Tuesday, February 18, 2014

John 4:53

The father confirms in his mind that one o’clock is indeed the very moment when Jesus told him, “Your son will live.”  As a result of this the man and his entire family believed in Jesus Christ.  John 4:53 EFP

What an amazing story of faith.  What a remarkable miracle!  When faith meets divine power amazing things happen.  Let’s process this for a moment.  Everything lines up pretty well, except for one thing…sort of.  Why did the man ask for the time when his son revived? 

For a man with the faith to take Jesus (who he had never met personally as far as I know) at his word and leave for home immediately after Jesus tells him his son would live, what compels him to ask the question?  He does not ask Jesus for any further evidence.  He does not seem to have been in a hurry to get home.  The story does not give us the sense that he asked the servants for the status of his son.  They share the news.  It is not until later that he asks the time when the boy revived.  Why?

I can’t help but see a smile show up on the man’s face as he processes the events of these two unforgettable days.  I don’t believe it was anything but a question asked to confirm what he already knew in his heart, but that he wanted to hear from a uninformed source—his servants.  They did not know anything about timing.  By now the man has undoubtedly told them the story of his encounter with Jesus, the initial cold shoulder response, and the final declaration of life.  He must have delighted in telling the story.  But then follows the clincher for all those present—he asks, “By the way, what time was it exactly when the boy came out of his delirium?  I’m just a bit curious…”  A wry grin must have enveloped his face when the servants tell him the exact time.  The exact moment!  Can you imagine the wonder that grips that contingent of master and men?  His home is never the same.  They all come to believe in the One who is unlike any man they had ever met or would ever meet again.  I think I am going to keep a journal of prayers.  I will look forward to smiling when I see specific prayers answered on my list.  Today sounds like a good day to begin!

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