March 9
Scripture of the day: "Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and was imploring Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. So Jesus said to him, 'Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.'" John 4:46-48
Thought of the day: Jesus did heal the official's son ... but think about His unusual response to him. The man's son was dying ... his death was imminent. The man had traveled about 20 miles (32km) to implore Jesus to come down to his home to heal his son. If the story paused there, would you recognize that something was wrong? The man illustrated a general problem. Therefore, the response from Jesus was disparaging. "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe."
Challenge of the day: Did the people's clamoring for healing and miracles make Jesus feel like a carnival attraction? And today, why do we follow Him? Is it because of the miracles that He has promised of an abundant and eternal life? Or is it because He is God? What is your one primary reason for following Jesus? What do your motives say to Him?
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