There you have it—one moment there appears to be a brick wall of resistance; with the next breath come the showers of blessings. One moment the man of the story finds himself pleading for his child’s life; and in an instant Jesus utters words that must have sounded like music to his ears. What happened? Is this a pattern? What was the point of chastising him after his initial request? Why such an equally sudden, if not surprising, concession at the end?
It all comes down to the man’s second
request. “Sir, just come to my home before my child dies.” The same individual whose motive for requesting
a miracle one second prior is challenged by Jesus, is now given an additional
response that gives him reason to ask again.
Remember, the original request is for Jesus to come with him and heal
his son, who is on death’s doorstep—at home.
Jesus simply says “Go, your son will live.” That’s it.
“Go home.” What do those words
sound to like the man? “Go home? Is the Healer not even coming with me? Is he sending me away?” He has a decision to make. To insist the miracle be done on his terms,
or to believe what the Master says. He
does the second. He heads for home. His action reveals the depth of his faith.
The text says, “He took him at his word.” He accepts Jesus’ words as reality. There is nothing more to request. His son will be fine. He doesn’t ask when. He does not inquire as to how. He simply goes home. When I pray—do I rise up believing my request has been granted? How to I hear the voice of Jesus telling me, “It’s done as you ask.” I want to hear that voice! I want to rise up from my moments of prayer with the certainty that my request, prayed in His Spirit and in His Name, is as good as done. I am humbled by this man’s simple yet firmly anchored faith that boldly asks Jesus to answer his plea—and then just takes Him at his word.
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