Breaking the Word

4^th week in Lent, Monday – 11^th March 2024 – Isaiah 65,17-21; John 4,43-54

Model of Firm Trust

Speaking not only to the royal official, but to the Jewish people in general, Jesus reminded them of a national characteristic. It is their desire to see ‘signs’ and ‘wonders’ before they would believe. Signs are miracles that have a deep meaning or significance. Wonders are miracles that cause men to be amazed by their supernatural qualities. Jesus was not pleased with a faith that was based on miracles. He wishes to teach that we should first believe, and then we will see wonders. Jesus presents the royal official, who with persistence of faith, believed that Jesus would do his son good. He came to Jesus directly and implored him to come down and heal his dying son. In this sense, he seems to have a great trust in Jesus than most of his fellow countrymen. Therefore Jesus rewarded him for the measure of faith, by performing healing based on His Word alone and at a distance. Here we see the man’s faith growing. When Jesus sent him home with the promise, “your son lives”, immediately he walked back. On his return, when he met his servants who told him of his son who lives, the royal official was not at all shocked by their announcement. The son had been healed without any miracle or visible proof. He had believed the promise of the Lord Jesus, and having believed, he would now see evidence. From this the royal official learned that it was not necessary for the Lord Jesus to be physically present to work a miracle or answer prayer.

3^rd week in Lent, Friday – 8^th March 2024 – Hosea 14,2-10; Mark 12,28-34

Greenness of God’s Love

In this closing part of the book of Hosea, the prophet speaks about turning away from our sins and returning to the Lord. More than any other prophet, Hosea is very descriptive about God’s love for His people. He invites the people who are close to God’s heart to return to Him. He says, the troubles they have been experiencing are due to their alienation from God. If they will only come back to Him, where they belong, they will bear rich fruit, produce a fragrant smell, and have abundant life. God is only too anxious to shower his love and gifts on them. God brings healing for them saying, “I shall cure them of disloyalty, I shall love them with all my heart” (Hos 14,4). And He promises abundant blessings expressed in lovely phrases taken from plant life, “I will be like the dew for Israel, they will blossom like the lily – they will strike root like the forests of Lebanon and put forth shoots splendid as the olive tree – fragrant as a cedar of Lebanon – produce grain and blossom like the vine – become as famous as the wine of Lebanon” (Hos 14, 5-7). God compares himself to the greenness of a cypress tree, a source of life and fruitfulness for his people. Thus, God continues to manifest His total and unconditional love for his chosen people.