Our Venerable Father John the Ancient Hermit (c. 800)
Acts 6:8-7:5, 47-60; John 4:46-54
Read John 4:46-54
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!
We can only imagine the amazement of the people who witnessed Jesus’ first sign in Cana of Galilee – the transformation of water into wine.
When unusual, extraordinary events happen, news travel around fast. Jesus’ return to Galilee was not unnoticed. As such, a royal official from a nearby town comes to Cana and asks Jesus to come with him to Capernaum to heal his dying son.
Instead of physically going to his home, Jesus reveals His glory in a different way, by sending the official on his way with the words: “you may go; your son will live”. (Jn 4: 50)
Despite the official’s concern for the wellbeing of his son, he, even as a military commander himself, obeys Jesus and so returns home believing in Jesus’ word alone. And the gospel tells us that the son became well that very moment, that is the moment when his father was told by Jesus to go home.
Jesus spoke and the son was healed.
Jesus’ authority as Lord and God is not constrained by distance, or place, or time, or by anything else. This also means that when we approach Jesus with a request, He can help us as well, here and now. However, this help does not come unconditioned. The question that remains, is, how do we approach Him.
Is it with uncertainty or determination? With humility or pride? As a last resort or as the first and only resort? With love or with selfishness? With belief or with unbelief? … For blessed are those who believe.