John 4:49-53 (ESV)

The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household.

Would you have taken Jesus at his word about your dying child? It would be easy to say “yes” on this side of the cross, but what about back then? Remember, Jesus had just challenged the man’s motivation and belief, and it seemed that he discouraged the nobleman from asking for a miracle. Yet this request shows that the nobleman properly understood that Jesus did not intend to discourage asking for miraculous help, only to discourage a faith that seeks only the miraculous.

“Do this thing for me, God, and then I’ll believe in you.”

The nobleman could not use his lofty status with Jesus, or he surely would have. He was also willing to humbly submit to what Jesus said, rather than waiting to see what Jesus would do. He chose to believe. He chose to trust. He left with hope, but not with proof. This is why Jesus would later say, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (Jn. 20:29). True saving faith does not require a miraculous sign, but it does lead to the most miraculous healing of them all—salvation.

With that being said, even the miraculous was not enough for most of the people who witnessed Jesus’ ministry. It wasn’t enough for the Jewish people after their escape from Egypt. It would not be enough for most people today. Praise the Lord for the faith of this humble nobleman from Capernaum! According to his servants, the healing of his son happened “Yesterday at the seventh hour.” This means that the nobleman took his time to return from his meeting with Jesus in Cana. “His leisurely pace was a demonstration of faith. In fear, the nobleman ran from Capernaum to Cana; in faith he walked from Cana back to Capernaum” (Enduring Word commentary).

When we lack faith, we tend to run…seeking solutions or refuge or a distraction. When our faith is strong, we tend to walk…comfortable in our knowledge of who Jesus is, what He has done, and what He will do. We have come to know his character, and that knowledge makes it easier to rest in his providence. The nobleman’s faith was rewarded. Ours will be, too.