Scripture: John 4:50 (ESV)
“Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your son will live.’ The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.”
No touch. No spectacle. No journey back to Capernaum. Just a word.
Jesus responds to the official’s desperate plea not with drama, but with authority: “Go; your son will live.” It’s a command and a promise wrapped into one. And it’s here that something extraordinary happens—the official believes. He doesn’t ask for proof. He doesn’t press Jesus to come anyway. He simply receives the word and obeys.
This is the turning point. The man came hoping for a miracle, but he leaves with something greater: trust in Christ’s word. That’s not a small shift. In a culture (and a moment) that expected healers to be physically present to perform signs, this man does something remarkable—he takes Jesus at His word and acts accordingly.
This is the kind of faith that pleases God: faith that rests not on what is seen, but on what is said.
There’s a quiet strength here. This man, whose heart was once heavy with fear and urgency, now departs with peace. Not because he saw his son healed, but because Jesus said he would be. He believed before he saw—and that is the essence of biblical faith.
We are reminded here of the creative power of Christ’s word. Just as in the beginning, God spoke the universe into being, so here Jesus speaks life into the body of a dying boy. The Word of God brings light, order, healing, and hope.
J.C. Ryle puts it plainly: “Happy are they who can trust without seeing, and rest on a promise without a visible sign.” And Calvin adds, “This man shows the true obedience of faith, for he immediately set out—resting solely on the word of Christ.”
This is not just a historical account. It’s a call to each of us: Will you believe the word of Christ when you cannot yet see the result?
Reflection Questions:
- Are there areas in your life where you are waiting to “see” before you believe?
- What would it look like today to simply take Jesus at His word?
- How can you cultivate a deeper trust in Scripture as the living, powerful voice of Christ?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help us to believe Your word even when we cannot see the outcome. Teach us to rest in Your promises, knowing that You are faithful and true. Give us hearts like this official—ready to obey, willing to trust, and content with Your word alone. Let us find peace not in circumstances, but in You. In Your name, Amen.
Covenant Presbyterian Church 