We find ourselves in John 4:46-54. Let me read for you.
So he [Jesus] came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. So Jesus said to him, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe." The official said to him, "Sir, come down before my child dies." Jesus said to him, "Go; your son will live." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering...The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." And he himself believed, and all his household. This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.
There is so much in this little vignette that John has recorded for us. And I want to just mention five things. Here's the first one. When Jesus says, "Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe," he's not just talking about this official. The "you" there in this passage is plural. He's talking about everyone in Galilee, and us. And the challenge is to us, will we see the Messiah behind the sign or just celebrate the sign? Remember the miracles of Jesus were meant to preach the gospel of human need and of divine provision and, so doing, cause us to trust in Jesus.
Second thing, Jesus has preached the gospel to religious leader Nicodemus; he's preached the gospel to a Samaritan outcast, the woman at the well; now he's preaching the gospel to a Roman official. John is making a point here that the gospel is for everyone, all kinds of people in all kinds of situations, in all kinds of social classes, men and women, the rich and the poor, the accepted and the rejected. The gospel reaches into all cultures, all ethnicities, all social structures, no one is outside of the reach of God's grace.
Third thing is this is Jesus' second miracle. John wants you to think of that, and he's connecting this miracle of the healing of this boy to the miracle of the water and the wine. How are they the same? Because like turning the water and into wine, this miracle demonstrates the power that Jesus has, as the Creator, over the way the creation operates. He has power over the molecules of water and can command them to turn into wine. And he has the power of the cells of this boy's body and can command them to be healed.
And so, in doing this miracle, this is the fourth thing: Jesus foreshadows his resurrection because, if he has this kind of power over creation, there's nothing that can stop himeven death won't be able to hold him.
And so, what is John saying to us? "Seriously, why wouldn't you put your trust in this person, this one with such power?" There's nothing that you need, there's nothing that you struggle with, there's no sin, there's no situation, there's no relationship, there's no weakness, there's no failure that he isn't able to meet you in and provide for you what you need. Why wouldn't you trust Jesus?
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
1. Do you have a propensity to celebrate the signs and miracles Jesus performs more than Christ himself? Why do you think that is for most people? What are the miracles of Jesus meant to point us to as we read about them in the Scriptures? How do his miracles teach you to trust him?
2. Why is the gospel for everyone? If no one is outside the reach of God's grace, how are you living a life that functionally chafes against that truth? In other words, who in your life do you believe is beyond the reach of God's grace? Pause right now and ask God to change your heart toward the person or people you're thinking of, and pray for them to come to know Christ.
3. If Jesus has the power over all creation, how can your prayers proactively reflect that truth? In what parts of your life have you neglected to believe the truth that he has power over all created things?
4. Why is God able to meet all of your needs in Christ Jesus?
Conversation Prompts to Use with Children
For Younger Children:
• Why do you think it was so important that Jesus performed miracles when he walked the earth? Why are miracles such a big deal?
• How can the miracles Jesus performed point us to something better and greater than the miracle itself?
For Older Children:
•Why do the miracles of Jesus ultimately point us to the person who is behind the miracles (Christ himself)? How do the miracles actually point us to him?
• Why do you think it's so tempting to celebrate the miracles more than the one who performed them? In what ways have you and I been guilty of celebrating the gifts of God more than the Giver of those gifts? How can we help one another to focus our attention where the attention is due (on Jesus)?
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