John 4:43-54 – After the two days He left for Galilee. 44 (Now Jesus Himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.) 45 When He arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed Him. They had seen all that He had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, for they also had been there. 46 Once more He visited Cana in Galilee, where He had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to Him and begged Him to come and heal his son, who was close to death. 48 “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.” 49 The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed. 51 While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52 When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.” 53 Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed. 54 This was the second sign Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee.
“Once more He visited Cana in Galilee, where He had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to Him and begged Him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.” The people of Cana already knew of Jesus as it was the place of His first public miracle and they had heard of the miracles He had done in Jerusalem. Was turning water into wine the first miracle that Jesus ever did? We don’t know, the scripture does not mention one predating this one. Yet, in Mary’s confidence that we see in John 2:1-5 she is certain He will do something miraculous. Why is she so sure? Well, besides that she is confident that He will do what His mama has requested, it strongly suggests that she has seen Him do one before. Maybe a few, maybe many? For His mama? Think about it, but if He could before bless her or others, do you think He might have done so with discretion? (Proverbs 3:27) We don’t know for sure, but because of His love, perhaps so. So the first recorded miracle may be just that, the first “recorded” miracle of His public ministry. Perhaps what you know of Him will give you an answer you can receive?
John likely here mentions the first miracle to give reason why the official knew Jesus had divine power to heal His son. The man is not doubting that Jesus could, only hoping that He would. Which father or mother, with a child near death, would not do the same?
“Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.” This statement by Jesus seems to be pointed at the official, yet it may have been pointed to the Jewish leaders and those in the crowd. 1 Corinthians 1:22 “Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom.” He knew their hearts and minds and many were there to see a performance, not because they believed that He Himself was the long awaited Messiah. (John 2:24) Still some did and Jesus responded in love.
“The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed.” The man persists, as He should. (Matthew 7:7) This man persisted because he had some level of faith in Jesus. He came because of a level of faith. This man likely worked for King Herod. Yet Jesus responded to this man’s faith and proclaimed His son healed. Not will be, but at the proclamation of Jesus was immediately healed. The man did not then ask “Really? How can I be sure? You’re serious, right?” No, he believed, he stopped asking and went on his way. That is faith. How many of us ask and then are not so sure of how our Lord will respond. We can’t drop it. We continue to be tormented. Do we continue to doubt how God will respond? Once the official received the answer He did not continue to ask, He simply went on with his life and was certain that Jesus had healed His son. Lord may I likewise pray and believe.
“While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52 When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.” 53 Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” From Capernaum to Cana was about a four hour walk. So we know that the official did not go straight home after Jesus told him that his son was healed. We know because the servant of the official told him that the boy was healed “yesterday” at around 1:00 P.M., which was the exact time that Jesus had said the boy was healed. The Father knew that indeed it was Jesus who had spoken the word and the boy was healed. So, the father could have been home the same day to verify the healing, but he no longer worried about his son because he by faith knew his son would be healed. Now how many of us could have continued on to do business and not rushed to confirm that the boy was healed? Most of us, likely including me, would have rushed home to confirm. This man had great faith in Jesus and that faith was rewarded.
“So he and his whole household believed.” The father celebrated Jesus to his family and then with his family. They likely knew that when he left he was going to ask Jesus to heal his son and they all likely prayed that all would go well. Family and Friends, if there is a family concern, or crisis, don’t shelter it from your children. Ask them to join in praying to the Lord. Then, when the Lord answers your prayer, both you and they will rejoice. The answered prayer will be an answer to their parents’ prayers, but also to theirs. Therefore your faith is a shared faith and they will be amazed and thankful to God, just as you are. In thus your faith and their faith is grown and strengthened. Praise God!
As the song verses say “Trust and obey, For there’s no other way, To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey.” And that we do because He has revealed Himself to us. Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 – The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.