Unfolding Faith

It is a story which might begin with the words, "Meanwhile back in Cana of Galilee where Jesus had changed water into wine..."  (John 4:46).  John, the gospel writer, seems to take us on a long extended journey with Jesus as He goes from Cana of Galilee, to Jerusalem, to the Judean countryside, to the Samaritan village of Sychar, to the countryside of Galilee again, and then back to Cana of Galilee.  Cana of Galilee is remembered as the place where the water was turned into wine and as the 4th chapter comes to an end, it is described as the place where Jesus did a second sign which revealed His glory.    

This second sign involved a government official whose son was dying.  The official went to Jesus begging Him to come and heal his son.  In response to his plea, Jesus said, "Go, your son will live."  (John 4:50)  The faith of this Gentile is made more amazing in that Jesus had not according to John performed any healing miracles.  What he was asking of Jesus was beyond anything he had seen, and yet, he believed.  "The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started his way." (John 4:50).  When he arrived home to see his son alive, the Word says, "So he himself believed, along with his whole household." (John 4:53)   

Some may come to belief so suddenly it is like the experience of Saul of Tarsus, but so many others discover that faith unfolds in the heart like the first glow of light on the eastern horizon each morning.  It seems faint but sure, and finally becomes bold and bright, overpowering all the darkness and doubt.  Such was the experience of this brokenhearted father whose son was thought to be dead, and such is also descriptive of many of us whose eyes are slowly opened to the possibilities within the unfolding mysterious realities which are always around us.