Jesus Actually Wants you to Trust Him

Welcome

Introduction

How many of you would say you have trust issues?

[STORY]

And we know how corrosive trust issues can be, right? They rust away our relationships.

Trust issues are exhausting because we are always left wondering - when will I be let down again? When will the other shoe drop…how will I hold up my end AND theirs? When will I be betrayed?

But my question is what happens when our trust issues are not relegated only to our earthly relationships. What happens when we develop or recognize that we actually have trust issues with God.

PAUSE

You know, we can be here and sing all we want about how we Trust him…about how we have 10,000 reasons…about how He’s never let us down

AND YET

At the same time, if we’re honest, most of us have a much harder time “trusting God” than we would like to admit. I have a hard time with this - I’ve got trust issues [EXPAND].

See, there’s something formative when those trust issues manifest in the deepest most meaningful relationship we are intended to have with God.

But what if there is a way to work though our divine trust issues? What if there is a way forward through the fog we often navigate alone because we’re actually quite ashamed to admit it to anyone else?

That’s what I want to spend our time exploring today. And if there’s anything I want you to walk away thinking about today, it’s this: Jesus actually wants you to trust Him.

So if you’re not there yet, open up with me to John chapter 4. John 4 and we’ll be in verses 43-54. I’ll read the passage, pray, and we’ll get started.

John 4:43–54 ESV

43 After the two days he departed for Galilee. 44 (For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.) 45 So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast. 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 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. 54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.

PRAY

Rising Action: Story of the Royal Official

Alright, let’s go ahead and get started.

Two Responses to Jesus

The first thing we’re going to see is that this is a story that highlights two different kids responses Jesus - two responses that still show up today.

Jesus is back in the region of Galilee, in the the city of Cana - actually the same city he was in when we looked at John 2 a few weeks ago and the story of Jesus turning water into wine.

And he’s already shared with his disciples that they need to be ready for the first kind of response people will have to him - something they will undoubtedly encounter in his home - and when they arrive, they are immediately met by this group.

Look with me at v. 45 (John 4:45).

John 4:45 ESV

45 So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast.

Now it doesn’t immediately sound like there’s an issue. They welcome Jesus because they are familiar with Him. Many of them had seen the things he’d done in Jerusalem.

But what John wants us to see is that this first group is not primarily interested in Jesus as a teacher - a rabbi - they are interested in Jesus the miracle worker - the one who can do things for them. This is why they’ve welcomed him in the city. They’ve heard the stories about Jesus and wonder, “what would it be like if we could get him to do those same things for me?”

Which I have to admit - seems like a pretty fair response - probably the response that most of us would naturally have to Jesus. If he can heal, why would you not want Him to do that for you…or your spouse…your friend…your child? What’s wrong with that?

Put yourselves in their shoes for a moment.

You can imagine that as Jesus would walks through the streets, people come up and talk with him - desperately pleading with Him to do for them what they’ve heard he can do for so many other people.

In a world where any kind of sickness could easily become life threatening - in a world without any real medication - in world of a lot of unknowns and uncertainties - along comes this guys who, more than just claiming to be able to do the miraculous, has actually done it! Repeatedly. And you’ve seen it!

The most natural question in the world would be: what could he do for me?!

Transition

And yet, while all of these people crowd around him, someone else approaches: an unnamed official from the city of Capernaum.

The Royal Official

Capernaum was about 20 miles away from Cana - and was actually one of the royal residents of the Roman officials who ruled over Israel at the time.

And in the same way that Galilee was filled with those who’ve seen or heard what Jesus is able to do, Capernaum would have been filled with rumors of Him.

John tells us this royal official - someone working closely with the Roman authorities - has heard about Jesus.

And we have to recognize that this is a man out of options.

By virtue of his position, he would have had ample resources to get the best medical attention available to him - and Capernaum would have been a prime spot to be for some of the leading medical advances of the day! This was a man with options who’d clearly run out because as his son is at the point of death, he leaves for a 20 mile, UP HILL march to talk with Jesus.

Think about that for a moment - and you’ll see how desperate this really is. He has no idea how long his son will live or if he’s witnessing the very last moments!

And the only reasonable option to him is to leave to find the one he’s heard about?

Think about how ridiculous this is.

He doesn’t know what Jesus looks like - there’s no pictures.

And it’s not like Jesus’ PR guys are live streaming his activity in Cana, right.

Today, this would be like finding out that you are out of medical options here in Worthington, but you’ve heard about someone in Pickerington who might be able to help…

SO YOU WALK THERE NOT KNOWING WHERE HE’S AT OR WHAT HE EVEN LOOKS LIKE JUST HOPING YOU’LL JUST RUN IN TO HIM!

