Take Jesus At His Word

The Miracles of Jesus

Lent — February 16, 2024

“Take Jesus at His word.”

(Jesus Heals an official’s son at Capernaum in Galilee)

John 4:43-54

“My Word is my Bond!” These words are the motto of the London Stock Exchange. But what does the saying actually mean? It means you can take me at my word when I say something. If I were to say, I’m going to do something, you should feel confident that I will follow through and do it.

I have seen plenty of old westerns where two cattlemen or ranchers make a promise to each other by shaking hands. No written contract, no lawyers involved, just taking a man or woman at their word.

Have you ever seen the movie “Hook,” starring Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook and Robin Williams as an adult Peter Pan Pan? “My word is my bond” was Captain Hook’s favorite line in the movie. As you probably know from other films and books, Hook was not an honorable man and did not follow through on his promises.

It’s different today than it was many years ago. The words, my word is my bond, have a hollow ring to them. Unfortunately, we live in what I call “A me and I world.” Many people look out for themselves and don’t always understand the damage and hurt they cause by not keeping their word to others.

***********************The Point**********************

Not so with Jesus. Read the passage below from John’s Gospel and see if you can pick up on how we can take Jesus at His word.

“At the end of the two days, Jesus went on to Galilee. He himself had said that a prophet is not honored in his own hometown. Yet the Galileans welcomed him, for they had been in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration and had seen everything he did there.

As he traveled through Galilee, he came to Cana, where he had turned the water into wine. There was a government official in nearby Capernaum whose son was very sick. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die.

Jesus asked, “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?”

The official pleaded, “Lord, please come now before my little boy dies.”

Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!” 

And the man believed what Jesus said and started home.

While the man was on his way, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and well. He asked them when the boy had begun to get better, and they replied, “Yesterday afternoon at one o’clock, his fever suddenly disappeared!” Then the father realized that that was the very time Jesus had told him, “Your son will live.” And he and his entire household believed in Jesus. This was the second miraculous sign Jesus did in Galilee after coming from Judea.”

John 4:43-54

Did you catch it? The verse above tells us how You and I can and should trust Jesus and take Him at His word?

So, Jesus was more than a little upset with the people of Galilee. They weren’t that interested in who He was, as much as what He could do for them through His miracles. Yet the official pleaded with Jesus, “Lord, please come now before my little boy dies.

” Jesus replies, “Your son will live.” 

Here’s the good part!

And the man believed what Jesus said and started home.

He believed. Why? Because He had faith that Jesus could do what He said, even if He didn’t come with him to Capernaum. His belief was reinforced all the more when the official was told by his servants that his son was healed at the very hour; Jesus said, “Your son will live.” 

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—Ephesians 2:8

It’s essential that, as Christians, we take God/Jesus at His word. As history shows, we must have faith that God will follow through.

God promised a savior; He sent Jesus. Jesus said, don’t worry about food and clothing; I’ll provide those things (Don’t expect Jesus to show up at your door with a bag of groceries or some new shoes you need for work. But you may receive those groceries from a church member or a gift card for shopping from a friend.) and He does. God said He would flood the earth, and He did. Jesus’ death and resurrection were prophesied, and it happened exactly how God told the prophets it would.

Read your Bible because the examples go on and on.

When God says He’s going to do something, He does it. No paper contract is needed; not even a handshake is necessary because God is a God of His word. His word is His bond.

Dear Lord. We believe and know that you are a God of your word. You always come through on your promises. Please help us to be like and do the same by being men and women of our word. Amen