John 4:46 tells of a man whose son was dying. When the man heard Jesus was nearby, he went straight to see Him. The man begged Jesus to come home with him and heal his son.
Jesus didn’t mince words. He said, “…Unless you people are dazzled by a miracle, you refuse to believe.” (John 4:48) It seems Jesus was tired of the unbelief He was encountering.
But the man wasn’t deterred. He knew Jesus was his son’s only hope, so again he asked Jesus to come with him.
“Jesus simply replied, “Go home. Your son lives.” (John 4:50)
“The man believed the bare word Jesus spoke and headed home…” (John 4:50)
The man had no proof his son was alive and well, but he chose to believe the bare word Jesus spoke.
On his way home, the man was met by his servant with news that the boy was well. His fever had left the very moment Jesus announced his son would live.
They were all so excited, the entire household believed in Jesus. Family, servants, and all.
We have the same decision to make in our lives. Will we believe circumstances or God’s promises? When we choose to believe the bare word, it not only affects us, but also our family and all of those around us.
We may have no evidence the things we pray for will ever happen; but if the Bible promises us something, that is all we need to know.
The bare word may be all we have, but it is more than enough.