The Seven Signs (Pt. 4)

 

So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee. (John 4:46-53 ESV).

 

While this is the third “sign” in John, it is the second miracle. Our reading tells us of a man, apparently of high status, begging Jesus, known more at this time as a teacher of common background coming from Galilee and a carpenter’s son, to come to Capernaum to heal his son.  It was a very pivotal moment in the development of Jesus’ authority. Jesus’ reaction to the man’s plea reveals a little weariness with the people who are looking for miracles on demand, rather than truly seeking to know the Father. But the official seems to ignore Jesus’ response (v. 48), doggedly beseeching Jesus to hurry to Capernaum to save his son.  He hasn’t come for demonstrations, he already believes and is now begging for his son’s salvation.  In fact, he believes so strongly, that when Jesus tells him his son will live, the official does not insist that Jesus come to his son.  Rather he “took Jesus at his word” and leaves for Capernaum.

 

Where does the official’s great faith come from?  Was he at the wedding in Cana and a witness to Jesus’ first recorded miracle?  John doesn’t say, although he does note “this was now the second miracle that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.” But the official doesn’t just demonstrate a belief that Jesus is capable of “signs and wonders;” he also shows great faith in Jesus’ compassion.  He is utterly confident that Jesus can and wants to perform this individual act of salvation. 

 

The absolute faith of this royal official is striking. He is certainly a wonderful example of the kind of trust we are to have in Jesus. He can be trusted to do that which is good in our lives.