Jesus traveled back through Cana, the city where he turned water into wine, and was approached by a royal official whose son laying dying miles away. In desperation, the man begged Jesus to heal his boy. Instead of following the man home, Jesus simply stated, Go, your son will live.

Then the man did what I would have had trouble doing—he took Jesus at this word and departed. No arguments or further questions or clarified instructions. While still on the way home, his servants met him with the good news of the boy’s recovery. He soon realized the turn from death took place at the exact time Jesus assured him, Your son will live. The official, his son, his servants and his entire household now believed in Jesus as Messiah.

Like the boy, they all turned from death to life.

Reading of this man’s simple decision to believe Jesus convicts me of the skepticism that challenges my faith. I should take Jesus at his word more often, because who knows what good things are waiting to happen?

John 4 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Louis Moncouyoux