Restoration begins now

Jesus heals an official’s son. - John 4: 46-54

When the father arrives home, his servants meet him with
astonishing news: his son is alive.

He asks, “What time did he begin to recover?” 

They answer: “Yesterday at one in the afternoon.”

It was the exact hour Jesus had spoken.  John wants us to notice the precision. The
Word spoken at a distance carried life in that very moment. This healing was
not random. It was restoration.

But it was also something more. It was a glimpse of what
Jesus ultimately came to do.

On Ash Wednesday we were reminded: from dust we came, to
dust we shall return. Our bodies are temporary. Our time is limited. We are, in
many ways, fragile creatures.

And yet, here is Jesus already in the business of restoring
life.

He does not wait until Easter to demonstrate resurrection
power. He begins now—handing life back in the midst of ordinary days. How many
times has your life been handed back to you?

After grief that nearly swallowed you.

After a mistake that could have defined you.

After exhaustion that drained your spirit.

After a season when hope felt thin.

Sometimes resurrection does not look like dramatic reversal.
Sometimes it looks like renewed courage. Or restored peace. Or even simply strength for
another day.

Jesus is not only preparing you for heaven someday.  He is restoring you now.

Risen Lord, thank you for the ways you restore life in the middle of my ordinary days. Help me receive that gift with gratitude. Amen.

^{This piece is offered by Sterling United Methodist Church and was written in collaboration between Rev. Bert Cloud and Sharon Rosenfeld. It is inspired by the book Seven Miracles: Signs of Life in the Gospel of John by Gina Anderson-Cloud, Megan Dietrick, Bill Gray, Daniel Park, Isaiah Park & Lauren Todd}