Trinity 21 October 24, 2021
John 4:46-54
It’s All in the Word
v.50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.
Dear friends in Christ, words have power. Words can affect us a great deal—how we think, feel, and even how we act. The more powerful the person—the more effect their words may have on someone. Think of the tremendous influence a parent has over their children, simply based upon how they speak to them. Or think of the consequences that the words of an employer may have on an employee: the contrast between the words, “You’re fired!” and “You’re getting a raise!”
We have seen words from world leaders that have plunged countries into war along with the death and devastation that followed. We have seen words that have led warring parties to finally come together in peace and unity. Indeed, words are powerful.
Of course, the words of mankind, though they may at times be powerful, are not all-powerful. That is, they don’t always accomplish what they say. Take for example, a parent who instructs their child to do the dishes after dinner. Sometimes the dishes remain unwashed. To the ultimate frustration of the parent.
And because human words are fraught with weakness, lies, and pain, it can become difficult for us to trust the words of another—to take them at their word—to believe that their words have power. And, unfortunately, this can even lead to us questioning the Word of the Lord God Almighty Himself. “Sure, God said He created the world in six ordinary days, resting on the seventh, but we know that CAN’T be true—because the words of the majority of the scientific community tell us otherwise.” God’s Word cannot be trusted, we sometimes think.
The danger of course, is that if God’s Word cannot be trusted in Genesis 1—then how can it be trusted anywhere else? How can we truly believe His Word about His Son? Our Salvation? You see, it all hangs together. Either we accept God and His Word fully and completely with no reservations—or it all tumbles down like a house of cards.
In our text for this morning there was a dire situation. A desperate father seeking out Jesus in Galilee because his beloved son was near death. No doubt this official and his wife had tried everything: they had attempted to nurse their son back to health, contacted doctors, priests, anyone who might have been able to help—nothing worked—despite all their words—the boy grew weaker and weaker—until they knew for certain he would soon die.
The loving father, in desperation to save the life of his son, travels from Capernaum to Cana after learning that Jesus had come back to Galilee from Judea. He started off—a distance of about 20 miles—frantically trying to reach Jesus in time. Can you picture him? This distraught and desperate father searching ceaselessly for Jesus—asking anyone and everyone he meets along the way—“Have you seen Jesus? Do you know where he is? I must see Him. I must find Him. My son’s life depends on it.”
Finally, weary from his travel and search, he finds Jesus. Coming before Him the official grabs Jesus by the arm—“Please Jesus—please Master! Come with me—my son is very sick—he is going to die—come quickly—faster—please, I’m begging you!” Jesus response is simple yet profound, “Go; your son will live.” Jesus has spoken. His Word is either true or it is not. What will the official do? What would you do? How would you react or respond in such a desperate situation with the life of a loved one at stake?
The official doesn’t blink. He doesn’t bat an eye. He simply believes Jesus—takes Him at His Word—and departs. Later, he learns from his servants that at the very moment Jesus spoke the words—his son was healed! What joy! What happiness! What faith!
Though the faith of the official was indeed great—and to be commended—let us not focus on him or his faith—for the faith was God-given. Rather, let us centre our attention on the Word and the One who spoke—Jesus. The official believed the word of Jesus because he knew who Jesus was—knew that His Word was powerful. For the same Word that brought into existence the heavens and the earth and all that is in them—is the same Word that spoke healing—and this Word never lies. What this Word says—happens—for the One who speaks is the Word of God made flesh—the Almighty and powerful Word. He is the One in whom we place our trust.
Though the words of others sometimes tear us down—hampering our spirits—diminishing our joy—yet we do not lose hope. Though we face terrifying circumstances—be they financial burdens—health crises—even the spectre of death itself—yet the Word of Christ speaks to us a better Word. Though Satan accuses us relentlessly and forces us to see the great burden of our sin that we are guilty of—though indeed the Word of God convicts us of our sin and condemns us to everlasting death and punishment in hell—yet we do not fear—for Jesus’ Word brings forgiveness, healing, and life.
