Day 13 - John 4:46-54
25 Jan 2017
Jesus returns to Cana, where he performed his first miracle at the wedding (at the beginning of chapter 2). By now his reputation has grown, and an important man seeks him out. He's got a very serious problem. His son is at the point of death. Jesus shows love to this man - and he heals the boy. By the time the man returns from his trip to see Jesus, his son was recovering.
This miracle does not simply show Jesus great healing power. We are told "this was the second sign Jesus did". Remember back in 2:11 - his signs reveal his glory. But what do we learn about Jesus' glory in this particular miracle?
Jesus seems almost critical of this man for asking for his son to be healed. His comment in verse 48 is not meant to be hardhearted, rather he is showing he wants us to believe him, and to trust his word. He knows we need signs (evidence) for that - which is why he heals.
This sign points to the fact that Jesus' word has power. Jesus does not accompany the official back home to lay hands on the boy. That would have been very reassuring for the man. Instead Jesus simply speaks a promise "Go, your son will live". The man has to believe, and act. This is exactly what we are told he does do. Then when he arrives home he asks for the exact time when the son began to recover. It was when Jesus spoke the promise. This is no coincidence!
While we may long for miracles and healings today, Jesus does not always give them. Yet we have something even more certain. His word still has the same power that it had for this official and his son. We can believe all he says in his word, and know that it is true. When he promises something it will happen! That is the point of this sign. And as God, through John, records it in this gospel he has us in mind. What Jesus says to Thomas at the end of the gospel could have been just as accurately said to this official when he believed in vs 53 -
"Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."