READ
John 4:43-53
CONSIDER
In the Gospel of John 4:43-53, the scripture challenges us to move from a sight-based faith to a word-based faith through the story of the healing of a royal official’s son. Jesus left Samaria and entered Galilee. The Galileans welcomed him primarily because they wanted to see more miracles, having witnessed His miraculous signs in Jerusalem.
As Jesus returned to Cana, a royal official from Capernaum approached Him and begged Jesus to go back with him to heal his son, who was close to death. Jesus challenged the crowd’s motives, saying, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.” The official remained undeterred, begging the Lord to go back to Capernaum with him before his son dies. Instead of physically travelling with the man, Jesus simply said, “Go, your son will live.” The official went home and found out that his son was healed exactly the moment Jesus spoke those words. And so he and his household then believed and put their faith in Jesus.
Please join me in extending a warm SCBC welcome this Sunday to Dr. L. Mak, as he will dive deeper into this scriptural passage and challenge us to trust God for what seems impossible. Let us continue to grow our faith simply by trusting in God’s word, and not waiting for seeing physical evidence before we choose to believe.
Deacon Chico Lam
PRAY
Lord, help us to increase our trust and faith in You as we read Your word. May we have a child-like faith and trust in You fully simply by hearing Your word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
DIVING DEEPER
Recount how many times in the past week (month/year) the Lord has kept His word and promises in your life. Have you given thanks for all the big and small instances God has kept His word and promises?
How is the Lord prompting you to be transformed to be more like Christ (i.e. Jesus prayed constantly and trusted the Father)?