Background
One of the enduring themes and aims of John's Gospel isbelieving. It is unashamed about wanting to challenge people aboutwhat they believe, and to get them to believe in Jesus. What webelieve is important. I work in a school in Grenada where manyof the children believe that they are rejects from other schools,and so their attitude and behaviour often finds accordance withthat mind set. Much of my work is to challenge that belief and thatcan be a difficult process.
In today's passage this healing is preceded by two statementsabout the general view in Galilee about Jesus: "the Galileanswelcomed him, since they had seen all he had done" (v. 45) and themention in verse 46 of how he changed the water in to wine (John 2:1-12). InGalilee it seems as if Jesus was welcomed for his miracles. Thebelief of people was not in him or in his teaching, but in thesigns and wonders that came with him. As the man comes to Jesus toask for healing for his son, Jesus' response may, at first, seemuncaring or even reluctant to act. Jesus challenges the belief ofthe man, probably a non-Jew, asking where was his belief? Did hejust see Jesus as a miracle worker like the majority of Galileans?The challenge of Jesus forces the man in to a decision about whatand who he believes in, and because of his love for his son, theman persists in petitioning Jesus to come. At Jesus' word ofhealing (verse 50) the man believes, and he starts a journey backhome. This is a journey that culminates with the realisation ofphysical healing for his son. It is also a spiritual journey thatculminates in a confirmation of his belief in Jesus' word, not onlyfor him but for his whole household.
To Ponder
- How has Jesus challenged you to more authentic belief in waysthat seem perplexing at first?
- What beliefs do you have in God or about yourself that arechallenged by Jesus' words and love for you?