It would have taken him all day.

But he arrives as the crowds are pressing in around Jesus - everyone else trying to get Him to go with them for the things they’ve got going on.

And this, despised Roman official, walks up to Jesus - and in what he sees as his final option - his last resort - he asks Jesus to come with him back to Capernaum and heal his son.

Look at Jesus response in v. 48 (John 4:48)

John 4:48 ESV

48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”

Now, at first this seems less than compassionate, right?

But the way this is written in the original language, which is Greek, not English, let’s us know that Jesus is not really talking to this official here - but it’s written in the plural, meaning he’s talking to everyone within earshot!

And here is the issue that Jesus is pointing out - in fact - this is the issue that Jesus was warning his disciples about when they first arrived in Galilee.

That most people are really only interested in what Jesus can do for them…in the solutions he can provide for their problems. That’s what he means when he says, “You won’t really believe until you see me do the signs and miracles for you!”

In other words, he’s saying, “You don’t really want me…you want me for what I can do.”

And he looks back at this official, standing there and simply says: “Go, your son will live.”

And here is the WILD part of the story.

Look at v. 50, (John 4:50)

John 4:50 (ESV)

50 …The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.

He actually goes!

Think about that for a moment.

He left his son in what he had every reason to believe were his final moments - to somehow find Jesus - hoping that he hasn’t moved on at this point - and he miraculously DID find Jesus - talked with him - and is told, “Go, your son will love.”

I don’t know…if it were me…if it were you…don’t you think you’d prefer Jesus to come back with you?

At the very least, don’t you think you’d want some kind of assurances from Jesus that it would actually work out? Something to hold on to?

How many of us would actually just go…?

Climax: Jesus actually wants us to trust Him

But I think Jesus’ instruction here is on purpose. What if this is not because he’s too busy…or has too many things going on that he can’t waltz on over to Capernaum…but what if He, in this moment, is seeking to demonstrate what a real trust in Him looks like?

You see, the more I reflect on this story, the more I recognize how I’m not like that Royal Official - who simply trusts Jesus will do what he says he will do - and goes.

And you can imagine that the crowds gathered here would have been so confused by this - because all they would have seen is this man go on his way, not knowing how the story ends.

They don’t know that on the way home, the official is met by some of his servants who inform him that his son has recovered - and that it happened at the same time Jesus told him it would.

But isn’t that interesting? That the people Jesus is actually a bit frustrated with - they don’t get to hear the conclusion of the story - they don’t get to witness this healing - the very thing they are so interested in?

And on top of this, John, in recording this story for us tells us it’s the second “sign” that Jesus did? But if the people there didn’t see the end result…who is was the “sign” for?

Well I think the point that John is trying to get across here has something to do with the kind of response Jesus wants in His followers.

You see, there will always be some who, like the crowds, are merely interested in Jesus as a miracle worker - interested in what he can do for them. But what Jesus is calling his people to is something far more beautiful…something far more simple — and yet at the same time, profoundly challenging. He doesn’t merely want us to trust what he can do for us…Jesus actually wants us to trust Him!

And I love the simplicity of this - that this is the kind of relationship Jesus desires with His people - one of trust. Meaning that we are secure in his care for us - assured of his affection - able to rest! Meaning, we are able to take him at His word - like royal official who hears, “Go” and he goes! What might look foolish to anyone else is this profound picture of the kind of trust Jesus desires us to have in Him!

Friends, is this not the very thing we want in all of our most meaningful relationships? Trust?

Cultural Lie: We actually want to trust ourselves

But if this is what all of us want - why is it that so many of us have such deep and abiding trust issues?

I think it’s because trust is fickle.

All of us know what it’s like to be let down. To have someone else promise to come through and not.

All of us know what it’s like to be betrayed.

And the reason all of us know this is because all of us have been on both ends of this deal - we have been both the betrayed and the betrayer…we have had promises broken and we have broken promises. We have both been let down AND have not lived up to our end!

And this is by no means a way to trivialize the intense betrayal some of us have experienced…

Some of us know all to well the profound damage that takes place we are betrayed, hurt, or abandoned by the ones we should have been able to trust the most…a parent who took advantage of you…or walked away. A spouse who left for someone else…

Those closest to us often have the greatest capacity to hurt us.

At the end of the day, betrayal is part of what it means to be human - none of us is perfect - none of us is flawless - and the haunting reality about our human condition is that we all hold a tremendous capacity to harm one another by breaking their trust. This is simply part of the world we live in - and when we look through the scriptures - we see this is evidence of the curse of sin that affects every one of our relationships.

So of course we have trust issues because how could we not?

The result is, the older we get, the less trusting we become because we naturally tend to guard more and more who we trust and why.

