John 4:49-54: a reflection

49The nobleman said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. 51As he was going down, his servants met him and reported, saying “Your child lives!” 52So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. They said therefore to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour, the fever left him.” 53So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” He believed, as did his whole house. 54This is again the second sign that Jesus did, having come out of Judea into Galilee.

A royal official comes to Jesus, desperate, begging him to come and heal his dying son. But Jesus does not go with him; instead he simply says, Go; your son will live. And notice what the man does: The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and went on his way. He did not insist that Jesus come, or demand to see the healing first; he took Jesus at his word, believed the bare word Jesus spoke, and acted on it, going home before he had any proof. And on the way, he learns his son was healed at that very hour.

Notice the man's faith: he believed Jesus' word before he saw any evidence. He had come wanting Jesus to come in person, to do something he could see; but Jesus gave only a word, your son will live. And the man believed that word, and acted on it, setting off for home before he had any proof, trusting the bare word of Jesus. His faith rested on Jesus' word alone, before the evidence came; and Jesus honored that faith, for the boy was healed at the very hour Jesus spoke.

That faith, believing and acting on Jesus' word before we see the result, is the faith Jesus calls us to. We often want to see the evidence first, to have proof before we believe and act; but the man believed Jesus' bare word, and acted on it, before any evidence. Faith takes Jesus at his word, and acts on it, before seeing the result. When Jesus gives you his word, do not insist on seeing the evidence first before you believe and act; take him at his word, as the official did, and act on it, trusting the bare word of Jesus before the proof comes. Faith rests on Jesus' word, not on evidence seen; believe and act on what he has said, as the man believed and went home before he saw his son healed. The word of Jesus is trustworthy; take him at his word, and act on it, before you see the result, trusting the One whose bare word is enough.

Lord Jesus, a royal official came desperate, begging you to heal his dying son; but you did not go with him, only said, go; your son will live. And the man believed the word you spoke, and went on his way, taking you at your word before he saw any proof, and on the way learned his son was healed at that very hour. Show me his faith: believing and acting on your word before he saw any evidence. He wanted you to come in person, to do something he could see; but you gave only a word, and he believed it, acting on it, setting off for home before he had any proof, trusting your bare word. That faith is the faith you call me to. I often want to see the evidence first, to have proof before I believe and act; but the man believed your bare word, and acted on it, before any evidence. Faith takes you at your word, and acts on it, before seeing the result. When you give me your word, keep me from insisting on seeing the evidence first before I believe and act; help me take you at your word, as the official did, and act on it, trusting your bare word before the proof comes. Your word is trustworthy; help me take you at your word, Lord, and act on it, before I see the result, trusting the One whose bare word is enough.