Becoming Believers

Photo by Marc-Olivier Jodoin on Unsplash

What does it take for a person to become a believer in God? Is it a certain understanding? How is a spark of faith ignited in a person’s heart?

I don’t know of one specific answer. In fact, when you ask a hundred different people how they came to believe, you may get a hundred different answers.

If you ask a theologian, they may give you one specific answer. But if you ask several different theologians and philosophers, you’ll probably get a myriad of answers.

This story at the end of Chapter 4 of John tells of a second miraculous sign done by Jesus. Once again, Jesus was in Cana of Galilee where He turned water into wine. This time, a little boy is healed and his father becomes a believer.

Scripture

After spending two days in Samaria, Jesus left for Galilee. Jesus had said that a prophet is not honored in his own country. But when Jesus arrived in Galilee, the people of Galilee welcomed him. They had seen everything he had done at the festival in Jerusalem, since they, too, had attended the festival. [vss 43-45]

Jesus returned to the city of Cana in Galilee, where he had changed water into wine. A government official was in Cana. His son was sick in Capernaum. The official heard that Jesus had returned from Judea to Galilee. So he went to Jesus and asked him to go to Capernaum with him to heal his son who was about to die.

Jesus told the official, “If people don’t see miracles and amazing things, they won’t believe.” The official said to him, “Sir, come with me before my little boy dies.” Jesus told him, “Go home. Your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus told him and left. [vss 46-50]

While the official was on his way to Capernaum, his servants met him and told him that his boy was alive. The official asked them at what time his son got better. His servants told him, “The fever left him yesterday evening at seven o’clock.” 

Then the boy’s father realized that it was the same time that Jesus had told him, “Your son will live.” So the official and his entire family became believers. This was the second miracle that Jesus performed after he had come back from Judea to Galilee. [vss 51-54]

(John 4:43-54 GW)

Key phrase—

The man believed what Jesus told him

Digging Deeper...

Review the Scriptures above as you answer the following questions

• Where do Jesus and the disciples travel after being in Samaria?

• Who comes to Jesus and what does he ask of the Lord?

• What does Jesus say to this father the first time? How does the father plead with Jesus for his son?

• What does Jesus tell him and how does the father respond?

Reflection...

Believing in God is personal. It’s neither logical nor illogical. Belief is not the result of some spiritual dynamic or impersonal force, it’s a matter of trust.

The story of this father’s request of Jesus includes insights to the spiritual climate of that time. As Jesus said, “If people don’t see miracles… they won’t believe.” This father—a government official—was an exception.

He believed Jesus could and would heal his young son. He personally trusted Jesus to do this. How can we know this? When Jesus told him his son would recover, the man believed Jesus. Another Bible version says, “The man took Jesus at his word….”

Later, as the man traveled back home, his servants brought news of the boy’s recovery and when it happened. Realizing the power of Jesus’ word of assurance, he and his family became believers.

Taking it to heart...

Read through the Scripture text again as you consider and answer these questions

• Why do you think Jesus says people won’t believe unless they see miracles?

• How is it clear the government official was trusting in Jesus rather than looking for a miracle?

• When did the man know his son was healed by Jesus and how did it change his life?

• If you’re a believer, when did you become a believer and what was your turning point?

Personalize it...

Meditate On This— Faith—believing and trusting in God—is personal. It’s neither logical nor illogical or the result of some spiritual dynamic or impersonal force, it’s a matter of trust. When you are willing to take Jesus at His word, then faith becomes personal and genuine.

Prayer Focus— Choose to interact with the Lord in a personal way when you pray. Start by being thankful and reflecting on God’s faithfulness. Pray from your heart as a child who trusts in her parents. Trust is the key to authenticity as a believer in God.

©2018—Word-Strong