John 4:46-53
John 4:47 When the royal official heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him, and was requesting Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death.
Introduction
This morning I want us to look at the 4th chapter of John’s Gospel. Now the reason I want us to do this is because I think John has something vitally important that we need to hear right now today (be it as a church, or as a family, or as individual believers).
Important: a few weeks ago we learned that waiting on God is not waiting around. Instead, because God is at work in our situation, we are to be at work as well. That is, we are to be preparing our hearts, renewing our walk, and refocusing our efforts on the things of God so that we will be ready for our part in the work that God is doing when the time comes.
Our text this morning provides a key ingredient for our preparation as we wait. Not only that, it also provides a key reminder of the mindset that we are to actively cultivate (not just while waiting, but) in our everyday walk.
John 4:46 Jesus therefore came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain royal official, whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him, and was requesting Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death.
Notice at once the setting: Jesus has returned to Cana of Galilee for the second time since His public ministry began. Not only that, by the time we reach our passage this morning, Jesus’ notoriety has spread throughout the countryside. In other words, folks have heard about Jesus.
Next, notice the situation: a royal official (this would have been one of Herod’s civil authorities stationed in Capernaum FN#1) has heard that Jesus is in the area and has come down from Capernaum to Cana (about a 16 mile trip) to ask Jesus to go back home with him and heal his son. Not only that, verse 47 tells us that the official’s son was at the point of death. Importance: notice at once what’s at stake: our passage this morning begins with a life and death situation. In fact, as we listen, we can hear the desperation and urgency in this father’s voice. Simply put, the royal official has come to Jesus with everything on the line.
48 Jesus therefore said to him, “Unless you all see signs and wonders, you all simply will not believe.”
Notice at once the startling surprise: the royal official has done exactly what we are taught to do. He has brought his need to Jesus. And yet surprisingly Jesus rebukes him. Not only that, as Jesus rebukes the man, he takes the opportunity to rebuke the crowd as well. Notice then Jesus says to “him” the royal official (singular) “unless you all see” (plural). Not only that, as you and I listen in on this conversation through the pages of Scripture, Jesus rebukes us as well. Why?
First, notice that the problem is not that the royal official turned to Jesus with his need. Instead, the problem is that the man, the crowd, and each one of us as well have a tendency to forget that God is already at work and that God is in control of the very details of our life. Thus, with each new dilemma we require a new validation that God is actually who He says He is. The result is that unless we see some sign or wonder or validation, we panic, we forget all that we should know about God. As such, rather than having the comfort and assurance that God intends, we stress out, we grow discouraged, and as a result, unbelief and poor decision making begin to set in. Notice then the point: with us, just like with the royal official, God begins with a corrective. He reminds us that just because we don’t always see His hand, it does not mean it is not at work. In the same way, just because we don’t always understand God’s purpose, it does not mean that there is no purpose. Simply put, Jesus does not rebuke the petition for help. Instead, Jesus rebukes our need to test that God is actually God with each new situation.
49 The royal official said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”
Next, notice the royal official’s response to Jesus’ rebuke: he responds with persistent faith. Think about it, his son is dying and so yes he needs a sign and wonder. However, notice the difference: he has come to Jesus because he believes that Jesus is the one who can heal his child. Not only that, he knows enough about Jesus to know that Jesus cares about his child. In other words, he knows that unlike his boss, King Herod, Jesus will not be too occupied with grand matters of state to help this sick child. Simply put, behind this father’s persistence, is faith in both Jesus’ ability and His compassion.
50 Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he started off.
Next, notice the example/corrective the royal official provides both for us and the crowd. Simply put, he takes Jesus at his word. In fact, notice that without a single sign or wonder of how things will turn out, the man believes Jesus and then with everything on the line, he heads back home. Importance: at once verse 50 demonstrates how I am to follow God. I am to take God at His word. Even when I do not see the resolution to my situation and even when I cannot conceive of how God could possibly bring healing to it, I am to trust God’s care, His character, and His purpose. Not only that, I am to then set my course, base my actions, and monitor my attitude according to the assurance that God is both with me and for me.
51 And as he was going down, his slaves met him, saying that his son was living. 52 So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. Therefore, they said 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”; and he himself believed, and his whole household.
Notice at once that the account ends with what seems to be a redundancy: How? Remember, back in verse 50 Scripture tells us that the royal official believed Jesus’ words and went home. Now here in verse 53 Scripture tells us that when the official heard that his child was alive, that he believed. However, this is no mere redundancy. Instead, it is a vital maturing of faith. Notice then verse 50 describes a faith of hope and trust. The royal official took Jesus at His word and went home. On the other hand, verse 53 describes an equally important type of faith.
Notice then, the royal official does not simply respond to the news of his son’s recovery with relief nor does he begin to look for an alternate or plausible explanation for why his son is well. Instead, the royal official makes a direct connection between Jesus’ promise and the outcome that is the fulfilment of that promise. In other words, he believed that the work of God was the work of God. Importance: we too are to respond to the way that God has worked in our midst by believing that God is at work in our midst FN#2.
Notice then the result of royal official’s living faith: verse 53 tells us that the official believed and as a result of his faith and faithful witness his whole household believed. In other words, the certainty of God’s hand at work resulted in a faith that bore fruit FN#3.
Bottom line: notice then our three take aways:
· First, with each new dilemma don’t forget that God is God.
· Second, take God at His word. He is with you, for you, and bigger than anything you face
· Finally, believe that the work of God is the work of God and let this assurance minister to you and direct you in your actions, attitudes, and assessments
Footnotes
1] In Biblical times Capernaum was one of the main trading villages in the Gennesaret-Galilee region. It was located on the Via Maris, the main trade route connecting Damascus in the north and Egypt in the south. As such, it was a vibrant and prosperous part of Palestine, with many travelers, caravans, and traders passing through the city. The result is that it was an important location and would have had many royal administrators and officials stationed there (of which the father in our story is one).
2] Scripture tells us that God has made His works to be remembered. Why? God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. As such, His faithfulness today assures us His ongoing love and faithfulness. Simply put, the fact that God has worked in our life in the past is the assurance that He is working in our life today.
Psalm 111:4 He has made His wonders to be remembered;
3] Extended treatment of verse 53
53 So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives”; and he himself believed, and his whole household.
Notice the result of royal official’s living faith: verse 53 tells us that the official believed and as a result of his faith and faithful witness his whole household believed. In other words, the certainty of God’s hand at work resulted in a faith that bore fruit. Importance: for us, just like the royal official, it is this belief that God has worked and therefore is working that is to set our course for the road ahead. As such, we are to keep this assurance ever front and center. We are to cultivate/ integrate it into our attitudes and mindset. Not only that, God intends this assurance is to fortify us amid the unexpected twists and turns that lie ahead (God is with us. This too is in His hands). Finally, because we have this assurance, we are to seek, pursue, and expect to bear fruit for His Kingdom. In other words, because God is at work among us, we are also to expect God to be at work through us. That is, I am to expect God to use me personally and directly in mighty ways for His Gospel.