NOTES for Joh 4:43-54
What does a person need in order to come to faith? Faith is one of the central concepts of the Gospel of John, for it was "written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:31). Therefore almost all the episodes we read in these days connect the words and deeds of the Lord Jesus with our faith. Miracles and signs are always marked by comments such as, "And His disciples believed in Him."
But how does the Lord Himself regard this connection? What stands behind His words, "Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe": an acknowledgment that a miracle is necessary in order to believe, or a rebuke for a lack of faith that cannot do without a miracle? If the first, then what is the faith of those who did not see miracles worth? And if the second, then what is faith based on miracles worth?
It is impossible to believe with no grounds at all, but it is just as impossible to prove anything or interpret it unambiguously. Faith is a state of spirit that allows us to walk in half-darkness, to remain faithful when signs are lacking, and to discern the signs that point the way.