In these remaining weeks of Lent, the prophet Isaiah presents a vision of what the world of the Resurrection will be like: there will be a new earth and a new heaven where there will be no more mourning or weeping, only gladness and happiness (Isaiah 65: 17-19). The suffering, pain, anxiety, darkness, discomfort and drudgery that we almost become resigned to does not have the final word.
In today’s gospel reading from John, the healing Jesus works for the son of the royal official is a sign that this kingdom of joy and peace has arrived, though not yet in its fullness. All who put their trust in the word of the Messiah open themselves to the life of the Resurrection. In this gospel reading we witness something important about the true nature of faith. This royal official implores Jesus to come and cure his son who is at the point of death. Jesus simply tells the man to go back home and that his son will live. The man believes, and the son lives.
We need to recognize the profound truth that not only did Jesus work a miraculous sign, but so did the official’s believing. The official believed the word of Jesus apart from any signs or miracles, and he then went on to find his faith justified in the cure of his son at that very moment. This falls right in line with the famous words of Jesus to Thomas about how “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed” (John 20:29). Trust in Jesus and in His word brings its own verification in the good that happens within us as a result. There are undoubtedly two approaches to this in Scripture: in many places we do read of the indignation of Jesus, for instance, at those who have seen what He does and still do not believe (Matthew 11: 21-24). Yet here the urging is rather to believe in His word and then to experience the wondrous sign, the miracle which points beyond itself to the fullness of the Resurrection that is our destiny as the beloved sons and daughters of God.
Beliefs in themselves are static. It is faith as a wondrous gift of God that works miracles; there is nothing static about it at all. How is this so? Faith at its depth is not an abstract set of beliefs but rather an energy that sets things in motion. With this wondrous gift of God animating our souls, we believe in other people and bring out the best in them. Good teachers and counselors know this about their students and clients. Students can be believed into greater academic achievement; clients can be believed into better mental and emotional health. Doctors can help patients believe themselves into healing. When spouses believe in each other, and parents believe in their children, wonderful things – Grace-filled things – begin to happen. Faith makes things happen. When we believe in ourselves as God’s beloved sons and daughters, we become enthusiastic; it’s belief we have in our dreams that makes them come true.
And all this, not by our own manufacturing, but only by the gracious gift of God!