Long Distance Healing

John 4:43-54, CEB

After two days Jesus left for Galilee. ( Jesus himself had testified that prophets have no honor in their own country.)  When he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him because they had seen all the things he had done in Jerusalem during the festival, for they also had been at the festival.

He returned to Cana in Galilee where he had turned the water into wine. In Capernaum there was a certain royal official whose son was sick.  When he heard that Jesus was coming from Judea to Galilee, he went out to meet him and asked Jesus if he would come and heal his son, for his son was about to die.  Jesus said to him, “Unless you see miraculous signs and wonders, you won’t believe.”

The royal official said to him, “Lord, come before my son dies.”

Jesus replied, “Go home. Your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and set out for his home.

While he was on his way, his servants were already coming to meet him. They said, “Your son lives!”  So he asked them at what time his son had started to get better. And they said, “The fever left him yesterday at about one o’clock in the afternoon.”  Then the father realized that this was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son lives.” And he and his entire household believed in Jesus.  This was the second miraculous sign Jesus did while going from Judea to Galilee.

                The above story is the account of the second of seven public “signs” recorded in the gospel of John.  He most likely includes seven such signs because seven is regarded as a number of completeness or wholeness.  All seven are miracles that John hopes will teach a deeper lesson than simply Jesus is capable of performing  supernatural wonders. 

The first was the changing of water into wine.  If you remember, the wine Jesus produced was better than the wine served by the host.  Wine has been a sign of joy and blessing throughout the Old Testament. The implicit message of this first sign was that Jesus is the greatest source of joy and blessing for those that follow Him.  Also in this first sign, we are introduced to another important teaching that the second sign will pick up on – obedience. Remember what Jesus’s mother says to the servants in that story:

His mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” (2:5)

Now back to our story for today. 

Jesus replied, “Go home. Your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and set out for his home. (4:50)

In both these sign stories, John points out obedience followed by the sign.  The servants at the wedding follow Jesus’ instructions even though they don’t know why or what the result will be.  The official leaves for home on just the word from Jesus that his son will live.  It isn’t until after he obeys that he finds out his son is well again.  Hear now, what Jesus will say to Thomas after the resurrection:

“Do you believe because you see me? Happy are those who don’t see and yet believe.” (20:29)

Real faith springs from obedience, not simply witnessing the miraculous. The latter is untrustworthy and fleeting.  There is indescribable power in faithfully obeying God and as we do over the course of our lives, we find that we have a front-row seat to the miraculous. 

Question:  Have you ever experienced your faith deepening as a result of simple obedience?

Prayer:  Lord, help me be clear about your specific instructions that You would have me follow right now.  Amen.

Prayer Focus:  Pray for people around the world whose livelihoods have been destroyed by war.

Song:  Yes (Obedience) ft. MDSN – David & Nicole Binion