The Gospel for the Twenty-First Sunday after Trinity comes from John 4:46-54. A "nobleman" (probably an official for the Herodian family in Galilee) approaches Jesus. He wants Jesus to come and heal his critically ill young son. Our Lord's first response is to remark on the excessive desire for outward signs among the Galileans (probably including the official). Jesus wants the man and others to have a deeper faith. So, He does not go with the official; He simply assures the man that his son will be healed and live. The official accepts Christ's promise. The child is healed, and the official and his household come to faith in Jesus.
God's healing power and grace work through Jesus Christ in many ways. In this example, 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, humans tend to concentrate more on dramatic externals than on the underlying essentials: the power of the divine word and the need for faith. In this healing, Jesus simply offers a word of promise. To this word, the official responds in faith. This encounter teaches us that God in Christ can use various means to reach out in His grace. We simply need to heed our Lord. We need to have faith in Christ and His word.
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