The Faith Predicament

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The Faith Predicament

Dear Kids,

John 4:50. “Jesus replied, “You may go. Your son will live. The man took Jesus at His word and departed.”

 

It was a perfect day weather wise. The sun was warm, but not too hot. The flowers and deep green foliage were blooming on either side of the dirt road that led from Capernum to Cana in Galilee. Here and there a few travelers could be seen returning home from Jerusalem after celebrating the Passover feast. Their laughter and bantering rang out as they reminisced over their recent memories of the yearly holiday. But one well-dressed man traveling along hardly noticed. His face was set in grim lines and he plodded on as if intent on an urgent purpose.

 

He rubbed his dark ringed eyes and straightened his aching back, but still he trudged on. Thoughts of the recent days flooded his mind and chased his ragged emotions around in circles. It had only been days, or was it weeks ago, that his young son had begged him to play games after dinner. But then came the fevers, the shrieks of pain, and the sleepless nights. Time melded together as he considered all the doctor’s visits, the medicines, the treatments. He had spared no expense but nothing helped. Death came near even to those who were important royal officials.
When things looked the darkest, news came that the great teacher, Jesus, had returned to Cana in Galilee. This was the famous man who had recently turned bland water into sparkling wine. There was nothing else that could be done, so he had packed a small bag and set out to beg this miracle worker to come and heal his son. If only he could get to Him in time. The thought strengthened his resolve and with renewed energy he picked up his pace.
Upon reaching the town it was easy to follow the crowds to where Jesus was staying. He pushed his way through the press and fell at the man’s feet. “Please, come heal my son. He is close to death.”
Jesus scanned the sea of faces surrounding Him as if to draw them into the circumstance. “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, you will never believe.”
Ignoring what seemed like an unfeeling slight, the desperate man pleaded even more strongly. “Sir, come before my child dies.”
“You may go. Your son will live.” With Jesus’ response the exhausted father recognized not a terse dismissal, but a call to a deeper faith. With renewed hope the man took Jesus at His word and departed. While he was still on his way, his servants met him with the glorious news that his boy was alive and well.
“What was the exact time that my boy recovered?” he questioned the men with growing confidence.
“The fever suddenly disappeared yesterday around one o’clock,” they answered.
The lines of tension disappeared from the father’s face. Energetic joy replaced his weariness as he realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.”
When faced with a faith predicament, the father chose to believe and obey, even without tangible evidence to encourage him. His faith was rewarded and strengthened, and as a result he believed in Jesus along with his household.
What answers are you begging Jesus for? Allow Him to press your shallow faith into deeper water. Respond to His commands with obedience and let’s see what He will do.

Love,

Mama

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Hi, I'm Sandy! 

I write inspirational letters based on the Bible that share words of hope, encouragement, truth, and healing to my children and anyone else who longs for a mama's touch.

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