City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh

The Word

^46-48 Now he was back in Cana of Galilee, the place where he made the water into wine. Meanwhile in Capernaum, there was a certain official from the king’s court whose son was sick. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and asked that he come down and heal his son, who was on the brink of death. Jesus put him off: “Unless you people are dazzled by a miracle, you refuse to believe.”

⁴⁹ But the court official wouldn’t be put off. “Come down! It’s life or death for my son.”

^50-51 Jesus simply replied, “Go home. Your son lives.”

The man believed the bare word Jesus spoke and headed home. On his way back, his servants intercepted him and announced, “Your son lives!”

–John 4:46-51 MSG

¹⁷ Faith, then, is birthed in a heart that responds to God’s anointed utterance of the Anointed One.

–Romans 10:17 TPT

Aisha’s Analysis

Today’s verses illustrate beautifully what our faith is made of. It’s so much more than a momentary miracle or quick fix from God. Our faith blossoms out of a love relationship with our faithful Father in Heaven. As The Passion Translation so eloquently states in Romans 10:17: “Faith, then, is birthed in a heart that responds to God’s anointed utterance of the Anointed One.”

Let’s examine this week’s miracle with the healing of the court official’s son. First off, the court official had heard that Jesus had come to Galilee and decided to make the journey from Capernaum to Cana. At the same time, Jesus returned to his hometown where he knew the people only believed in Him because of the miracles He performed.

At their meeting, the court official’s faith intersects with the miracle-working power of Jesus. From the perspective of the court official, just imagine his desperation. The very fact that he traveled from afar shows us that He believed in Jesus’ ability to heal his son. 

However, it is clear from Jesus’ words that Jesus wants so much more than to simply perform miracles for us in desperate times. He said to the court official, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe” (John 4:48 ESV). 

Interestingly, the court official was not put off by that statement. The very fact that the court official came all that way to seek Jesus’ help shows us that he had faith in Jesus’ ability. He responds to Jesus unrelentingly: “Sir, come down before my child dies” (John 4:49 ESV). 

At this Jesus says: “Go; your son will live” (John 4:50 ESV). 

This is where the court official’s faith is put to the test. Now the court official had a decision to make. Would the bare word of Jesus be enough to heal his son? All he had to go on was the bare word of Jesus. He didn’t have a sign or wonder, just a word from a guy he heard about. 

The court official’s faith is brought into its fullness as he decides to believe Jesus and head home. Every step he took in hopeful expectation that his son would live was actually bringing him closer to God and that much closer to seeing his miracle come into fruition. 

Partnering with God in faith will effortlessly result in amazing miracles. However, let’s never forget that getting the miracle is not our focus; it’s Jesus. Not signs and wonders. As joyful and encouraging as they can be, miracles are momentary. What stands the test of time and all of life’s fiery trials is our faith in Jesus. And Jesus is enough.

Application

Today’s verses show us that taking Jesus at His word will never lead to disappointment. We can trust God no matter what our current situation looks like. Today’s verses also show us that God wants more with us than just a transactional relationship of receiving His miracles. He wants to be a part of our lives, and faith is the bridge that connects our worlds. 

Where is your faith lacking right now? The issue is never the strength or size of your faith, but rather what are you putting your faith in? If the answer is anything but Jesus, you will come up empty and you will experience suffering. However, let that suffering be a signpost pointing you back to where your faith should be. Jesus. What has Jesus spoken to your heart, and have you responded in faith? If not, decide to do so today. Obey God with joyful expectation, and find rest in your relationship with the Lord. Find out what His word says, and believe it! Prove it by acting like His word is true even before you see any evidence of it in this natural world. 

Prayer

Father God, I thank You for sending Your only begotten Son to save sinful humanity long before I ever knew I needed You. Holy Spirit, I thank You for unveiling Jesus to my heart through Your infallible word. May my heart respond in faith to the promises You’ve spoken to me. In Jesus’ name, amen.