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The Desire of Ages
besought the Saviour to accompany him to his home. But already his
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sorrow was known to Jesus. Before the officer had left his home, the
Saviour had beheld his affliction.
But He knew also that the father had, in his own mind, made
conditions concerning his belief in Jesus. Unless his petition should be
granted, he would not receive Him as the Messiah. While the officer
waited in an agony of suspense, Jesus said, “Except ye see signs and
wonders, ye will not believe.”
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
.