With His Word Jesus declares you to be His very own child and heir in Holy Baptism—washing you in the crimson tide of His own blood shed on the cross for your sake. With His Word spoken through sinful men called to proclaim His Word, Jesus absolves you of every sin—every last remnant and scrap—removing it from you and placing it upon His own shoulders, bearing it to Calvary. With His Word He declares you to be righteous and holy—because of what He has done for you.
With His Word Jesus provides food for you to grant you comfort and strength and peace. His Word brings His body and blood to be really and truly present in bread and wine for you to eat and to drink that you might rejoice in His Word of forgiveness and peace given to you and all people.
When we are faced with trials and tribulations—when we must look upon the face of death—it is difficult to trust His Word of life. Yet it is at those most difficult moments when God’s Word works most powerfully in your lives to strengthen and sustain your faith as you hear the Word of the Gospel that bespeaks you pure and holy in His sight—granting you life and salvation in Jesus Christ. For the foundation of your faith is not in your faith—but in the Jesus that is announced to you through the Word of the Gospel. That Christ, the living Word of God made flesh, lived, died, and rose again to bring victory to you and all people over the great enemies of sin, death, and hell.
The Spirit works through the proclaimed Word to create and sustain faith in the hearts of all who trust and believe. When we doubt. When we grow weary, we are encouraged to pray along with another father in Scripture who brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus for healing, “Lord, I believe—help my unbelief.” And in an act of unrivalled grace and mercy—Jesus does. He tells you of all that He has done—leading you to look to His Word for your joy and peace. For His Word is a sure thing. His Word is certain.
We trust the Word of the One who sent His only-beloved Son to suffer and die for others as a sacrifice for sin. And it is this Word that disarms and fends off the onslaught of the evil one. For you know—and you trust—that God in Christ has spoken a Word of forgiveness to you—a Word of life—a Word of salvation. No one can take that away from you. No one can make that Word false or fail to deliver on what it promises. For that Word is Truth—that Word is Life—that Word is Jesus—who gave Himself for you. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.
John 4:46-54
It’s All in the Word
v.50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.
Dear friends in Christ, words have power. Words can affect us a great deal—how we think, feel, and even how we act. The more powerful the person—the more effect their words may have on someone. Think of the tremendous influence a parent has over their children, simply based upon how they speak to them. Or think of the consequences that the words of an employer may have on an employee: the contrast between the words, “You’re fired!” and “You’re getting a raise!”
We have seen words from world leaders that have plunged countries into war along with the death and devastation that followed. We have seen words that have led warring parties to finally come together in peace and unity. Indeed, words are powerful.
Of course, the words of mankind, though they may at times be powerful, are not all-powerful. That is, they don’t always accomplish what they say. Take for example, a parent who instructs their child to do the dishes after dinner. Sometimes the dishes remain unwashed. To the ultimate frustration of the parent.
And because human words are fraught with weakness, lies, and pain, it can become difficult for us to trust the words of another—to take them at their word—to believe that their words have power. And, unfortunately, this can even lead to us questioning the Word of the Lord God Almighty Himself. “Sure, God said He created the world in six ordinary days, resting on the seventh, but we know that CAN’T be true—because the words of the majority of the scientific community tell us otherwise.” God’s Word cannot be trusted, we sometimes think.
The danger of course, is that if God’s Word cannot be trusted in Genesis 1—then how can it be trusted anywhere else? How can we truly believe His Word about His Son? Our Salvation? You see, it all hangs together. Either we accept God and His Word fully and completely with no reservations—or it all tumbles down like a house of cards.
In our text for this morning there was a dire situation. A desperate father seeking out Jesus in Galilee because his beloved son was near death. No doubt this official and his wife had tried everything: they had attempted to nurse their son back to health, contacted doctors, priests, anyone who might have been able to help—nothing worked—despite all their words—the boy grew weaker and weaker—until they knew for certain he would soon die.
