John 4:43-54.
I have to admit, I've read this passage several times and have probably missed the depth of the true meaning. I just simply didn't understand the point, most likely. So, why did John get prompted to include this story as the second great sign or miracle out of seven? The Holy Spirit wants to further round out the Way to salvation and show the results that follow. The healing of the man's son is salvation by faith, where Jesus heals him from a remote location, some 14 miles away. The water turned to wine was salvation by the word of truth. Now, it is a story of faith: a dad exercising faith for his son's healing.
We need to realize the importance and necessity of bringing our children face to face with their sins and the Savior. They can live under our influence while under our roof, but nothing substitutes for themselves facing the Savior. They must do it on their own. It's a very personal decision. We can't do it for them. This is not a contradiction in the story, where the man's son didn't actually come to Jesus. Maybe the guy couldn't bring him because he was too sick. I don't know. But instead, this is a story that describes faith in Christ and the results that follow. The man believed Jesus and the result was his son being healed. But when it comes to salvation of the soul, our children must face the Savior themselves. Capiche?
Faith in Jesus is a big deal, folks. Think of the times Jesus chastised His disciples for their lack of faith. We can either live by fear or faith. One can't exist in the presence of the other. Faith displaces fear. Fear displaces faith. Be strong and courageous to choose a wild faith in Jesus. Couple that faith with complete trust in His goodness and sovereignty.
People are afraid they may be deceived and taken advantage of. They don't want to be coerced into sacrificing their own time, energies, and resources. They want to continue living their own lives, their own way, with no one to tell them what to do. They want to see signs and wonders. Jesus again mentions this major mistake in the passage. I think I'm like that at times also. My flesh struggles with faith, which is believing in what is unseen. I want to see things with my own eyes before I believe. Jesus make it very clear that salvation is by faith, like the wind I cannot see. I need to continually give up the idea that I need to see before believing. I think this is the entertainment factor in the world. It's the position of doubt and rich selfishness that requires signs and wonders to believe. But it is a flippant, weak faith in signs and wonders instead of a solid belief in Christ. Keep in mind, Satan can perform signs and wonders as well. The antichrist will certainly awe the world with his performance. Very deceiving. So, the very thing we are afraid of is going to come true if we don't place our faith in Jesus. That's some serious differences in results! Don't base your salvation on feelings, dreams, visions, voices, drummed up testimonies, staged spiritual movements. Make sure the foundation of your salvation is simply faith in Jesus.
So, Jesus spoke the words to the man that his son was healed. The man believed Jesus' promise. He didn't bolt off in a 14 mile sprint, but instead tarried in that village until the next day- full of joy and peace. This is remarkable to me. I would've have bolted - in doubt the whole way. This man had a huge faith in Jesus and believed His words. It brought real peace. Jon Courson says, "peace is the proof of a promise believed". There should be no panic or worry or fear. "Oh, the kids aren't doing well. Oh, my job. Oh, my marriage. Oh, it doesn't look good." Peace. Also, "praise is the path of a promise received". What are we worried or burdened about? Results of true faith in Jesus include peace and praise. That's why this story hit home with me this time. I've missed it in the past, but I am putting my hope in Jesus that I may have true peace about my situations and walk a path of praise the whole way home. I pray you'll join me.
