ACC ~ John 4 v50

WEALTH NEITHER IMPRESSED NOR DETERRED JESUS

GREGORY THE GREAT: In this matter we must pay careful attention to what we have learned from the testimony of another Evangelist. A centurion came to the Lord saying, “Sir, my servant is lying at home paralyzed and in great pain.” Jesus immediately answered him, “I myself will come and heal him.” [1] Why is it that when the ruler asked him to come to his son, he refused to go there in person, but he promised to go in person to the servant, when the centurion had not asked him to do so? He did not condescend to be physically present to the ruler’s son but did hurry to the side of the centurion’s servant.

Why was this, except to check our pride? We do not respect in people their nature, made in God’s image, but their riches and reputation. When we consider what is important about them we scarcely regard what they are inwardly. We pay attention to what is physically displeasing about them and neglect to consider what they are. Our Redeemer, to show us that the things human beings regard highly are displeasing to the saints and that we are not to be displeased by what humans consider displeasing, refused to go to the ruler’s son but was ready to go to the centurion’s servant….

You see that one came from heaven who was not reluctant to hurry to a servant on earth, and yet we who are of the earth refuse to be humbled on earth. FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 28. [2]

[1] Mt 8:6-7.

[2] CS 123:222-23.

CHRIST DOES NOT REJECT US IN OUR LACK OF UNDERSTANDING

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: The nobleman believed that Jesus needed to come [to his son to heal him]. But Christ does not reject our lack of apprehension; rather, as God, he helps even the stumbling. What the man then should have been admired for doing is what Jesus teaches him even when he does not end up doing it. In this way Jesus is revealed both as the teacher of the most lovely things and the giver of good things in prayer. For, in “Go your way,” there is faith. In “your son lives” there is the fulfillment of his longings, granted with both a generosity and an authority befitting to God. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 2.5. [1]

[1] LF 43:233-34**.

THE NOBLEMAN’S FAITH STILL IMPERFECT

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: By writing here “believed,” the Evangelist does not intend that he believed completely and perfectly, but means that he accepted the word without hesitation and hoped for something excellent from [Jesus]…. The events that follow show clearly that the royal official had come to Christ with an imperfect faith. When he was going down, his slaves met him and reported to him his son’s recovery. He did not come back to give thanks for the miracle but asked at what time the child had recovered. When he had ascertained that it was the same hour in which the Lord had promised him the healing of the child, “Then he himself believed, along with his whole household.” COMMENTARY ON JOHN 2.4.46-48. [1]

[1] CSCO 4 3:97.