Trinity XXI- John 4:46-54

The Gospel for the Twenty-First Sunday after Trinity comes from John 4:46-54.  A "nobleman" or "official" wants Jesus to come and heal his critically ill son. Perhaps surprisingly, our Lord does not agree to come. Instead, He comments on the excessive popular desire for outward signs and assures the man that his son will be healed and live. 

There are many different ways that God's healing power and grace work through Jesus Christ.  On this occasion, our Lord makes a striking point. He notes the excessive human dependence on signs and wonders. Of course, Jesus Christ does perform many signs and wonders, and they are a real and important expression of His work. However, human beings have tendencies to become too focused on dramatic externals and to ignore the underlying essentials: the power of the divine word and the response of faith. In this healing, there is simply a word from Jesus, a declaration that the father's prayer for his son is answered.  To this word, the official responds in faith. This encounter serves to teach us that God in Christ can use various means to reach out in His grace. And sometimes, as in this case, we simply need to have faith in Christ and His word.