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Waggoner on the Gospel of John - Ellet J. Waggoner

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was at <strong>the</strong> point <strong>of</strong> death." His heart was full <strong>of</strong> an<br />

intense desire, and <strong>the</strong> repro<strong>of</strong> implied in <strong>the</strong> words<br />

<strong>of</strong> Jesus, "Except ye see signs and w<strong>on</strong>ders ye will<br />

not believe," could not turn <strong>the</strong> fa<strong>the</strong>r's thoughts<br />

from <strong>the</strong> bo<strong>on</strong> that he sought so earnestly. His <strong>on</strong>ly<br />

resp<strong>on</strong>se was, "Sir, come down ere my child die."<br />

This man did not come in str<strong>on</strong>g faith, as did <strong>the</strong><br />

centuri<strong>on</strong> who asked <strong>on</strong>ly that <strong>the</strong> word <strong>of</strong> healing<br />

might be spoken, but Jesus does not repulse <strong>the</strong><br />

nobleman because <strong>of</strong> his lack <strong>of</strong> faith. He is<br />

touched with <strong>the</strong> feeling <strong>of</strong> our infirmities; and His<br />

own heart resp<strong>on</strong>ded to <strong>the</strong> fa<strong>the</strong>r's cry for help. So<br />

when burdened hearts pour out <strong>the</strong>ir l<strong>on</strong>ging to <strong>the</strong><br />

Lord, He inclines His ear to <strong>the</strong>m, even though<br />

<strong>the</strong>y know but little <strong>of</strong> true faith.<br />

But Jesus taught <strong>the</strong> nobleman how to believe.<br />

He said, "Go thy way; thy s<strong>on</strong> liveth." And <strong>the</strong> man<br />

believed <strong>the</strong> word and went his way. So many do<br />

not know what faith is. They think it is some<br />

quality possessed by <strong>the</strong>mselves, <strong>of</strong> which some<br />

men have much and o<strong>the</strong>rs little. Sometimes <strong>the</strong>y<br />

say, "Yes, I believe what <strong>the</strong> Lord says, but I have<br />

not faith enough to do it." They think <strong>the</strong>y can<br />

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