Yesterday, I had the privilege of teaching Sunday School to 1st and 2nd graders. Our lesson was supposed to be focused on "Jesus does great things." I had the students all act out the story of a government official in Cana (a city) asking Jesus to heal his dying son in Capernaum (another city). Jesus told him that they wouldn't believe unless they saw signs and miracles happen in front of them. Again, the official asked Jesus to come to his son to heal him. Jesus told him, "Go; your son will live." Jesus did not leave with the official, but the official believed Jesus and headed back home. On his way, his servants met him to tell him that the son was recovering. The official asked them at what time did he start getting better. It was confirmed that it was at the same time as the conversation with Jesus! From then on, this government official and his household believed in the power of Jesus.
The point of the lesson was supposed to be, "Jesus does great things." This story supported that lesson, but a student asked a question. She had been the one to act as the dying son. She asked, "Is this a true story?" She is in 2nd grade! I thought that was a marvelous question. No one but myself had a Bible available, so we found the story in the Book of John. The words had been simplified a bit in the children's lesson, but the gist of it was still there. Why, yes, children, this is a true story. What is written in the Bible is Truth. It is not a book of feel-good stories about a man who went around teaching and healing people. It is not a book of rules that people should follow to become wise. It is not a book of promises that may or may not come true. The Holy Bible is the Word of God to humankind.
PLEASE, read the bible with an open mind, and an open heart. I am no expert on how the Bible was put together, but I am an avid reader of it. To find out if something is in the Scriptures or not, continue to read it. Ask questions, and ask God.
46 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” 49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. 51 As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour[e] the fever left him.” 53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household.
John 4:36-53 (English Standard Version)
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God[a] may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy3:16-17
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