Healing the son of the royal official

John 4:43~54

43After the two days he left for Galilee. 44(Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.) 45When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, for they also had been there.

46Once 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. 47When 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 miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe."

49The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies."

50Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live."

The man took Jesus at his word and departed. 51While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, "The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour."

53Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." So he and all his household believed.

54This was the second miraculous sign that Jesus performed, having come from Judea to Galilee.

I. Message:

Content:

1. Lord Jesus left Sychar, headed to Galilee and was welcomed there (v. 43~45)
2. Lord Jesus went to Cana and performed a second miraculous sign in healing the son of the royal official (v. 46~54)

Themes:

1. Healing the son of the royal official
2. Perform His second miraculous sign

II. Who is God? Who is Jesus Christ? Who is Holy Spirit?

1. Jesus Christ is rejected by His own town’s people (v. 44)
2. Jesus Christ is welcomed (v. 45)
3. Jesus Christ speaks with power (v. 50)
4. Jesus Christ performs healing miracle (v. 51~54)
5. Jesus Christ remains active and visits every corner of Israel

III. What is God teaching me (command, promise, model, rebuke, warning)?

1) Jesus is the Lord of life

As Jesus arrived at Galilee, a royal official, whose son is seriously ill and dying, came all the way from Capernaum to ask Jesus to heal his son. Jesus granted his petition. This proves that Jesus is the Lord of life.

Reflection:

How much do I know about Jesus Christ? Do I know that He is the Lord of life? Have I submitted my life to Him completely?

2) Authority beyond time and space

When He was healing the royal official’s son, Jesus did not go to his home as he requested. As the official said to Jesus, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live." While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, "The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour." Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." Clearly, Jesus’ words have authority beyond time and space.

3) Example left by the royal official

There is a direct link between the son’s healing and his father’s character. In this passage, we can notice that he possesses these qualities:

1. Humility: being a royal official, he has a higher social status but was willing to come to Jesus to find help
2. Patience: after explaining his petition, Jesus did not reply positively right away. Instead, He told everyone there that "unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, you will never believe." This statement is a challenge to the official. However, he did not back down or became pessimistic. His son was healed because he was patient.
3. Faith: the official said to Jesus, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live." The official did not hesitate and left. This shows that he had complete faith in Jesus, no doubt in His words.

Reflection:

What does the official teach us trough his humility, patience and faith? The official’s son was healed. How about myself?

4) The effectiveness of intercession

Petitioning Jesus is a form of prayer. What the official did is a prayer to Jesus. Praying for other people’s needs is called intercession. From today’s story, the effectiveness of intercession is undeniable.

Reflection:

Do I believe in the power of prayer and in the effectiveness of intercession? Do I pray for others regularly?

IV. Prayer/ Life Application

Translated by 顏偉哲