Gospel in Art: Jesus said, 'So you will not believe unless you see signs!'

Roads Signs on Brick-JP3957, by Jean Plout, oil on canvas, 2012, © Plout Gallery

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 11 March 2024
John 4:43-54

Jesus left Samaria for Galilee. He himself had declared that there is no respect for a prophet in his own country, but on his arrival the Galileans received him well, having seen all that he had done at Jerusalem during the festival which they too had attended.

He went again to Cana in Galilee, where he had changed the water into wine. Now there was a court official there whose son was ill at Capernaum and, hearing that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judaea, he went and asked him to come and cure his son as he was at the point of death. Jesus said, 'So you will not believe unless you see signs and portents!' 'Sir,' answered the official 'come down before my child dies.' 'Go home,' said Jesus 'your son will live.' The man believed what Jesus had said and started on his way; and while he was still on the journey back his servants met him with the news that his boy was alive. He asked them when the boy had begun to recover. 'The fever left him yesterday' they said 'at the seventh hour.' The father realised that this was exactly the time when Jesus had said, 'Your son will live'; and he and all his household believed.

This was the second sign given by Jesus, on his return from Judaea to Galilee.

Reflection on the painting

The interaction between Jesus and the court official, who sought Jesus' help for his critically ill son, begins with what might seem like a stern rebuke from Jesus, where he tells him: Ah, are you another one of these people who need to see a sign? This pattern, where Jesus initially appears to resist a request for help, recurs elsewhere in the gospels. For instance, when informed of Lazarus's grave illness, Jesus chose to stay put for two additional days rather than rush to his side. Similarly, about the plight of the married couple in Cana, Jesus responded to His mother's concern with, "My hour has not yet come," hinting at a timeline which goes beyond human urgency.

These episodes collectively suggest a deeper layer to Jesus' interactions, reminding us that he is not immediately at our beck and call. He addresses all our concerns, in his own time, not necessarily in the time we want. He never outright dismisses those who reach out to him. In the account of the court official in our Gospel today, despite Jesus' challenging initial response, the official's persistent faith is met with a profound promise: "Go home, your son will live." This assurance was enough for the official, who believed Jesus' word without requiring any miraculous proof. This man exemplifies ideal faith, one that rests not on the need for miraculous signs but on trust in Jesus' word alone.

Our painting features a myriad of different signs. Indeed, we are surrounded by signs every day. Traffic signs are there to make the traffic run smoothly, signs in the theatre are there to get everyone safely to their seats, and so on. In Jesus we have the ultimate sign for life: to follow him and he will guide us. Indeed, no other sign is needed. American artist Jean Plout is largely self taught and paints these charming canvasses using oils and acrylics.

The interaction in our reading today underlines an important aspect of faith - it can deepen in moments of perceived silence or inaction from the Lord. What might feel like a dark period of unanswered prayers can, paradoxically, lead to a more robust, resilient faith.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-4-43-54-2024/