1/31/10 Believe the word of the Word

Toward the end of the fourth chapter of John (verses 43-54) we read about a desperate man who threw position and power to the wind and humbled himself before an itinerant rabbi who had a reputation for healing people and there was even talk that this teacher may be the Messiah. The man I’m talking about was not identified by name; we just know that he was a royal official, who according to Biblical commentators, was probably an official on Herod Antipas’ (the son of the better known but deceased Herod the Great) staff. And this official most probably would not have given much thought to Jesus of Nazareth, our itinerant rabbi, had he not found himself in a desperate situation. His son was dying. Undoubtedly, all other options had failed and Jesus was his last hope. He didn’t know it, of course, but he was on the verge of a life changing experience bought about by desperation-often a “tool” of divine providence.

His encounter with Jesus got off to a shaky start in that he met a rather testy “cleric” who was fed up with people who cared more about a quick fix or an entertaining “vaudeville act” that they could applaud and then move on to the next show in town. But Jesus’ impatience with the Galilean crowd of that day, did not discourage our “Herodian” from importuning Jesus to heal his son. Unlike the better known Centurion who amazed Jesus with his faith (see Luke 7:1-10), this official insisted that Jesus come with him to his house so that Jesus could personally do his thing on behalf of the dying child. But Jesus had other plans for this man, his little boy, and the rest of that household. That man desperately wanted a healing, but Jesus wanted the man. So often we are more interested in having Jesus bale us out from some predicament but Jesus wants to “broaden our horizons.”

So, the Lord informs this man in no uncertain terms to go home because his son will live. Jesus had his own itinerary and it didn’t include going on a “hike” with our royal official. Then we read that the man took Jesus at his word and departed. All he had was Jesus word and a little hope but that was enough to sustain him until he met his servants on the way home. He got good news. His son indeed was alive and well. In fact, it all happened at precisely the time a day earlier when Jesus promised that the child would live. Such “mustard seed” faith in Jesus’ word blossomed into saving faith because we are told that our official believed (4:53) as did all his household. Believed what? The answer is “that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (John 20:30). Desperation is no picnic but if we let it, we can have a life changing experience. Just believe the word of the Word. (See John 1:1-14 and Rev.19:13.