See most of us now trust based on proof. Based on the evidence that someone is in fact trustworthy. Worth to rely upon. Has a record of coming through so that we can feel secure in what they’ve said or promised.

And it is a subtle subtle difference, but this is exactly where the crowds in Cana are at. They want to believe Jesus - they want to trust Him…but the only way they can measure this is through what He does for them - the signs and miracles.

And we might not say it that way today, but how often is it that we end up applying the same standard?

Like the crowds, what we develop is a problem - solution kind of faith.

“I have a problem. Jesus, you have a solution.” “I’m in something but Jesus, you can get me out.” “I’ve created a mess, but You can fix it.” “I’m wounded, broken, hurt…but You can make it better.”

But when that’s how we evaluate it, even if were not there yet, what will be revealed in the end is that what we’re actually interested in all along is the solution to our problem. If Jesus can fix it great. But if he doesn’t, we’ll move right along to the next thing that seems helpful. And make no mistake, our cultural is absolutely obsessed with solutions to every kind of problem imaginable. Our social media feeds are full of fads that promise a way to the new and improved you - the better self - to fix you - all you need to do is trust the process and it will get you to the end you’re looking for!

And yet, this is precisely the thing John is warning us against in this story. Jesus is not interested in us trusting what he can do for us. He’s not calling us to trust in our desired outcome - of what he can bring about - he’s not calling us to trust that he knows the solution - that He knows the way out - that He knows how to fix us.

He’s calling us to trust HIM.

And this makes all the difference in the world.

Because what actually happens here, in an invitation to trust HIM, we are joining NOT THE ONE WHO KNOWS the WAY…NOT THE ONE WHO KNOWS the SOLUTION…NOT THE ONE WHO KNOS the SOLVE…but we are joining the one WHO IS THE WAY! We are joining the one IS the SOLUTION We are joining the one who does not just KNOW what we need but IS what we need!

Friends, this is the relationship Jesus actually desires with us - one that says when we walk through the valley of the Shadow of Death, we do not simply follow the one who KNOWS the way out, but He is like our SHEPHERD who is the way out.

Meaning, your hope is actually no longer relegated to coming out the other side, but your hope is found even through the most painful seasons you walk through in this life, BECAUSE THE ONE YOU TRUST WALKS WITH YOU THROUGH IT.

Your hope is not found after years of recovery - as a follower of Jesus - your HOPE is with you EVERY STEP OF THE WAY THROUGH!

He does not want you to simply trust what he can do for you, Jesus actually wants you to trust Him. And like the Royal Official, take Him at His word.

And when we do this…how does it change the way we experience all of life itself…including our suffering?

Because when we trust Him…when we take Him at his word - choose to believe that Jesus means it when he says. We believe he DOES provide. And it may not look the way we’re expecting…it may not happen they way we’ve planned…but then again, we’re not meant to trust the outcome in the first place!

And in trusting him, when he says: “Matthew 6:26

Matthew 6:26 NLT

26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?

Or,

Matthew 6:28–30 (NLT)

28 Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.

And even if we don’t know what that will look like, we are invited to trust the one who does!

Gospel: He who did not spare his only Son

But you see, this is precisely why I think this story is at the same time wonderfully simple and incredibly challenging!

Because as Jesus looks out over this crowd of people who have gathered around him - profoundly interested in what he can do for them - he reveals what he’s actually calling his followers to! And it strikes at the very core of what it means to be human.

He says, I’m asking you to do the most unnatural thing in the world. That despite the multitude of lessons life has taught you…despite the strength of whatever internal defense mechanism you have set up…I’m calling YOU to trust me. Not my solutions to your problems. Trust me.

The gospel, then, is an invitation to leave behind our baggage, our frustration, our past, and enter into a new kind of relationship where we are no longer trying to decipher every event or circumstance and find out whether or not it is some kind of affirmation of His love and care for us…we are invited into the kind of relationship were we can simply look to Him and say: I trust you.

And finally, I think we have to see that the Gospel invites us into the most trusting relationship imaginable. Because by trusting in Jesus, we are at the same time confessing our brokenness - affirming what He knows and we know to be true - that we have failed to live the life we’ve been created for - that we have not lived up to the standard God has set for humanity - but Jesus himself came to live the life we should lived, die the death we should have died so that by faith in Jesus - allegiance to Him and Him alone - we are forgiven!

And I say this is the most trusting relationship imaginable because it is the only one we encounter where we are both FULLY KNOWN and FULLY LOVED. It’s the only relationship where nothing is hidden - nothing is overlooked or missed - and the only one where we are still perfectly loved.

Conclusion:

Do you trust him?

Do you really trust Him?

Confession

Prayer