Faith in Jesus is not always saving faith. The royal official had enough faith in Jesus that he traveled a great distance to ask Jesus to save his sick son. His faith was based on knowledge that Jesus performed a miracle: turning water into wine. It was limited faith. He believed that Jesus had the power to heal, and that Jesus might be willing to heal his son. His faith was also low risk faith; he had nothing to lose. It was a faith of desperation. If Jesus did not heal his son, his son was going to die. It is quite common for nonbelievers to ask Christians to pray for their family and loved ones when they become sick. They do not have enough faith to become Christian, but they have enough faith to know that prayer moves God.

The man’s plea for his son did move God’s heart, and Jesus told him to go home for his son would live. Jesus noted that some people would only believe if they were impressed with signs and wonders. The original disciples of Jesus did not believe because of miracles, they believed because they met Jesus and recognized Him. Reading about Jesus in the Scriptures and seeing His work in the world around us, can lead us to believe. However, saving faith always involves a personal encounter with Christ, the Messiah.

As the father was returning home, his slaves met him and told him that his son was going to live. The son recovered at the exact time that Jesus told the father his boy would live. When the father recognized that a miracle of healing had taken place, he believed Jesus was the Messiah. This was not a faith of desperation, it was a faith of revelation. Saving faith, like all faith, requires both decision and action. He, and his entire household, decided to acknowledge Christ as Messiah. He risked everything by believing in Jesus. Saving faith risks everything, but gains eternity with Jesus.