Three familiar stories, three opportunities truly to see Jesus
By Dean Collins
We read about dramatic turnarounds when we consider the third and fourth chapters of John. Three individuals there had encounters with Jesus that people are still talking about today: Nicodemus came to Jesus at night to ask questions, the Samaritan woman spoke with him at a well, and an official came to Jesus because his son was ill.
Challenging faith
Jesus had traveled from Cana of Galilee to Jerusalem, then to Samaria, and back to Cana. The last time Jesus was in Cana, he had turned water into wine. If you were in that crowd and knew that Jesus was back in town, you certainly were hoping to see another miracle, and the same one would have probably been welcomed.
But this time the request was not to save the embarrassment of the wedding host. This time the son of a Gentile official was sick and at the point of death. The official approached Jesus and asked him to come and heal his son.
Jesus made a remark at the official’s request that seems a little insensitive at first glance: “Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” Maybe it was for the Gentile official. Maybe the comment was for the broader audience. Maybe it is for us as well. Do we sometimes need something dramatic from Jesus in order to sustain or grow our faith?
When you consider the three main events in chapters 3 and 4, in each case Jesus engaged in conversation that challenged the faith of the main character. In the exchange with Nicodemus, Jesus confronted his understanding of natural events and his understanding of his religious training. In the dialogue with the Samaritan woman, he challenged the customs of the day and her understanding of her religious heritage and got rather personal reviewing her marital history. In the conversation with the Gentile official, maybe Jesus pushed a little either for his sake or for those who overheard the exchange.
The father was not deterred by the comment of Jesus. His need was based on his love for his son and the seriousness of the moment and he again made his request: “Sir, come down before my child dies.”
Jesus immediately told the father, “Go, your son will live.” The man believed Jesus and later verified that his son had in fact been healed at the very moment Jesus had spoken.
Offering life
In these three encounters with Jesus, we should note that Jesus offered life to a Jewish man, a Samaritan woman, and a Gentile male official. Two genders, three people groups, and three different social statuses. Very early in John’s Gospel he makes it clear that Jesus came to give life to everyone. His healing touch is for all, regardless of background, failings, or status. The grace and mercy of Jesus are for all.
How do we respond when Jesus challenges us and our understanding of him?
Do we hold back from asking Jesus to meet our needs, especially when they are exceptional and require a miracle?
Is our faith strong enough to accept his response even when the timing isn’t on our schedule?
Will we stay in the conversation with Jesus when he challenges our understanding of scripture?
We cannot grow as followers of Jesus if we run when Jesus confronts us. And he will. Surely we have enough self-awareness to understand that our current perspectives and understanding are not equal to that of the divine. The challenges that come from Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the scriptures help us grow and become more fully formed.
John was showing us more of Jesus than maybe we noticed in our first or second reading of these chapters. Could it be that Jesus is involved all around us in many more ways than we realize? The more we seek him and pursue his will over ours, the more we are likely to see him at work all around us.
Your time with God’s Word
John 4:43-54 ESV
Photo by Rene Böhmer and Unsplash.com.
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