Lent Day 8: Government Official

Pause

Focus your heart and mind on Christ by listening to a favorite worship song or hymn. Ask God to guide you by His Spirit as you read His Word and open your heart to what He has to show you today.

Read & Journal

Read John 4:46-54. Consider these questions:

• What does this interaction with the government official teach you about Jesus’ character? About His purpose or mission?

• How do you see Jesus entering into human brokenness in this passage?

• The official asked Jesus to come to his house to heal his son, but began the return journey—without Jesus—believing what Jesus had said was true, that his son would be healed. What does this reveal about the man’s faith?

• What are some moments in your faith journey when you have responded to Jesus in great faith, taking Him at His word? How will you celebrate those moments today?

Ponder

The government official was a desperate man. His son was dying, and he had to do something—even if it meant grasping at straws like asking the Jewish teacher everyone said was capable of miracles to do something. In his desperation, the man came to Jesus with his request, but Jesus stopped him in his tracks: “If you’re just here because you think I’m some sort of ‘wonder-working, cure-all magician,’ you can turn around.”1 It was a sharp criticism, aimed at those who seemed to desire miracles, signs and wonders before they would believe in Jesus.

But the man persisted, and Jesus responded. When Jesus commanded the man to go home, the official did it. He didn’t know that what Jesus had said—his son would live—was true, but He accepted Jesus’ word in faith and obeyed. He stepped forward in faith.

The government official didn’t just say he believed; he heard Jesus’ command, and he acted. Often, we say we believe Jesus is at work in a difficult situation or circumstance, then act as if we must manage it all ourselves, that it is solely up to us to find a solution or relief. But sometimes, we must simply take Jesus at His word, believe His promises, and step forward in faith—even when we don’t have the promise of a miracle, that things will turn out how we want them to, and especially when we don’t understand.

1 Gerald Bourchet, The New American Commentary, Volume 25A: John 1-11. Broadman and Holman Publishers: Nashville, Tennessee, 1996.

A Note from Mandy:

It's funny how something you wrote two years ago can smack you in the face a little. That's how I felt as I read this passage of Scripture and today's journal prompts and devotion. I'm a fixer by nature. I want relationships to be whole and undivided. I want people to get along, for everyone to be happy. When there is strife or disconnection in relationships, I often find my brain on constant scan, trying to figure out solutions, options and next steps.

But right now, I'm in a situation where resolution does not currently seem likely. I've done all that I can, and there is nothing I can do to fix the problem. I have to trust it to God and believe that he is who he says he is: faithful, true, enduring, abounding in mercy and love. In other words, I have to believe God and walk on with my life, trusting in him to work according to his character, just like the government official in today's passage.

I was reading in 1 Samuel today, the familiar passage of Hannah praying desperately for a child. In fact, Hannah's anguish while praying was so acute that the priest, Eli, thought she was drunk and sharply reprimanded her. Hannah explained that she was praying, and Eli offered a blessing, "Go in peace and may God grant the request you've made." 1 Samuel 1:18 says that Hannah went on her way, ate, and no longer looked despondent. Like the government official, she stepped forth in faith, believing God would keep his word.

Today, whatever circumstances you're facing, it's my prayer that we lift them up to God and give them to him. We have to stop trying to manage the problem or find our own solution and simply trust, though there's really nothing simple about it. Today, may we give the situation we're trying to fix to him, trust his character and walk forth in faith, believing that God will keep his word.