RPG Adults
BY FAITH OR BY SIGHT?
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30
John 4:43-54
Romans 1:8-16
“…Except ye see signs
and wonders,
ye will not believe.”
BY FAITH OR BY SIGHT?
Earlier on in Samaria, Jesus said that “salvation is of the Jews.” Paul similarly said that the Gospel of Christ “is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom 1:16). As a Prophet, Jesus was generally despised by His own people. Yet He could not neglect His duty to preach the Gospel of the kingdom of God to them.
Up till this point in time, Jesus performed no miracle (at least none was recorded) except in Cana of Galilee where He turned water into wine. Now we have a record of the second miracle He performed. This time it was again in Cana. A “nobleman” (basilikos, “a king’s officer” or “a small king”), probably from Herod’s court, sought help from Jesus to save his son from death. He knew Jesus could work miracles. It is possible that he was one of those at the wedding dinner who saw Jesus turning water into wine.
Jesus rebuked the nobleman, “Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.” The Lord knew what was in his heart. He was not truly believing. He would believe only if Jesus could miraculously raise his son. This rebuke was not levelled at the nobleman alone, but at all the villagers (note the plural “ye”). The nobleman humbly accepted the Lord’s rebuke. He responded well by not arguing with Jesus. He knew Jesus’ appraisal of him was correct.
The nobleman was hoping that Jesus would come down to his house to heal his son. But Jesus sent him home with the words “thy son liveth.” He believed in Jesus’ words, and went his way. His faith had matured! He no longer needed a miracle. He took Christ at His Word. That is the kind of faith God desires from His people. “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29). The nobleman’s son was healed that very hour.
THOUGHT: Do I need a miracle to believe in Christ?
PRAYER: Father, I want to believe by faith and not by sight.