Lent Day 11 [3.2.2026] Jehovah Rapha

Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." So he and his whole household believed. - John 4:53

Scripture: John 4:43-54

Jesus’ interaction with the Jews in Galilee shows a clear difference between the faith of the Jews and the faith of the Samaritans. This difference provides for a clear definition of what faith really is and the willingness of Jesus to submit Himself in humility to provide it.

Jesus was from Nazareth, a town in Galilee, where He grew up for most of His life. They had heard of the many great wonders and miracles Jesus had performed in Jerusalem and welcomed Him upon His arrival. This would have been a heart-warming return for Jesus; however, before the story unfolds, John takes note of Jesus’ words that a prophet has no honor in His own country. This changes the context and motive of the entire story for Jesus’ welcoming party served as a bribe more than an embrace.

Upon the words of the Samaritan women, the entire town came to meet the Messiah, but for the Jews who had claimed that they were the chosen people of God, they came to ask Jesus for signs and wonders. Jesus visits Cana once more and there a certain royal official asks Jesus to heal his son. Knowing their hearts, Jesus points out their lack of faith and ulterior motives yet heals the son from afar. As the official is returning home, he receives word that his son has recovered and realizes that Jesus had healed him. This realization leads to salvation for him and his whole household.

This story shows us that faith is humble desperation. Jesus was not just a miracle-worker or a prophet, He is the Son of God. Many came out to welcome Jesus, not as the Messiah but as one who can serve their physical needs and wants. Amongst them there was one who came to Jesus in desperation. Jesus hears the need of the official and meets his need with a miracle, but before this Jesus clearly states the motive and reason why this miracle would take place. The miracle would not be because of the pleas of the official rather so that all would believe in who He is.

There are moments when our faith takes a wrong turn. Sometimes we look for the healing more than the healer, the blessings more than the giver, and the answer more than the teacher. We condition our faith to be transactional when in truth we have already received the greatest miracle of salvation in Jesus Christ. Whether He heals or not, blesses or not, speaks or not, He has already provided eternal life through His incarnation, sacrifice, and resurrection. Lent is not a bribe for favor, and our moral living does not convince God to meet our desires. Lent is finding rest in knowing Jesus for who He is and receiving Him in our hearts.

Reflection:

1.     What are some worldly desires and concerns that we need to let go to meet Jesus in the right way?

2.     How can we trust that He will meet our needs in miraculous ways even when we feel unworthy and broken?

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for the opportunity to reexamine my heart and faith. The concerns and worries of this life often make my prayers about things that I need, but I know you know them before I even ask. Help me to desire you alone this lent season. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

제목: 여호와 라파 (Jehovah Rapha)

본문: 요한복음 4:43-54

갈릴리에서 예수님이 유대인들과 나누신 만남은 유대인들의 믿음과 사마리아인들의 믿음이 얼마나 다른지를 분명하게 보여 줍니다. 이 차이는 “참된 믿음이 무엇인지”를 선명하게 정의해 주며, 그 믿음을 주시기 위해 예수님께서 겸손히 자신을 낮추시는 모습을 드러냅니다.

예수님은 갈릴리의 한 마을 나사렛에서 자라셨습니다. 갈릴리 사람들은 예수님께서 예루살렘에서 행하신 놀라운 표적과 기적의 소문을 듣고 그분을 반갑게 맞이했습니다. 겉으로 보기에는 예수님께 매우 따뜻한 환영처럼 보였을지 모릅니다. 그러나 이야기가 본격적으로 시작되기 전에, 요한은 예수님의 말씀을 덧붙입니다. “선지자가 자기 고향에서는 존경을 받지 못한다.” 이 말씀은 그 환영의 분위기와 동기를 완전히 다른 시각으로 보게 만듭니다. 예수님을 맞이한 그들의 환대는 진심 어린 품어 줌이라기보다, 무엇인가를 얻기 위한 ‘대가’처럼 보이기도 합니다.

사마리아 여인의 말로 인해 온 동네 사람들이 메시아를 만나러 나아왔던 것과 달리, 하나님의 선택받은 백성이라 주장하던 유대인들은 예수님께 “표적과 기적”을 요구했습니다. 예수님께서 다시 가나에 오셨을 때, 한 왕의 신하(관리)가 찾아와 아들의 병을 고쳐 달라고 간청합니다. 예수님은 그들의 마음을 아시고 믿음의 부족함과 숨은 동기를 지적하십니다. 그러나 예수님은 멀리서도 그 아들을 고쳐 주십니다. 신하가 집으로 돌아가는 길에 아들이 나았다는 소식을 듣고, 바로 그 시간이 예수님께서 말씀하신 때와 일치함을 깨닫습니다. 그 깨달음은 그와 그의 온 집안이 예수님을 믿고 구원에 이르게 하는 계기가 됩니다.

이 이야기는 믿음이 무엇인지 보여 줍니다. 믿음은 겸손한 간절함입니다. 예수님은 단지 기적을 행하는 분이나 훌륭한 선지자가 아니라 하나님의 아들이십니다. 많은 사람들이 예수님을 환영했지만, 메시아로 모신 것이 아니라 자신의 육체적 필요와 욕구를 채워 줄 분으로 기대했습니다. 그들 가운데 오직 한 사람은 절박함으로 예수님께 나아왔습니다. 예수님은 그 관리의 필요를 들으시고 기적으로 채워 주셨지만, 그 전에 분명히 동기를 드러내십니다. 이 기적은 관리의 간청이 대가가 되어서 일어난 것이 아니라, 모든 사람이 예수님이 누구신지 믿게 하기 위해 일어납니다.

우리의 믿음도 때때로 잘못된 방향으로 향할 때가 있습니다. 우리는 치유보다 치유하시는 분을, 축복보다 주시는 분을, 해답보다 가르치시는 분을 더 갈망해야 하는데, 종종 그 순서가 뒤바뀝니다. 그러다 보면 믿음을 거래처럼 만들기도 합니다. 그러나 우리는 이미 예수 그리스도 안에서 구원이라는 가장 큰 기적을 받았습니다. 예수님께서 고쳐 주시든 아니든, 복을 주시든 아니든, 말씀하시는 듯 느껴지든 아니든, 그분은 이미 성육신과 십자가의 희생, 그리고 부활을 통해 우리에게 영원한 생명을 주셨습니다.

사순절은 하나님의 호의를 얻기 위한 ‘뇌물’이 아닙니다. 우리의 도덕적 삶이 하나님을 설득해서 우리의 욕망을 들어주시게 만드는 것도 아닙니다. 사순절은 예수님이 누구신지 바로 알고, 그분 안에서 쉼을 얻으며, 그분을 마음에 모시는 시간입니다.

묵상 질문 (Reflection)

1. 예수님을 올바르게 만나기 위해 내려놓아야 할 세상의 욕심과 염려는 무엇인가요?

2. 내가 부족하고 깨어졌다고 느낄 때에도, 주님께서 놀라운 방법으로 필요를 채우실 것을 어떻게 신뢰할 수 있을까요?

   
   

기도 (Prayer)

사랑의 하나님, 제 마음과 믿음을 다시 살펴볼 수 있는 기회를 주셔서 감사합니다. 이 삶의 염려와 걱정이 자주 제 기도를 “제가 필요한 것”에만 머물게 하지만, 주님은 제가 구하기 전부터 이미 다 알고 계심을 믿습니다. 이번 사순절 기간 동안 오직 주님만을 갈망하게 해 주세요.예수님의 이름으로 기도합니다. 아멘.