Taking Jesus at His Word - Royal Official

Once more he (Jesus) visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine.  And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum.  When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.

“Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”

The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”

Jesus replied, “You may go.  Your son will live.”

The man took Jesus at his word and departed.  While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living.  When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour.  Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus said to him, “Your son will live.”  So he and all his household believed.

JOHN 4:46-53 (NIV)


Let's continue to move on in your life with great insight and optimism, with a sense of healing and a realization of a clean slate, and with a sense of being loved in a dramatically new way!


PAUSE:  Quiet yourself in His love and invite Him to be with you. 


REFLECT:

* Describe the dad … what does “royal official” mean?

* How would you describe the faith the father had as he came to Jesus?

* Jesus must have really encouraged this father, because this father began the long trek home.  Can you hear Jesus talk to the father, can you see Him, can you get a sense of what the father felt listening to the words of Jesus?

* How far did the father walk?  When, on his way home, did he find out that his son got better?  What was the time between talking to Jesus, and hearing the good report?

* What does the phrase mean: “…took Jesus at his word…”?  What was he thinking when he first departed?  What was he thinking later that day on the way home?  What was he thinking that evening, and the next morning?  How did he cope with not knowing “for sure” as he walked toward home?  What might have been the mix of faith and feelings?

* Can we begin the journey home, knowing we must depend upon faith and trust in Jesus?

* There is a subtle difference between having faith “in your faith” as opposed to faith in Jesus, Who He is, what He has promised and what He does.  How does knowing this difference make a difference for you?
In your life, how much do you rely on your feelings as a source of truth and comfort?  How much do you rely on who Jesus is for your source of comfort?

* How about your own walk; what stage are you at?


RECEIVE:  Feelings may be all over the board; faith in Him is the foundation that will help you.  Take Jesus at His word for your new life!


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