Today’s Author: Kent Olson
The reading this past Sunday starts in Cana where he changed water into wine, a wonderful story of how Jesus helped at a wedding. But this story starts with a potential tragedy. A child is very sick. A parent is very desperate for the child’s life. This royal official was probably used to power and having success in life. But now his son is very ill. He is so frantic that this royal official seeks out Jesus, someone who is not in the official circle. The official is perhaps thinking, “If he can change water into wine, maybe he can heal my son.” He is looking in desperation for any solution.
Luckily, I have not had to deal with losing a child. I cannot fully comprehend the feeling of losing a child. Learning of any child dying is tragic. Parents and non-parents react with anguish. A community often has a massive collective effort to save a child as seen recently in Morocco (but with a sad ending). Like the royal official, I too would be searching for a solution for a sick child even far away and with people I did not know. Most people see children as the future, a sense that society will continue to exist in the future. To lose the future even for one child is a tragedy. But that tragedy is avoided in this reading from John.
When Jesus says, “Go, your son will live,” the man believes and later learns from his slaves that the fever had left at the same hour that Jesus had said these words. What relief must have come over this father!
The official believed because of the miracle of his son’s healing by Jesus. His whole household believed. A miracle by Jesus made them believe in Jesus.
Jesus said, “Your son will live,” and the son did. Just words, no medication, no “Take two aspirin and call me in the morning.” Just words. We hear of the power of God and Jesus due to the healing power of just words.
I am thankful for the personal knowledge of a few miracles even though small. They provide a sense of belief and relief that God is present in the world and is with us every day.
Prayer: God in heaven, thank you for your presence in our lives and in our world. We see brokenness around us but the miracles we see and hear of give us the strength to believe in you and your presence with us. Amen
Mid-week devotions are authored by members of our community. If you are interested in creating a trio of reflections to be shared on an upcoming Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, contact Pastor Peter.