No Litmus Test

As John tells us the story, Jesus made two early in His ministry appearances to Cana of Galilee.  The first time was to attend a wedding where He turned water into wine which John described as "the first of His signs."  (John 2:11)  On His second trip He did a long distance healing of a royal official whose son was sick in Capernaum.  The official found Jesus in Cana of Galilee and "begged Him to come down and heal his son..."  (John 4:47)  Much to the dismay of the man, Jesus did not go, but instead said to him, "Go; your son will live."  (John 4:50)  As was always the case, Jesus was a man of His word.  This was as John puts it, "the second sign."  (John 4:54)

 One of the interesting things which happened that day is what did not happen.  There were no pre-conditions required for the act of healing.  No questions were asked to determine the father's worthiness.  The heart broken father did not have to be of a certain religious persuasion, or answer some theological question rightly, or even profess belief in Jesus.  The man's belief is only mentioned after Jesus spoke words of life to him.    

One of the problems which has stood in the way of our acts of kindness is the litmus test we often silently impose on the one who is in need.  On too many occasions when need met us eyeball to eyeball, we quietly measured worthiness, or need, or genuineness of faith.  Jesus did not ask the hurting man to meet some requirement before helping, He just reached out with love and kindness to do what He could do.  It is a good model for any of us to follow when human need crosses our path.