the human body to save a life.
Jesus is Lord
Jesus reveals himself as the true Lord of all creation in both cases. A word from a distance is enough to heal a person with a terminal illness.
Faith opens the Door
But note the crucial detail. Jesus expresses his divinity where there is faith. God’s transforming and healing power is manifested where there is faith.
Why is this so? Because faith opens the door to human life. Faith opens the human heart to God.
Faith is Tested
Even a weak faith is enough to take the first step. But the miracle of God requires the door of the human heart to be wide open.
That is why we often read in the Bible that God tests faith. All the essential heroes of salvation history had their faith tested, from Noah, Abraham, Moses, and the prophets to Zechariah, John the Baptist, Joseph, and the apostles.
Faith brings Miracles
In this story, the king’s official, whose son was near death, also had to prove his faith. Then, he had to take the challenging but crucial step of faith – to believe Jesus’ word, “Your son lives.”
We conclude that this royal official came to Jesus thinking he was just a miracle worker. But he came away believing that Jesus was indeed Lord.
Amazingly, verse 53 says, “And he himself believed, and all his household.” Hallelujah! What could be better!
Prayer for Today
Lord, please strengthen my faith too. Allow me to strengthen the faith of my neighbors through my testimony.
I want Your grace to accompany me in every step of my life. But most of all, I like your transforming power to touch my sinful heart, to heal it from all evil. And that you would perform the greatest and most important miracle in my life, to grant me salvation and welcome me into Your Kingdom. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
