When we first met this woman, a widow in Zarephath in the
time of the drought Elijah had foretold because of the wickedness of Jezebel
and her weak husband Ahab, she was prepared to die and also was willing to risk
what little she had in order to provide for this prophet. The Lord had provided a continuous supply of
flour, oil and water for her, her son and Elijah and surely they had marveled
that the supply never ran out and surely they had offered thanks to Him. Now, however, after some time, the boy she
was prepared to see die in the beginning, does indeed die and she confronts
Elijah that this is his fault. Her complaint
is that surely this is the true purpose of his visit to her, the boy’s death is
judgment for some sin in her life. That
conclusion is incredibly natural to us isn’t it? After the boy is brought back to life her
response is that this has proven Elijah to be a man of God and his words are
true. Did the provision of God not serve
as such a sign or did her faith grow in this sign?
The second sign Jesus did was also at Cana in Galilee. This comes after the encounter with the
Samaritan woman and a few days among the Samaritans who came to faith in Jesus,
after He had gone to Jerusalem. At Capernaum
a royal official comes to ask Jesus to help his son. Jesus’ response is that we aren’t to base our
faith on signs and wonders but what has that to do with the man’s request to
heal his son? If he didn’t believe would
he have asked Jesus to heal the boy?
Jesus’ response calls forth a statement of faith which is found in the
belief that if Jesus doesn’t come the boy will die. Finally, Jesus requires faith not in sight
but simply in His Word and the man is able to believe that Jesus can heal
without coming, Extraordinary faith
indeed!
John writes particularly to “the beloved Gaius.” The subject is that this Gaius should support,
in whatever tangible way he is able, these men who have come as strangers to
Gaius and the others, but also as brothers in the Lord. John’s expectation is that the community will
support these missionaries in order to encourage them to continue their journey
of faithful service, having gone out “for the sake of the name.” John also makes a threat to expose Diotrephes
who has set himself above all others, even, apparently, the apostles, and
hinders others work. We are indeed to
welcome those who come to us in faith and with the Word and the Spirit, and we
are to provide for them as we are able to encourage their faith.
Sing, choirs of
angels, sing in exultation;
O sing, all ye
citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all
glory in the highest;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
See how the shepherds,
summoned to His cradle,
Leaving their flocks,
draw nigh to gaze;
We too will thither
bend our joyful footsteps;
Refrain
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