The loving father, in desperation to save the life of his son, travels from Capernaum to Cana after learning that Jesus had come back to Galilee from Judea. He started off—a distance of about 20 miles—frantically trying to reach Jesus in time. Can you picture him? This distraught and desperate father searching ceaselessly for Jesus—asking anyone and everyone he meets along the way—“Have you seen Jesus? Do you know where he is? I must see Him. I must find Him. My son’s life depends on it.”
Finally, weary from his travel and search, he finds Jesus. Coming before Him the official grabs Jesus by the arm—“Please Jesus—please Master! Come with me—my son is very sick—he is going to die—come quickly—faster—please, I’m begging you!” Jesus response is simple yet profound, “Go; your son will live.” Jesus has spoken. His Word is either true or it is not. What will the official do? What would you do? How would you react or respond in such a desperate situation with the life of a loved one at stake?
The official doesn’t blink. He doesn’t bat an eye. He simply believes Jesus—takes Him at His Word—and departs. Later, he learns from his servants that at the very moment Jesus spoke the words—his son was healed! What joy! What happiness! What faith!
Though the faith of the official was indeed great—and to be commended—let us not focus on him or his faith—for the faith was God-given. Rather, let us centre our attention on the Word and the One who spoke—Jesus. The official believed the word of Jesus because he knew who Jesus was—knew that His Word was powerful. For the same Word that brought into existence the heavens and the earth and all that is in them—is the same Word that spoke healing—and this Word never lies. What this Word says—happens—for the One who speaks is the Word of God made flesh—the Almighty and powerful Word. He is the One in whom we place our trust.
Though the words of others sometimes tear us down—hampering our spirits—diminishing our joy—yet we do not lose hope. Though we face terrifying circumstances—be they financial burdens—health crises—even the spectre of death itself—yet the Word of Christ speaks to us a better Word. Though Satan accuses us relentlessly and forces us to see the great burden of our sin that we are guilty of—though indeed the Word of God convicts us of our sin and condemns us to everlasting death and punishment in hell—yet we do not fear—for Jesus’ Word brings forgiveness, healing, and life.
With His Word Jesus declares you to be His very own child and heir in Holy Baptism—washing you in the crimson tide of His own blood shed on the cross for your sake. With His Word spoken through sinful men called to proclaim His Word, Jesus absolves you of every sin—every last remnant and scrap—removing it from you and placing it upon His own shoulders, bearing it to Calvary. With His Word He declares you to be righteous and holy—because of what He has done for you.
With His Word Jesus provides food for you to grant you comfort and strength and peace. His Word brings His body and blood to be really and truly present in bread and wine for you to eat and to drink that you might rejoice in His Word of forgiveness and peace given to you and all people.
When we are faced with trials and tribulations—when we must look upon the face of death—it is difficult to trust His Word of life. Yet it is at those most difficult moments when God’s Word works most powerfully in your lives to strengthen and sustain your faith as you hear the Word of the Gospel that bespeaks you pure and holy in His sight—granting you life and salvation in Jesus Christ. For the foundation of your faith is not in your faith—but in the Jesus that is announced to you through the Word of the Gospel. That Christ, the living Word of God made flesh, lived, died, and rose again to bring victory to you and all people over the great enemies of sin, death, and hell.
The Spirit works through the proclaimed Word to create and sustain faith in the hearts of all who trust and believe. When we doubt. When we grow weary, we are encouraged to pray along with another father in Scripture who brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus for healing, “Lord, I believe—help my unbelief.” And in an act of unrivalled grace and mercy—Jesus does. He tells you of all that He has done—leading you to look to His Word for your joy and peace. For His Word is a sure thing. His Word is certain.
We trust the Word of the One who sent His only-beloved Son to suffer and die for others as a sacrifice for sin. And it is this Word that disarms and fends off the onslaught of the evil one. For you know—and you trust—that God in Christ has spoken a Word of forgiveness to you—a Word of life—a Word of salvation. No one can take that away from you. No one can make that Word false or fail to deliver on what it promises. For that Word is Truth—that Word is Life—that Word is Jesus—who gave Himself for you. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.