January 31, 2023 – Tuesday
John 4:46-50 NIV
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.
Comments
There is so much in the above verses, but I wish to begin with verse 48, 48 “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.” This whole section (v43-54) follows the section on the Samaritans who believed upon hearing the woman’s testimony and then more believed upon hearing what Jesus had to say about the Kingdom of heaven being near.
Yet here he is in Cana in Galilee less than 4 miles from where He grew up in Nazareth. He may have been thinking about what He said in Mark 6:4, 4 A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home. He does not expect to be believed except via signs and wonders, even though many had been in Jerusalem when earlier signs and wonders abounded about Him. Some commentaries claim you will never believe is better translated as you will by no means believe.
The Pharisees in Jerusalem saw many signs and wonders, yet they did not believe. Then the Samaritans believed by hearing His message. Now the Jews in His hometown will not believe without signs and wonders. Still, here comes a nobleman, a Jew and likely a member of King Herod’s court, in great humility, making no claim based upon his status. He comes to Jesus and begs, not demands, 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. He came to Jesus as any father would, begging that his son be saved and live.
Jesus seemingly denies him help when He says to him and all those around, 48 Unless you people see signs and wonders you will never believe. Yet the father, described as a royal official, indicates he does believe by continuing to beg with respect to Jesus calling Him Sir (Master in some versions), 49 Sir, come down before my child dies. The amplified versions say he pleaded with Jesus. Then a major surprise, Jesus replied, 50a Go, your son will live. Jesus responds to the faith and humility of the father and the father in 50b The man took Jesus at his word and departed.
Later, 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. He believed Jesus could heal his son and He did as he believed he could. The result, he and his whole household believed that Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah. He would have a great testimony that would lead others to believe, but there would be those who would refuse to believe asking for more proof, more signs and wonders, never intending to believe. There would never be enough proof for them.
Bottom Line: Once again I tell you, your testimony matters whether you know it or not. And your belief or believing matters as well. Come to God believing and you never know what will happen through His great mercy.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we do not know the ‘why’ for why some are healed, and others are not but we still believe and come before you always in great humility knowing if it were Your will all would be healed. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek