The Nobleman's Son

Jesus "came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine" (John 4:46a). We are told that this is "the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee" (v. 54). So the first two miracles of Jesus as recorded in Scripture were both done in Cana of Galilee. The first, of course, being at the wedding reception when He turned water into wine. The second now is the healing of the nobleman's son. Let's pick up the story from here.

We are told "there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum" (v. 46b). "Nobleman" in New Testament Greek referred to hereditary rank or to certain dignitaries. Literally, it refers to "an officer of the king's court" (studylight.org/commentary/john/4-46.html), or an officer serving in the court of Herod Antipas.

This man's son was sick and they feared he would soon die. So this nobleman sought out Jesus because of His reputation for healing the sick and making them well. He was right to come looking for Jesus because He was the only one who could help the boy.

He came to Jesus and "implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death" (v. 47). But Jesus replied, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe" (v. 48). Jesus responded in this manner because so many people just wanted a show to entertain them, nothing more, like Herod (Luke 23:8).

The nobleman passionately replied, "Sir, come down before my child dies!" (v. 49). Seeing the passionate concern for his son and understanding that this man wanted no entertainment, but only His help, Jesus told the man, "Go your way; your son lives" (v. 50a).

Jesus honored what little faith he had and healed his son. But "the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way" (v. 50b). He believed Jesus at His word! His faith was growing! On his way, "his servants met him and told him, saying, "Your son lives!" (v. 51).

What joy filled this man's heart! He could only respond one way. His faith grew several times that day. "Then he inquired of them the hour that 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" (vv. 52-53).

What joy filled that household! This great miracle of Jesus convinced this man and his entire household, servants and all, to believe in Jesus. He is indeed the Christ, the Savior in whom we must put our faith. Follow the footsteps of this nobleman and his family. Trust in Jesus, that is all! Amen.