One day, a high-powered official from Capernaum gave his son's fevered brow a kiss and his anxious wife a promise and headed out on a long 18-mile trek to find Jesus. By the time he spotted Jesus in Cana, the official was no doubt weary and worried.
The official "went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die." The response of Christ surprises us. "Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?" (John 4:48 NLT).
Goodness gracious, I did not see this starchy question coming, did you? Only one miracle into John's gospel we hear Jesus saying, "Be careful." He waved a caution flag against a contingent faith, a faith that says I will believe if . . . or I will believe when . . .
What prompted this response? Perhaps Jesus saw contingent faith in the request of the father. This official approached Jesus that day with not only a request; but also, a plan of action. In his mind the two would walk side by side from Cana to Capernaum until they stood next to the dying boy. He told Jesus, "Come to Capernaum and heal my son."
What prompted this response? Perhaps Jesus saw contingent faith in the request of the father. This official approached Jesus that day with not only a request; but also, a plan of action. In his mind the two would walk side by side from Cana to Capernaum until they stood next to the dying boy. He told Jesus, "Come to Capernaum and heal my son."
As a high-ranking official, he was accustomed to giving directives. He told subordinates what to do and how to do it. Was he doing the same with Jesus?
The man not only asked for help, but he also told Jesus the way the help should be administered.
Was his belief in Christ contingent upon the willingness of Christ to answer his prayer in a specific manner?
This Father did what many of us do when we're in a tough spot – try to control the situation. Perceived control creates calm.
This Father did what many of us do when we're in a tough spot – try to control the situation. Perceived control creates calm.
Lack of control gives birth to fear.
So, we try to take control whenever we can.
We never take the risk without a plan B.
We never take a leap without a parachute.
Never give away our heart for fear of a broken one.
Never step on a crack lest you break your mother's back.
We face our anxiety and fear by taking control.
But the more we try to control the world, the more we realize we can't. Life becomes a cycle of fear and failure, fear and failure, and we realize we can't take control, because control is not ours to take.
The Bible has a better idea. Rather than seeking total control, relinquish it.
But the more we try to control the world, the more we realize we can't. Life becomes a cycle of fear and failure, fear and failure, and we realize we can't take control, because control is not ours to take.
The Bible has a better idea. Rather than seeking total control, relinquish it.
You can't run the world, but you can entrust it to God. This is why Jesus felt a warning to the official and onlookers was in order. In this miracle he cautioned against conditional faith—contingent faith based on a planned and controlled outcome.
Friends, contingent faith is the faith of sidewalk chalk: it's beautiful when the sun shines, but it washes away when the rain falls. We need to anchor our souls in the permanence of God's sovereignty. He reigns supreme over every detail of the universe. God's answer for troubled times has always been the same: heaven has an occupied throne.
When your job is gone, your health diminished, and the economy takes a nosedive, it's easy to jump into action-mode, ready to control the situation. But when calamity strikes, I want to encourage you to stand firm in the Lord's sovereignty. Your fear will decrease as your understanding of your Father increases. God is king, supreme ruler, absolute monarch, and overlord of all history. This sovereignty gives you an inside track to peace. When others see the problems of the world, they wring their hands. When you see the problems of the world, you'll bend your knees. Don't take hold of your troubles, place your troubles in the hands of the One who is our "ever-present" [source of] "help in trouble" (Ps 46:1 NIV).
That's what the official in Cana eventually did. When the official pleaded, "Lord, please come now before my little boy dies'" (John 4:49 NLT) Jesus responded, "Go back home. Your son will live!'" (v. 50 NLT).
When your job is gone, your health diminished, and the economy takes a nosedive, it's easy to jump into action-mode, ready to control the situation. But when calamity strikes, I want to encourage you to stand firm in the Lord's sovereignty. Your fear will decrease as your understanding of your Father increases. God is king, supreme ruler, absolute monarch, and overlord of all history. This sovereignty gives you an inside track to peace. When others see the problems of the world, they wring their hands. When you see the problems of the world, you'll bend your knees. Don't take hold of your troubles, place your troubles in the hands of the One who is our "ever-present" [source of] "help in trouble" (Ps 46:1 NIV).
That's what the official in Cana eventually did. When the official pleaded, "Lord, please come now before my little boy dies'" (John 4:49 NLT) Jesus responded, "Go back home. Your son will live!'" (v. 50 NLT).
This was the moment of truth for the father, the moment he had to let go of control, let go of his plans, and set out on an 18-mile walk of faith, trusting that Jesus would keep his promise when he got home. Jesus did. And he does the same for you.
Perhaps you've begged Jesus for healing—healing from chronic pain, your dissolved marriage, your family's strife. Perhaps your answered prayer will come this side of heaven. Perhaps it awaits you on the other side. Either way, this story urges you and me to keep walking and believing in our sovereign God. Help is here.
Reflect:
Perhaps you've begged Jesus for healing—healing from chronic pain, your dissolved marriage, your family's strife. Perhaps your answered prayer will come this side of heaven. Perhaps it awaits you on the other side. Either way, this story urges you and me to keep walking and believing in our sovereign God. Help is here.
Help may not come in the manner you requested or as quickly as you desire, but it will come.So set your compass on the polestar of God's promise, and place one weary foot in front of the other. Jesus has spoken. Let his word do what it was intended to do: lead you home.
Reflect:
- Jesus told the official, "Go back home. Your son will live!" (John 4:50 NLT). How did the official respond?
- How could you respond to Jesus in a similar way?
- Not knowing what's ahead on your journey of waiting, not knowing if God will answer your prayer as you wish, how could you believe what Jesus said in Scripture and continue your journey home?
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