4:43-54 Welcome at Galilee
“Now after the two days He departed from there and went to Galilee. For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. So, when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they also had gone to the feast.
A Nobleman’s Son Healed
So, Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.”
The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!”
Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So, the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!”
Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” So, the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household.
This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.”
Jesus has left Jerusalem and Judea, passing through Samaria and returning to Cana in Galilee. Now a desperate nobleman is begging Jesus to come heal his son, who is dying. At first, Jesus’ response might seem harsh. “Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” Jesus does care about the life of the boy; however, he wants to be sure that this man isn’t simply a thrill seeker. It’s also possible that Jesus is not merely speaking to this nobleman but to all those around him, who might be thrill seekers.
The nobleman isn’t concerned about signs and wonders; he just wants his son to live. “The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” This man feels Jesus is his only hope, and he’s willing to beg if necessary. Jesus knows that if he wastes time traveling between Cana and Capernaum, the boy will be dead by the time he arrives. Rather than waste that time, Jesus assures the nobleman. “Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So, the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!” Although John doesn’t record it, the man may have collapsed to his knees in praise to God at this news. Once the nobleman recovers enough to speak, he asks for details. “Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” So, the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household. This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.”
Remember that Galilee has a mixed population of Jews, Greeks, and others from various countries whose ancestors settled there centuries ago. Jesus has already witnessed to an entire Samaritan village enroute to Galilee, and now he heals the son of a nobleman, who might be either Greek or Roman. Everybody in the household knows that the master’s son is dying. Perhaps the boy has malaria or typhoid. The head of the household rushes 26.51 km, or 16.47 miles from Capernaum to Cana, possibly in a wagon or a chariot, hoping to get Jesus to return with him. But Jesus gives the man something better: the life of his child and the assurance that God cares, that God hears, and that God can heal. For the rest of their lives, everyone in the household will believe on Jesus.
These days in Ghana, it’s quite common to see posters advertising revivals and promising signs and wonders. I am always baffled by such things, not because I don’t believe God can do them but because the Holy Spirit is not a tame entity to whom one can dictate. While God does graciously move in many of these meetings, I still feel distinctly uncomfortable about such advertising. Yet another thing that bothers me is posters featuring the photos of the various ministers who are leading the meeting. Whom are we worshiping? Are we really worshiping the One True Living God, or are we worshiping His servants? God will not give His glory to anyone else. When we take glory that should be going to God and hoard it for ourselves, we are in very dangerous territory.
Corrie Ten Boom, the famous Dutch evangelist, used to say that when someone gave her a compliment, she treated it as if it were a bouquet of flowers. She would savor the compliment, but then turn around and offer it up to the Lord, since He was the One who had made everything possible.
Notice what Jesus does not do in this situation. Jesus does not make a big show of healing the boy. Speaking with heavenly authority, Jesus simply tells the man his son is healed. Nothing more is needed. Jesus doesn’t use smoke and mirrors or special lighting or a trained choir or a keyboard player supplying soft background music.
The question for us as believers is this: if we go in the Name of Jesus, operating in His Authority, do we need anything else? I truly believe we do not. We need to simplify, to allow God to move, and avoid anything that might distract those wanting to come to God. May God help us, so that we will do His work in His way!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to constantly look to You, so that we will fulfill Your perfect will for our lives. If You use us to do miracles, help us to give You all the glory, and not take any of it for ourselves. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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