Guest Post: A Desperate Situation

Today’s post was written by my friend Jean, who you will hear more about later this week. She is a gifted writer and a beautiful, wise Christian. I know you will love her as much as I do!

******************************************************************************************

John 4:46-47 (NIV)
Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum.

When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.

The scene is the sleepy town of Cana in Galilee. I’m guessing it was abuzz with the news that Jesus was back in town. Maybe folks remembered that wedding miracle He had performed and wondered what He would do this time.

Right in the middle of visiting with His childhood neighbors Jesus was interrupted by a government official from Capernaum. However, instead of marching in with his entourage, trumpets blaring, guardsmen pushing the crowds out of his way, this official threw every ounce of dignity to the wind. He elbowed his way through the crowd and flung himself to the ground at Jesus’ feet. His expensive robes crumpled into the dirt around Jesus’sandals. Maybe he grabbed the Master’s robe and pleaded into its dusty folds.

“Please, Sir. Come to my home and heal my son. He will surely die without your help. I beg you, Sir. Please.” Tears puddle at Jesus’ feet. The man groveled. He begged. He was desperate.

Aren’t we all sometimes? Sooner or later some circumstance of our lives drives us into the dust at the Savior’s feet. Some event or failure or decision we’ve made pushes us to desperation. This man’s precious son was dying. All hope was gone. He was in a desperate situation holding on for dear life to a carpenter’s homespun robe.

We’re often like that official. Not until we’ve exhausted all of our own resources do we abandon our self-importance and run wildly into the presence of Jesus. But when we do-

When we do let go of our own schemes and solutions, we find Jesus standing there waiting to help us.

Jesus told that desperate dignitary to go back home. “Your son will live.” (vs. 50) Your problem will be solved. Your request will be granted. Your nightmare will end.

Verse 50 tells us simply that the man took Jesus at His word. So can you and I, friend. No matter what our desperate situation may be, we can take Jesus at His word.

Dear Jesus, When life flies out of control, when we’ve used up all our options and have no place else to run, may that desperation drive us straight to You.

Amen

11 Responses to Guest Post: A Desperate Situation

  1. September 24, 2008 #

    Great thoughts, Jean, I enjoyed reading your perspective, esp your description of Jesus in “sleepy” Cana. Thanks for sharing your work!

  2. September 24, 2008 #

    I agree, TJ. This is a beautiful post, and it moved me deeply. Thank you, Jean.

  3. September 25, 2008 #

    Thank you for this descriptive post, Jean.
    I praise God for the circumstances that have driven me into the dust at Jesus’ feet!
    Love,
    Judi

  4. September 25, 2008 #

    Jean, I had just visited your blog when I popped over here to check out Renae’s — and here you were again! 🙂 God bless as you share your thoughts and guest post on Morning Coffee!

  5. September 25, 2008 #

    Jean, I feel that your post today was written for me (Renae’s mom). Thank you and Thank God. I am truly in the dust at Jesus’ feet. I know that he will lift this family up again. Sue

  6. September 25, 2008 #

    Praise the Lord! I pray each time I sit at the computer that the words clicked out will comfort, encourage, or help someone.

    Blessings,
    Jean

  7. September 25, 2008 #

    Very short as I’m using the on-screen keyboard. Praying. Mark 11:24
    xx

  8. September 25, 2008 #

    Thanks, Jackie

  9. September 25, 2008 #

    I just love sitting with my Savior! Lovely post!

  10. September 25, 2008 #

    Thanks, Sarah! Jean is pretty awesome, isn’t she?

  11. September 27, 2008 #

    A wonderful post, Jean! Being old enough to look back is more valuable than I ever thought it would be! Now I can look back at my own life and see the truth of what you have written reflected in it. The terrible, difficult, heart-wrenching times have, in the end, been my blessings.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.