July 7, 2019

In the healing of the official’s son, we see Jesus perform a miracle from a distance, and he performs a miracle that could have possibly been interpreted as having a different cause. Because Jesus wasn’t there and because the timing of the healing was conveyed secondhand, the official could have chosen to believe that it was all some crazy coincidence. But, because of his softened heart, the official (and his whole family) saw this sign for what it truly was: a demonstration of God’s glorious power to stoke the fires of their genuine faith.

Application Questions

1. When you think of miracles, do you usually think of how limited they are in scope and impact? If not, why not?
2. How does the recording of Jesus’ signs in the gospels stoke the fires of your genuine faith?
3. What keeps you from recognizing the “less common kinds of God’s action” in your life as God’s “signs” (miracles), designed to display his glory and stoke the fires of your genuine faith?
4. How do the “signs” (miracles) you have seen in your own life stoke the fires of your genuine faith?