World Class

We have seen Jesus turn water into wine, tell a woman her history which in the natural he had no way of knowing and heal a boy without so much as giving a command for the healing.

When he turned the water into wine, only the servants (the lower class of people) knew about the miracle. The Head waiter is surprised at the better tasting wine, but scripture says he did not know where it came from (John2:2). Again Jesus is speaking to the under privileged class when he speaks to the Samaritan woman. Finally in the case of the Father and his son Jesus ministers to the upper class (the nobleman).

So far, most of Jesus' ministry is to the poor and lower class. Jesus is about to heal a poor man who is crippled and has no one to assist him.

Now think about where we tend to want to minister? How about a nice, beautiful building with stain glass windows or prayer towers, or steeples, or mega congregations? How about conferences in Hawaii or Florida or world class cruises? How about the poor under the bridge, or the homeless shelter in my neighborhood?

No? Not on your street? Interesting.

From a Distance

A nobleman had a son who was near death. There is reason to believe he had been at the wedding when Jesus turned the water into wine (John 4:46). He knew Jesus could heal his son if he could only convince him to come to his home (John 4:46-47). But when he asks Jesus to come, he receives what sounds like a rebuke. “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe” (John 4:48).

The father is not daunted from his quest. He simple pleads, “Sir come down before my child dies.” Jesus is pleased with his faith. “Go your way; your son lives.” Scripture tells us that the son was healed on the exact moment Jesus said those words (John 4:46-54).

There will be times when God heals us instantaneously. A wonderful time of thanksgiving and praise comes from our heart and lips when God intervenes on our behalf.

Sowing and Reaping Together

As you may remember, Jesus had sent his disciples into town to buy food (John 4:8). He uses the shopping trip to teach them. “I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored: others have labored, and you have entered into their labors” (John 4:36).

The disciples had given money in exchange for food. They had not planted the vegetables, nor weeded the garden, nor watered the plants. But they enjoyed the fruit of the other people’s labor by giving the money. Even the money they used had been given them by supporters and was not from their own labor (Mt 27:55-56; Luke 8:3).

So it is with bringing someone to Christ. We may be those who plant the seed. We may be those who water the plants. We may be the teacher that weeds out the false teaching. Or we may be the one who is privileged to do the harvesting when someone makes the final commitment to Christ. “…both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together” (John 4:36).

Work and Food

Jesus often took his disciples by surprise. They had gone into town to buy food (John 4:8) but when they offered him something to eat upon their return he responded, “I have food of which you do not know” (John 4:32). They supposed someone else had served him a meal. Jesus explains, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish his work” (John 4:34).

Was he being mystical to call doing God’s work food? I don’t think so. Working for God literally brings life to us. Knowing we are working for the glory of God lifts our spirits. When we are not weighed down with worry, we are much healthier physically. Trusting God wards off diseases which are the result of being anxious.

Trusting God means resting in his ability and desire to do good in, through and for you (Psalm 139, Ephesians 2:10).