English Devotion - Witnessing to Rationalist

Devotion: John 4: 46-54

Witnessing to Rationalist

By this time Jesus had made His home in Capernaum, the nobleman traveled the 30 kilometers from Capernaum to Cana to meet with Jesus.

He notably had a royalty background and was likely an officer of Herod Antipas.

This certain nobleman was one of many parents who came to Jesus on behalf of an afflicted child.

He obviously came with the passion and urgency of a father of a sick child near to death.

This miracle is a notable one from Jesus.

The little spark of faith in the heart of this nobleman by Him lit up into a clear and enduring flame for the light and comfort of himself and his house.

The nobleman did not appeal to Jesus on the basis of his noble status. 

 

But on the basis of his son’s great need. Coming to Jesus as a great and important man would gain him nothing before Jesus.

Jesus discouraged the nobleman from asking for a miracle.

Yet this request shows that the nobleman properly understood that Jesus did not intend to discourage asking Jesus for miraculous help, only to discourage a faith that seeks only the miraculous.

Jesus severely tested this man’s faith, forcing him to believe in Jesus’ word alone and not in any outward demonstration of the miraculous signs. 

Despite the test, the man took Jesus at His word and departed.

The nobleman demonstrated that true faith is simply taking Jesus at His word.

Jesus rebuked those who depended on signs and wonders before they would believe.

Jesus did not use any dramatic effects in this healing.

Real faith may perceive and accept the outward demonstration of the miraculous but does not require it.

The nobleman believed it before the evidence.

 When Jesus proclaimed the boy healed, he was in fact healed

The miraculous power of Jesus developed greater faith in both the nobleman and his household. He believed before, but now he believed more.

His faith was deepened by his personal experience of God’s power.

Signs and wonders from God are obviously good things, but they should not form the foundation of our faith. We should not depend on them to prove God to us.

In themselves, signs and wonders cannot change the heart.

Israel saw incredible signs at Mount Sinai and even heard the very voice of God, (Exodus 19:16-20:1), yet a short time later they worshipped a gold calf (Exodus 32:1-6).

While we ask God to do signs and wonders among us today, its faith is what God wants us to believe.

The samaritans lady believed without any sign, the nobleman believed without any sign.

We must believe that God can work through us without any signs even these days. Let us build our faith in Him.


Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, Thank you, Lord, for helping us understand the real meaning of faith in action. Help us to increase in faith in sharing the gospel. Help us to have faith that you will empower us when we share the gospel with others.

 
In Jesus' name, AMEN.

Blessings & Prayers 

Pastor. Bobby Leonard