Read: John 4:39-54; Romans 10:1-17
When
Jesus invited His disciples to open their eyes and "look at the
field," He was probably motioning to the crowd of Samaritans who were
gathering. This crowd was so touched by Jesus' teaching that they convinced him
to stay in Samaria for two days. If passing through Samaria was not offensive
enough, Jesus had now engaged a Samaritan woman in conversation and stayed
among this despised group for two days. As a result of Jesus' teaching, many
Samaritans began to believe in Him. John says this was the result of Jesus'
words (John 4:41). The Samaritans themselves tell the woman who led them to
Jesus that after hearing Him, they "no longer believe just because of what
you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is
the Savior of the world" (John 4:42). John wants his readers to know that
the Samaritans' faith was based solely on the words of Jesus and not on His
ability to perform miraculous signs.
As
John transitions to the next scene, he subtly contrasts the faith of the
Samaritans with the opposition and doubt of the Jews. In a parenthetical
comment, John tells us that "Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet
has no honor in his own country" (John 4:44). As Jesus enters Galilee, the
crowds were ready to receive Him. Many had witnessed His encounter at the
Temple, and the story was spreading, heightening the curiosity and speculation
about Jesus and His intentions. Amid all the excitement, a royal official
seeking help for his dying son approaches Jesus. Jesus' response to the man
seems cruel: "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never
believe" (John 4:48). A closer reading of the text, however, reveals that
Jesus was not talking to the royal official, but the gawking crowd of onlookers
whom He calls "you people."
Fresh
off His encounter with the believing Samaritans who were content with only His
"words," Jesus is now confronted with a crowd who has been listening
to His words but is unwilling to believe until Jesus proves Himself through
signs and wonders. Jesus does something that must have disappointed the
onlookers; He tells the man to go home, and his son will be healed. No
fireworks. No fanfare. Just go home. The man does and he finds his son
recovered. This miracle leads to his entire household believing in Jesus (John
4:53).
In
Samaria, Jesus' words led an entire village to faith. In Galilee Jesus had now
performed his second miracle (John 4:54) and still people doubted. The
Samaritans believed what they heard; the Galileans refused to believe what they
could see. John will again highlight this contrast later when Jesus appears to
Thomas after the resurrection. Thomas famously told the other disciples,
"Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the
nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." (John 20:25).
After
Jesus’ appearance to Thomas, Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have
believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Jesus is championing a faith that comes not
by sight, but by trust in God’s Word – a Word that became flesh.
Are
you willing to believe God based only on His Word, or are you waiting for some
miraculous sign? Those who can only be convinced by what they see can never see
enough to be satisfied. After all, "faith comes by hearing."
Word of God,
Forgive me for being too
much like the people of Galilee, always wanting visible proof of Your power. In
spite of my lack of faith and because of Your grace, You demonstrate Your love
and faithfulness to me in many ways I can see. Increase my faith so that I,
like the Samaritans, might believe you based only on your Word.
Amen
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