MEDITATION ON JOHN 4:43-54. JESUS HEALS AN OFFICIAL'S SON

"Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders", Jesus said, "you will never believe." (from John 4: 43-54.  Jesus Heals an Official's Son.)

Capernaum

In this story Jesus returned to Cana in Galilee after attending a festival in Jerusalem. Word of Jesus’ actions during the festival reached the Galileans before his arrival, and they welcomed him warmly. Hearing of Jesus return, an official living in Capernaum traveled to Cana to ask Jesus to heal his desperately ill son. At first Jesus rebukes the man saying “Unless you see miraculous signs and wonders, you won’t believe.” 

I can almost hear the irritation in Jesus’ voice, can’t you? I imagine him rolling his eyes and thinking, “What is it with you people? Why can’t you simply accept who I am? What do I need to do to overcome your disbelief?” But the official persists and Jesus relents, declaring, in a way we might construe as offhanded, okay fine, “your son lives”.

The official returned to Capernaum where his servants rushed to tell him that his son had indeed been cured at the very hour Jesus spoke of his healing.  The official and his entire household became believers.

The gospel writer uses this incident to address two issues: our reluctance to believe and the power of Jesus’ word. We humans are notorious for our need to see with our own eyes. The state of Missouri adopted “The Show-Me State” as its slogan after its citizen’s legendary refusal to believe the word of others. Jesus’ own disciples, who lived and traveled with him, doubted who he was. How can we, living 2000 years later, be expected to believe without proof? 

Jesus overcomes our resistance through the power of his word: “your son lives”. 

Not “your son might live”. 

Not “your son could live”. 

“Your son lives”. 
 
And with that simple pronouncement Jesus changes our lives. 

Lord, we have read and heard of the many miracles you performed during your ministry so long ago. But we are weak, and in our weakness, we doubt you. We confess we need the testimony of our own eyes. Yet your word carries the power to transcend our weakness. Give us the wisdom to listen to your voice speaking to our very souls, to overcome our doubts, and to simply, joyously, believe.

AMEN.