God is at Work – Whether We See It or Not

“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.”
John 4:49-54

Jesus was in Cana (region of Galilee).  It was a frequent stopping point for Jesus as He

traveled through the Land of the people of Israel, whom God had assigned to carry out His Purposes in His world.   Jesus had just been in Samaria, doing His “cross-cultural” Work among the Samaritan people of  “Arab” descent.  But Galilee / Cana was “home.”  

This Roman official, posted there to oversee Rome’s control in that region, would have been well aware of Jesus’ movements in this man’s assigned official oversight.  He carried the authority of the Empire that now controlled the Land of Israel . . . God’s Land.

But the Official was a daddy.  He had a son . . . the son who would carry out his family name and follow in his father’s footsteps some day.   His son, who enjoyed the privilege of his father’s status and the benefits of being a Roman citizen, was dying.  All of the power, strength, and standing this daddy carried could not save his precious boy.  His ‘gods’ were not doing anything to help him.  They were proving to have no power to help this father who was in official service to the mighty Roman Empire. In his deepest personal crisis, his ‘gods’ were proving themselves as powerless.

In his desperation, he could have used his power and authority to order Jesus to do his bidding. . . go to his dying son.  But, despite this official’s position and status, Jesus’ Words moved him to obey this One that he had been watching from a distance as a part of his job.  His heart and soul longed for a Power that Rome could not provide. . . his gods could not accomplish. . . his position could not make a reality. 

He had seen enough of this One to feel compelled to ask for His Help.  He was not a Follower . . . yet.  But in his Moment, his desperate heart was known to God, and Jesus brought Truth to this hurting father’s heart, as well as Life to his precious son.

Check out Janet’s book: Not Forgotten on Amazon