So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.

Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.

Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth.

And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.

It is one thing to believe (accept what someone says or what we read) and quite another to experience belief. This is the difference in spreading the Word and reaping the harvest!! Remember the last lesson! Spreading the Word is like making a peanut butter sandwich: it is somewhat nourishing; but, its nourishment is used up in the everyday workings of that which it is intended to nourish. Sometimes it goes straight through! Back to the parable of the sower. In order to reap the harvest, the Word we spread must become a reality to those who hear it. If someone believes your testimony, your word, “the signs and wonders” which God has wrought in your life; then, they just might inquire about the reality behind them; and, then, God will display His power in “signs and wonders” just for them. Then, and only then, will believing become true belief. This process can be condensed by our demonstration of the power of God in an immediate way. Later…..

In this instance, the “nobleman” was definitely not like the “centurion” we’ll discuss later (You know who I’m talking about). This guy was probably of the religious crowd who thought he was worthy to tell God to come into his world, and do what he wanted done. “Come down to my place and heal my son who’s dying.” “Nobleman” is a term describing anyone from the nobility, to high ranking officials, and religious leaders (anyone who thinks more highly of themselves than they ought). We all fall into this category when we tell God He needs our advice about what to do, just because we think it is what He ought to do. Hey! We’ve already seen the signs and wonders. If what He has done for you is not signs and wonders, you’ve missed something! You’ve missed the experience!!

The nobleman’s statement is just what the world is crying today, “Come down ere my son die”. The nobleman’s “son” is that Self of which he thinks so highly. In the natural world, death is the end of the “son” as they see him. The world, in general, does not know that God has already “come down”. They’re crying out for proof. But “proof”, as they know proof, is never proof positive. Every scientist knows that every discovery is the door to another discovery, so that the end cannot be known. But, God is the end of the law (knowledge) for all who believe. So, it is by signs and wonders actually experienced that the world (and we) can truly believe. It’s hard for them to believe what Jesus says, “Go thy way; thy son liveth.” That’s because He’s talking about spiritual matters. We know we live, because He lives (in each of us as the Holy Spirit), AND, we’ve seen the signs and wonders.

When the father knew for a fact (experienced) that God had healed his son, then, “himself believed, and his whole house”. That is, everyone else that experienced the signs and wonders. His first believing was faith, which he acted upon by going home. Everything we believe without actual experience is accepted on faith, EVERYTHING. And, when we act on that faith, often many, many times, before our believing becomes in us truly believing in that knowledge as a fact.

Now, back to my earlier statement: This process can be condensed by our demonstration of the power of God in an immediate way. It is paramount that we understand the difference between a demonstration of and the actual power of God. A demonstration is when we act upon our true belief in the power of God. Remember the paralytic brought before Jesus? “When He beheld their (the ones bringing the helpless one) faith…..” Paul, the apostle, said, “I came not…but in demonstration of the power of the Spirit…” If we truly believe, what is to hinder us in demonstrating the power of God? It is not our lack of faith: you either have faith or you don’t (kinda like being pregnant). It is our lack of true belief; our lack of confidence in God. “…I (have) written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” Do we not know that God will reveal Himself to others if we will ask Him? How is He revealed? By signs and wonders!! Then, why don’t we ask; on the spot; in that instance when someone needs God revealed? HE WILL DO IT!! If, and only when, we ask!!

How can someone else have faith; nay, confidence in God if He is not revealed?? You say, “only if it’s God’s will.” His stated will is that “all should come to repentance”. The first step is for God to be revealed, shown to be real; both, for us and the world!!