A matter of trust

March 20, 2007

By Greg Ebie

What does it mean to say, “You’ve got my word on it” or that someone is “true to his/her word”? To give your word is to put your integrity on the line; if you are going to be true to your word you are committed to living as a person of upright character, to being trustworthy.

Do we believe Jesus is true to His word? Be careful before you answer that. It isn’t good enough just to say we believe His word. Making such a statement is to give our word, so if we say we believe what Jesus says, then we must live like it.

During His earthly ministry, Jesus grew in popularity among the people. When people heard His teaching and saw the miraculous signs He performed they put their faith in Him. Word about Jesus was getting around.

A certain nobleman from Capernaum had heard about Jesus. When his son lay sick and dying this man went to find Jesus in Cana. When he found Jesus he begged him to come with him to heal his son. Jesus initial response was essentially, “Will you people ever take Me at My word, or must you always see proof of who I am?”

The father did not answer Jesus, but again just simply asked Jesus to come and heal his child before it was too late.

“Jesus replied, ‘You may go. Your son will live.’ The man took Jesus at his word and departed” (John 4:50, NIV).

This man didn’t wait to see proof; he took Jesus at His word and left. In other words, even before the man had any evidence his son had been healed, he believed Jesus and his actions demonstrated his faith in Christ.

John gives us the rest of the story as the servants from this man’s house came to tell him his son was well. It turned out the boy recovered at the moment Jesus had spoken the word.

Jesus’ word is trustworthy. It is our word that is in question. Do you believe His word or not? Back up your answer by how you live today.

D. Greg Ebie is senior pastor of Praise Assembly of God in Garrettsville, Ohio, and an author of Daily Bread devotionals.