Unless You See

 

So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. (John 4:46-53 ESV).

 

Some years ago I traveled to Kipnuk, Alaska to be a part of a team to build a church. It was an incredible time. Having never traveled to Alaska I did a little research trying to prepare myself for what I might experience. My research was woefully inadequate. The picture you see attached here is taken behind the little cabin we stayed in while in the small Inuit village. At the time of the year we were there it is common to have about 20 hours of daylight each cycle. I took this picture late at “night” as the sun was setting. I remember thinking that if anyone saw this surely they could not fail in their faith. Yet we see such majesty often, even if it’s not in Alaska; and, all too often we do not believe.

 

When Jesus' enemies in Jerusalem learned He was becoming more popular than John the Baptist, He left and returned to Galilee in the north. Huge crowds gather, but Jesus knows their faith is shallow and superficial. When an important official comes to ask the Lord to heal his dying son, Jesus challenges the entire crowd: "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe."

This is the same challenge He issues to us. Can you take Him at His word, or do you insist on more? If you listen closely you almost pick up a tone of sorrow in Jesus’ question. He wants them to believe, but they must believe on His terms, not theirs. The official knew only one thing really mattered: his son was dying and only Jesus could save him. So he begged Jesus to come down and heal him. But Jesus didn't go. Instead, He sent the father away with a promise: "Go; your son will live." The official did. He accepted Jesus' words and on the way home he learned his faith had been well founded: his son was healed. Don't stay on the outside waiting to see some miracle in your life before you'll follow Jesus. He has given us every sign necessary to believe!