Jesus Took Account of Faith

What Did Jesus Do?

The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.
John 4.50b

When Abram (Abraham) believed the word the LORD spoke to him, his believing (faith) was reckoned to him as righteousness (Genesis 15.6). As an accountant or bookkeeper would make an entry of a credit or debit in a ledger, God records all evidence of faith. Like the Father, Jesus the Son also took account of faith.

A desperate man, whose son lay near death, sought out Jesus when he learned that the Lord had returned to Galilee from Judea (John 4.47). “Please, come to Capernaum and heal my son” the father pleaded. But Jesus, already growing somewhat frustrated with those who would not believe in him because of the words of truth that he spoke, but required signs and miracles to be performed before they would believe, responded to the man (and all those within hearing) accusingly, “Unless you see signs...you will not believe” (John 4.48). As we can well imagine, the rebuke did not dissuade the anxious father, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” (John 4.49)

Now, we must not presume to say that the man had no faith; he would not have come up from Capernaum to Cana in search of Jesus if he did not believe the Lord could heal his son. In this light, the rather rough initial answer of Jesus may be understood to have been directed more to those in the crowd who might have wanted to follow along to see if Jesus was as good as his word, so to speak. It wasn't that these people cared about the man's son, they wanted to see a miracle before they would believe. To the man's repeated summons to come and heal his son Jesus did not assent, but rather, taking account of the man's faith, said, “Go, your son will live.” (John 4.50a) The Lord always takes note of faith, records it, and rewards it. In this case the man believed, not a sign which he had seen performed, but the word that Jesus spoke to him (see the above captioned verse at the beginning of this WDJD).

As the man learned from his servants, his son began to recover at the very hour when Jesus had declared that the boy would live (John 4.53). Jesus took account of his faith in the word, and a sign was given which confirmed his faith. And by the word of the man's testimony, and the power of the confirming sign, all in his house believed (John 4.53). Jesus took account of faith. He still does.

Signs and miracles are curious things. They can, as we have just seen, confirm faith. But what about when no sign is given? What about when the child who is prayed over dies? What about when the plant closes down? What about when the hurricane doesn't veer off the coast but slams directly into the city? What does the absence of signs and miracles reveal about our faith? Do we believe, in spite of the evidence seemingly to the contrary, that Jesus will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13.5)? Do we move forward in faith, though the way appear difficult and dark? Do we live by faith in the Word, or does our faith hang on a sign?

Faith believes that the child who has died yet lives. Faith believes there is work to do for the Lord no matter how many plants close down. Faith believes Jesus is present and active where the hurricane hits even more than where the hurricane misses. Faith believes, and Jesus takes account of faith. Love may be the greatest of spiritual gifts (See 1Corinthians 13), but faith gives love arms and legs, if you will, to work the will of God. Jesus takes account of faith.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4