Growing a Sign-less Faith

There is a fascinating story in John 4:43-54 where Jesus is approached by an official whose son is dying. The man asks Jesus to come to his house to heal his son. Jesus responds:

 “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, you will never believe.” (v.48)

 Jesus goes on to heal the official’s son through a few simple words, and the Bible says: 

 “The man took Jesus at His word and departed” only to find the next day that his son was healed at the exact hour when Jesus said “your son will live.” (v.50) 

There are many remarkable reminders in this story, but the one that caught my attention was the depth of the man’s faith. We see he was surrounded by a sign seeking, unbelieving crowd—a group that Jesus condemns. And yet he, likely a Roman official, simply took Jesus at His word. No signs, no wonders, and yet he believed. 

As I reflect on this story, I am blessed by this man’s faith. While there is absolutely no formula to faith, I do see three components to the faith witnessed here that I want to share. I hope they can be an encouragement to us as we ourselves grow in our faith, and an encouragement to others as we help them grow in theirs. 

1) Asking Faith

At some point the official noticed that his son was dying. As a parent myself I can’t imagine anything more horrific. We don’t know exactly what the man knew about Jesus, but we see that in his distress he decides to search Him out. Upon meeting Jesus, the official pleads with Him for help. He asks Jesus to do something he knows he himself cannot do.

Asking is a part of the faith I see here. Throughout the Bible we are called to bring our requests to God (Philippians 4:6). To ask, to seek, to pursue after the Lord with our requests and troubles. The Bible says God will respond to our asking by granting His peace and comfort (Philippians 4:7). It seems that part of the faith that the man is displaying here is a humility to come before Jesus and submit his needs and requests. May we be a people who continue to do the same. 

2) Believing Faith

The Bible says the official: “took Jesus at His word and departed” (v.50). In his pleading with Jesus, the man asked him to come to his house and heal his son. My guess is that the official thought he knew how this would work. He had a plan and likely went to great lengths to carry it out, only to find Jesus with an unexpected response. No dramatic moment. No bringing the crowd to his house to see his healed son. No lifting his hands in the air, shouting words in Hebrew and making a display. He simply said, “Your son will live.” Something anyone could have said. And yet, despite the lack of signs, the man believed. Jesus’ words were sufficient. What incredible believing faith. 

Are His words sufficient for you? Is your obedience based on your faith in Jesus’ words, His promises, and His commands? Or do you beg for signs, always seeking more? 

3) Saving Faith

Perhaps the greatest part of this story is the end. “So he and his whole household believed.” (v.53) We see that the healing of his son results in a saving faith in the person and work of Jesus, not only for himself but for his whole household.

This official didn’t just believe in the work of Jesus as a miraculous healer, he took the next step and entrusted his life to Him as Savior.

What an encouragement and reminder that is for us. God desires to use all circumstances in our life and in the lives of others to point to and remind us of His saving grace. 

Life in His name

John tells us at the end of his book that this story as well as all that he has written has been shared so that “you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31).

Our faith will always be a work in progress—a refining journey of trusting, believing, and obeying. But I find much encouragement and challenge in this story. God invites us to come with our requests, trust in His promises, and believe in the power of His saving grace.