Jesus: Healthcare that doesn’t fail
We continued today through John’s gospel account as we looked at the second of five “signs” that Jesus performed to showcase the messianic character of Christ and implications of the Great Commission. Today’s sermon was taken from John 4:46-54 and MP3s of the service and the sermon will be posted on the Cash Creek website early this week. Follow the link on this page that says, “Sermons.”
In this passage we cannot help but notice the distinctions between a sign-seeking faith (unbelief) and one of genuine faith. A sign-seeking faith is characterized by a conditional statement and is often empty. The Bible tells us that God calls us to a genuine faith as a response to a personal encounter with Christ. The second thing we take note of in this passage is the notion of a testing of faith. The Bible says the nobleman believed his son would be healed and perhaps that is a test of faith. The reality of our world is such that a sin laden world will test our faith no matter what; it’s not always a retributive type testing of faith. Finally, we see the royal official’s faith realized when he sees the healing evidence in his son. As amazing as the young boy’s recovery was, the amazing part of this story is the recovery in connection with the word of Christ.
This particular story turned out good; however, some stories do not turn out as well for the suffering ones. No doubt most of all have experienced loss and even prayed for physical healing and yet it does not come. Many are tempted to claim that God is being unfair, unloving and aloof. The reality is that He is unfair – if God was being fair, it should have been every man to die on the cross. God’s grace is magnificent and irrestible! He calls us to a life of faith – a genuine faith as a response to His most wonderful character. Praise be to the God of heaven and His graciousness.
