John 4:43-54 After the two days he departed to Galilee. (44) For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. (45) So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast, for they too had gone to the feast. (46) So he came again to Cana in Galilee , where he had made the water wine. And at Caper'na-um there was an official whose son was ill. (47) When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. (48) Jesus, therefore, said to him, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe." (49) The official said to him, "Sir, come down before my child dies." (50) Jesus said to him, "Go; your son will live." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went his way. (51) As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was living. (52) So he asked them the hour when he began to mend, and they said to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him." (53) The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live"; and he himself believed, and all his household. (54) This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee .

Meditation by Don Schwager

Do you approach the Lord Jesus with expectant faith for healing, pardon, and transformation in Christ-like holiness? Isaiah prophesied that God would establish a new heavens and earth when he came to restore his people. Jesus’ miracles are signs that manifest the presence and power of God’s kingdom. When a high ranking official, who was very lik ely from King Herod's court, heard the reports of Jesus’ preaching and miracles, he decided to seek Jesus out for an extraordinary favor. If this story happened today the media headlines would probably say: "High ranking official leaves capital in search of miracle cure from a small town carpenter."

It took raw courage for a high ranking court official to travel twenty miles in search of Jesus, the Galilean carpenter. He had to swallow his pride and put up with some ridicule from his cronies. And when he found the healer carpenter, Jesus seemed to put him off with the blunt statement that people would not believe unless they saw some kind of miracle or sign from heaven. Jesus lik ely said this to test the man to see if his faith was in earnest. If he turned away discouraged or irritated, he would prove to be insincere. Jesus, perceiving his faith, sent him home with the assurance that his prayer had been heard. It was probably not easy for this man to leave Jesus and go back home only with the assuring word that his son would be healed. Couldn't Jesus have come to this man's home and touched his dying child? The court official believed in Jesus and took him at his word without doubt or hesitation. He was ready to return home and face ridicule and laughter because he trusted in Jesus' word. God's mercy shows his generous love – a love that bends down in response to our misery and wretchedness. Is there any area in your life where you need healing, pardon, change, and restoration? If you seek the Lord with trust and expectant faith, he will not disappoint you. He will meet you more than half way and give you what you need. The Lord Jesus never refused anyone who put their trust in him. Surrender your doubts and fears, your pride and guilt at his feet, and trust in his saving word and healing love.

"Lord Jesus, your love never fails and your mercy is unceasing. Give me the courage to surrender my stubborn pride, fear and doubts to your surpassing love, wisdom and knowledge. Make be strong in faith, persevering in hope, and constant in love."

Supplementary Reading

Arrogance in Perfection

{xtypo_quote} So whoever is in Christ is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold new things have come. – 2 Corinthians 5:17 {/xtypo_quote} 

D uring a recent trip going up the Canadian Rocky Mountains, we took a two-day train ride and learned about the man larg ely responsible for the Canadian transcontinental railway. William Van Horne was a powerful but shrewd railway construction manager. He set the record in building 670 kilometers of rail in just 10 months on extrem ely treacherous terrain. But in the process, one Chinese railway worker died for every kilometer laid.

I remembered myself working for a company which I brought to record highs in terms of market volumes and profits. I cared less for relationships with my staff and the employees as long as I got the results I wanted. God humbled me when these companies crashed at the height of the Asian financial crisis. On my knees, God told me that my way to being a perfect manager was not His way.

The humbling experience brought about a renewal in me in the way I managed companies and people. I realized that God is a God of mercy. He is slow to anger and full of gentleness and compassion.

People often say that the end justifies the means. Do you accept this principle at the expense of others? Teach me Your ways, Lord, that I may be worthy of my calling as a Christian. -- Rolly España - Didache

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