Yes, Brother Jim. It is very sad that those entrusted with the sacred oracles of God have not all been converted. Many were buried alive. Jesus tells us that He would rather we be cold or hot, but not as we are as a people. We believe as a people that we are rich the way we are, and in need of nothing. Whereas those who have never professed to believe can be reached when they hear of the love of God for the first time or come in great need of a Savior as did the nobleman at Capernaum. He had a measure of faith we are told. How is that? The Bible tells us, all are given a measure of faith (Rom. 12:3). In today's reading we get to see what a measure of faith looks like and how it is different from saving faith. As Brother Beacon has shared, saving faith is the victory we all desire.
Notwithstanding all the evidence that Jesus was the Christ, the petitioner had determined to make his belief in Him conditional on the granting of his own request. The Saviour contrasted this questioning unbelief with the simple faith of the Samaritans, who asked for no miracle or sign. His word, the ever-present evidence of His divinity, had a convincing power that reached their hearts. Christ was pained that His own people, to whom the Sacred Oracles had been committed, should fail to hear the voice of God speaking to them in His Son.
Yet the nobleman had a degree of faith; for he had come to ask what seemed to him the most precious of all blessings. Jesus had a greater gift to bestow. He desired, not only to heal the child, but to make the officer and his household sharers in the blessings of salvation, and to kindle a light in Capernaum, which was so soon to be the field of His own labors. But the nobleman must realize his need before he would desire the grace of Christ. This courtier represented many of his nation. They were interested in Jesus from selfish motives. They hoped to receive some special benefit through His power, and they staked their faith on the granting of this temporal favor; but they were ignorant as to their spiritual disease, and saw not their need of divine grace.
Like a flash of light, the Saviour's words to the nobleman laid bare his heart. He saw that his motives in seeking Jesus were selfish. His vacillating faith appeared to him in its true character. In deep distress he realized that his doubt might cost the life of his son. He knew that he was in the presence of One who could read the thoughts, and to whom all things were possible. In an agony of supplication he cried, "Sir, come down ere my child die." His faith took hold upon Christ as did Jacob, when, wrestling with the Angel, he cried, "I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me." Genesis 32:26.
Like Jacob he prevailed. The Saviour cannot withdraw from the soul that clings to Him, pleading its great need. "Go thy way," He said; "thy son liveth." The nobleman left the Saviour's presence with a peace and joy he had never known before. Not only did he believe that his son would be restored, but with strong confidence he trusted in Christ as the Redeemer.
What do we call this experience? Many do not know what we call it, for they have never experienced it and thus they have not spiritual discernment. It is called conversion, the new birth wherein one is transformed from sinner to saint. Yes, at conversion there is a radical transformation of character as we see with the nobleman who came for a selfish reason and seeing the grace of His Savior knowing Jesus was going to heal his son even though he did not deserve this blessing. Grace is more than a word, it is the power that turns sinners into saints. "The nobleman wanted to see the fulfillment of his prayer before he should believe; but he had to accept the word of Jesus that his request was heard and the blessing granted. This lesson we also have to learn. Not because we see or feel that God hears us are we to believe. We are to trust in His promises."
All have a measure of faith to believe there is a God in heaven who can heal the sick, raise the dead, forgive us of all of our sins, and wash our hearts as clean as fresh fallen snow! Miracle of all miracles!!
