John 4:48

“All you people want is to see me perform miracles and demonstrate supernatural power,” is Jesus’ initial surprising response to his request. “If I don’t do this for you, you simply won’t believe.” John 4:48 EFP

  

What a strange way to open a dialogue.  Does it not sound a bit harsh to you as it does to me at first reading?  All the man does is approach Jesus with a request for his son.   It was not the first time, and it would certainly not be the last.  So why the sharp response to what appears to be a genuine request? 

Can it be that this reply is the end result of Jesus having to put up with the Galilean entourage that had come to “welcome” him home from his successful Palestinian miracle-making tour?  Does Jesus see beneath their welcoming veneer and discern nothing more than a mob in search of a “performance” from the Rabbi of Nazareth.  He comes home and all he finds is what he left behind in Jerusalem—people wanting to see a miracle for no other reason than to use it as the sole basis for believing in him or ammunition to accuse him further.  They don’t want what he has to offer in terms of genuine change in their lives; they just want a show!  But even if this were the case, why take it out on this man who is clueless to the continuous harassment to which Jesus is subjected.

Can it be that Jesus is simply expressing what his human side was feeling?  Had he simply had it with shallow people looking for a magic show?  Is this Jesus being human?  Or is there something I am missing?  What does Jesus see in this particular man that he finds it necessary to turn the tables on him as he did after Nicodemus’ opening salvo in chapter 3?  I have discovered over time that I take my chances any time I approach God with a request.  I may come thinking I can ask anything of Him, because he says I should, but God at times will impress me with a notion “out of left field” that cuts and hurts.  He sees things in me that I don’t see.  And he does not hesitate to point them out if He feels that I will be better off in the long run.  I’m curious to see where Jesus is going with this.