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5. Healing of the court official's son (John 4:43-54)
JOHN 4:43-46a
43 After the two days he went out from there and went into Galilee. 44 For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. 45 So when he came into Galilee, the Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did in Jerusalem at the feast, for they also went to the feast. 46a Jesus came therefore again to Cana of Galilee, where he made the water into wine.
Jesus and his disciples preached in Samaria with the power of eternal life and with joy they evangelized. The time for reaching the nations had not come; he had first to defeat evil spirits in his homeland. He went directly to Galilee, despite the mockery of the Nazarenes and the risks of violence. His friends and relatives did not yet believe in his divinity, since he was from a lowly family. They looked up to wealth and fame, and scorned the poverty in Jesus. He was unable to work a sign among them because of this mistrust.
Christ’s reputation as healer spread far and wide. The news of his miracles performed in Jerusalem went ahead of him to Galilee. Many Galileans visited Jerusalem during the Passover and they heard and saw all that Jesus did and said, preaching with authority. They cheered him when he reached the Galilean villages and hoped to see him perform miracles among them in order to gain some benefit from him. Jesus returned to the bridegroom’s home in Cana where the happiness of the wedding had become his motto. He wanted to complete his service among those who had begun to look up to him because of his first miracle performed at Cana.
JOHN 4:46b-54
46b There was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to him, and begged him that he would come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 Jesus therefore said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders, you will in no way believe.” 49 The nobleman said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. 51 As he was now going down, his servants met him and reported, saying “Your child lives!” 52 So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. They said therefore to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour, the fever left him.” 53 So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” He believed, as did his whole house. 54 This is again the second sign that Jesus did, having come out of Judea into Galilee.
An important official of the king’s court came to Jesus having heard of him and his authority. The folk of that village heard of the arrival and they said, "He is approaching the Healer to introduce him to the king."
This official had a sick son in Capernaum, on the shores of the lake. The father had tried several physicians, spending a fortune, but found no cure for his son. As a last resort he tried Jesus; could he help or not? The father wanted Jesus to leave Cana and accompany him to Capernaum, hoping by his very presence the son would be healed.
Jesus made no fuss in greeting this high official and He was sorry that the official showed a lack of faith. Jesus cannot help unless a man truly believes in his matchless person. Many pray and believe while doubting at the same time, desiring mere material aid. A true believer in the Lord relies on his word unconditionally, trusting before the help arrives.
The official was not annoyed at Jesus’ chiding, but humbled himself calling him "Sir" or "Lord," this according to the Greek, regarding himself as servant of Christ. His love for his son as well as his respect for Jesus led him again to ask Jesus to come to Capernaum to spare his life.
At this, Jesus discerned a willingness in the official to believe in his Lordship and said, "Go, your son will live." Jesus declined to join the official and go to Capernaum, but tested the father’s love and establish his faith. Did he have confidence in Jesus’ ability to heal in spite of the distance between them and the sick boy?
In the course of the conversation the official discovered the character of Jesus and his love. He was assured that Jesus would not lie and was not mocking him. Now he believed even though he could not witness visually his son’s cure. Obeying Jesus he started back to Capernaum. His obedient departure honored Jesus and confirmed the healing. If Jesus could heal my dying son, he is greater than all. Healing proves his authority and divine origin. The way back was in itself a discipline in growing trust.
Jesus had also moved the officials servants to hurry to him and announce his son’s complete cure. His anxieties vanished and he praised the Lord. Eager to be sure of the hour when the fever had left his son, he was told it was just after noon, at the very moment that Jesus had uttered the healing command and promise.
This official witnessed to his household with gratitude of the power of Christ’s love.
This miraculous event is the second sign that John records. Christ’s influence penetrated the king’s court. People eagerly looked forward to future events believing that faith in Christ is the worship acceptable to God who confirms this in signs and mighty acts.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we thank you for your coming. You healed the dying lad in Capernaum though remote from your bodily presence. You led the father to a firm faith in you. Teach us to trust in your love and power. We pray for the salvation of many dead in sin and trespasses, and believe that you answer our prayers.
QUESTION:
- What are the stages of growth in faith that the official passed through?