The Vineyard Church

This morning I watched my daughter head off to school. She just had her ninth birthday, and I have been feeling a bit sentimental...watching my baby girl grow up. I looked at her and thought, "I love her more than I have words to express!" I never imagined I could love someone that much, and I know that love would cause me to do almost anything to make sure she was okay.

I think most parents feel that way toward their children, and the man in John 4 is no exception. His child was about to die. There weren't many options so he went to the only person he believed could help. He would simply ask Jesus, the most famous traveling preacher of the day and a man purported to be performing miraculous healings, to come to his home before the child died.

He was probably tempted to think, "What good is this going to do?" Or, "Jesus is a very busy man. He isn't going to give me a second thought!" Or maybe, "Healing doesn't take place like this!" Those were risks he was willing to take in order to save his child.

The man worked up the courage to approach the Great Teacher...but Jesus didn't go with him. Jesus simply said, "You may go. Your son will live." It is certainly a testament to that man's faith that he believed. John 4:50 shows the man's incredible faith. It says, "The man took Jesus at his word and departed."

If I were him I may have wanted something more, but he didn't...He took Jesus at His word and departed. I am certainly challenged by that simple act of faith. I am challenged to have more faith in the God who has called me to follow Him and promised that in "all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28) in order to bring me into the likeness of His Son. I am challenged to believe He will care for me more than sparrows and cloth me better than flowered fields. I am challenged to trust Him when He asks me to seek first His Kingdom and put my treasure in heaven, and to trust that everything else will fall into order.

I am challenged to take Jesus at His word and depart...I hope you are too.

Eric Wright