Month: October 2013

Jesus told him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” John 4:48 HCSB

I have observed the illusions of David Copperfield. He amazes and dazzles his audience with elaborate illusions. I watched on television as he supposedly made the Statue of Liberty or a large plane disappear. We know such a feat is impossible, but an illusionist can make one think he is seeing something that is not real. We all like to see the amazing and spectacular.

Jesus had already been in Galilee and had performed many miracles of healing. The royal official may have seen Jesus heal or had at least heard of His ability to heal the sick. He came to Jesus seeking a miracle for his son. Jesus, seemingly frustrated with the people, responded to the royal official’s request with a statement that the people would only believe if He performed miracles. Contrast this to the Samaritan people who believed because of what they heard instead of what they saw that Jesus could do.

Throughout the Bible, both in the Old and New Testament, we find “signs and wonders”. A “sign” usually refers to divine actions and points people to God, whereas, a “wonder” usually describes God’s supernatural power. It usually causes one to marvel at God’s power and ability.

Challenge: Unlike David Copperfield, Jesus’ miracles of healing were not illusions; they were real and actually happened. The people of Galilee wanted to see more signs and wonders before they would believe. Jesus desires that we have faith and believe because of what He did on the cross rather than because of His signs and wonders.

Then He went again to Cana of Galilee, where He had turned the water into wine. There was a certain royal official whose son was ill at Capernaum. When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and pleaded with Him to come down and heal his son, for he was about to die. John 4:46-47 HCSB

I love all four of my children and would be willing to do anything for them, even die in their place if that was what was required. As parents, any time our children are sick or hurt we are willing to do all we can to help them. We will search out the best doctors and hospitals to seek help in their hour of physical need.

The royal official served in the court of Herod Antipas, ruler of the Galilee region. He traveled over 20 miles to seek the help of Jesus for his son. He probably traveled by foot or horse. It would have been a long journey, but He had faith that Jesus could heal His son and was willing to do whatever was needed to save the life of his child.

Challenge: There are many parents who have children who need the spiritual touch of Jesus. They may have gone astray or need to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Although not in need of physical healing, they may need spiritual healing. Believe that Jesus can redeem your child. Your responsibility is to pray for your child’s spiritual healing. It is your child’s choice to accept or reject Christ, but never stop praying and seeking God’s help to bring salvation or redemption to your child.

Many more believed because of what He said. And they told the woman, “We no longer believe because of what you said, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this really is the Savior of the world. John 4:41-42 HCSB

God has provided opportunities for me to witness and share the gospel message with many different people. Some have prayed and accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior but many have rejected the Good News and have not believed. I have been faithful to share, but each individual is responsible for his or her own response to Jesus.

In today’s Scripture reference some believed because of what the woman at the well had told them about Jesus, but others doubted. When they had a personal encounter with Jesus and heard what He taught, they really understood that He was the Messiah, the Savior of the world. Each and every person has an opportunity to accept or reject Jesus. What one does with Jesus is critical. It determines where eternity will be spent. Those who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and receive the free gift of forgiveness and mercy from God will never die but will go to heaven where there is no more suffering, pain, or death. Those who reject God’s free gift will not be forgiven and therefore be punished for their sins by spending eternity completely separated from the love of God. Those people will go to a place of eternal torment and suffering.

Challenge: What have you done with Jesus? Have you accepted Him or rejected Him? Pray to receive Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior and accept God’s gift of love and forgiveness. God loves you and sent His Son, Jesus, to die and take the punishment for your sins. Praise God for all He has done for you.