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The Price of Faith
John’s gospel story of the cure of the son of a royal official is similar to stories in Matthew (8:5-13), and Luke (7:1-10). In John, the story has a curious twist. Jesus first rebukes the man who comes to him for help. Imagine being one of Jesus’ disciples witnessing the event:
We saw a man riding toward us on horseback at urgent speed. He was handsomely equipped and led another, riderless horse. When he reached us, we recognized Chuza, Chief Steward to Herod Antipas in Capernaum. He said he had learned only that morning that Jesus was returning from Judea to Galilee. He begged him to come down with him to Capernaum and heal his son who was at the point of death. The extra horse was for Jesus to ride.
Jesus’ response was unexpected and sharp-edged: “Unless you people see signs and wonders you will not believe.”
Chuza had come all the way from Capernaum to plead for Jesus’ help, implying he did believe in Jesus and did not need a ‘sign.’ Why did Jesus rebuke him? How would Chuza respond? He could become angry at Jesus’ rebuke. He was a man of authority, accustomed to being obeyed. Would he command Jesus to come? Would he offer a handsome fee for Jesus’ help? Instead, he said simply, “Sir, please come down with me before my little boy dies.”
Jesus said to him, “Go home. Your son will live.”
Chuza was now faced with another dilemma. Must he simply take Jesus at his word? It was a risk. It demanded complete faith concerning the most important thing in his life. When Chuza gave orders to his subordinates, they reliably obeyed. Would Jesus’ authority over heavenly things likewise be obeyed? Would he summon that power for Chuza’s son? We watched Chuza struggle in fear.
Chuza nodded acceptance, hurried to his horse, and rode back to Capernaum. On the way, his servants came to tell him his son had revived just at the hour when Jesus proclaimed that he would live.
Jesus’ rebuke summoned from Chuza the depth of faith he needed to save his son. Jesus heals through our own faith. Chuza was man enough to sacrifice his pride and power: the price of faith. In Matthew and Luke, Jesus says, “Truly, nowhere in Israel have I seen such faith.” May our faith, like Chuza’s, be strengthened during this Lent.
Carter Keithley
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