We are easily impressed with people who do good things, who give generously, who go out of their way to help in their communities without really know who they are.  We don’t really know their true motives behind the goodness.  We believe only in what we see, right?

The question of the day: Are we impressed with Jesus?  He does good.  He was a great teacher.  He loved all people. Think about it.  Take all the time you need.

We remind ourselves of where yesterday’s passage left off.  Jesus was in Samaria had stayed for two days on his trek to Galilee.  Jesus stayed to spend time with new believers as a result of one conversation with one hopeless woman at Joseph well.  This one woman had come in the middle of the hottest part of the day so that she wouldn’t have to see other women in her community who knew her well and were not impressed with her lifestyle. She was the brunt of men’s jokes and sarcastic rebukes by the righteous.  Others thought she deserved what was dished out to her.  But Jesus didn’t.  He came with truth and delivered it in love and who He was changed her life.  (Go back and read the story, it’s worth a reread!)

Her energetic testimony of “come and see the One who knows me and everything about me” led her community to beg Jesus to come and stay with them.  They were not only impressed with Jesus, the loved and accepted Jesus for not only what He did but for who He was. Remember the last line in yesterday’s passage.  “We’ve heard it for ourselves and know it for sure. He’s the Savior of the world!”

So, I ask again as I ponder John’s passage today, are we merely impressed with Jesus for what He as done?  Or do we love Him first for who He is as Savior and Lord of our lives?  There is a difference.  Knowing that difference transforms our lives.

John—God’s Love

John 4:43-54, MSG

^43-45 After the two days he left for Galilee. Now, Jesus knew well from experience that a prophet is not respected in the place where he grew up. So when he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, but only because they were impressed with what he had done in Jerusalem during the Passover Feast, not that they really had a clue about who he was or what he was up to.

^46-48 Now he was back in Cana of Galilee, the place where he made the water into wine. Meanwhile in Capernaum, there was a certain official from the king’s court whose son was sick. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and asked that he come down and heal his son, who was on the brink of death. Jesus put him off: “Unless you people are dazzled by a miracle, you refuse to believe.”

⁴⁹ But the court official wouldn’t be put off. “Come down! It’s life or death for my son.”

^50-51 Jesus simply replied, “Go home. Your son lives.”

The man believed the bare word Jesus spoke and headed home. On his way back, his servants intercepted him and announced, “Your son lives!”

^52-53 He asked them what time he began to get better. They said, “The fever broke yesterday afternoon at one o’clock.” The father knew that that was the very moment Jesus had said, “Your son lives.”

^53-54 That settled it. Not only he but his entire household believed. This was now the second sign Jesus gave after having come from Judea into Galilee.

THINK ABOUT IT…

Jesus has arrived in the region where He was raised as a child.  The Galileans were impressed with his changing water to wine to save their friends’ wedding celebration but had no real clue as to who he was and didn’t seem to care…for they “knew” and judged him as a child and nothing more.  They only believed in what they could see.

At this moment, I am now remembering Jesus letting us know that is not really believing at all. “Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed” said Jesus to a doubting Thomas. (John 20:29 NKJV)

Back to the story of faith displayed…

An officer of the King’s court comes to Jesus asking for his son to be healed.  It would appear that Jesus is testing his faith to see if the official is merely impressed with Him or really believes He can heal his son.  “Unless you people are dazzled by a miracle, you refuse to believe.”  Friends, like me, are you stopped cold by that indictment by our Savior?  I ask myself, am I only impressed with Jesus when He does what I want in my life? 

Do we really believe what we say we believe about God really real?  Or are we merely impressed?

Bottom line of the story:  The official BELIVED.  Jesus merely said, “Your son lives.”  The official went home believing in the One and Only who could save his son.  His son lived. 

Pause here to take this in.  Let us move from being impressed to being overwhelmed by who Jesus is and like the Samaritans said, “We’ve heard it for ourselves and know it for sure. He’s the Savior of the world!” 

Wow.  Believe and be saved!

Lord and Savior,

I believe.  I believe you saved me from all my sins.  I believe you are the Savoir of all who come to you, seeking your saving grace.  I believe that you are alive and well, helping us each day while walking with us.  I believe you are Lord of my life.  I believe Your Holy Spirit guides, corrects, leads, comforts and encourages us with each step we take on this earth.  I believe you are coming back again.  Yes, I believe.  I always will and will always give you praise and thanks for who you are and what you have done in  my life.

In Jesus Name, Amen.  I believe.