31. Jesus heals a government official’s son
– John 4:46-54
John 4:47 “When 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.”
This passage is another example of how Jesus cares for us all equally. Just as Jesus listened and responded to the request of the Samaritan woman, he also listened and responded to the request of the government official. Jesus didn’t favor one over the other.
Additionally, we can see from this passage that the government official had faith that Jesus was capable of miracles. He believed and then he saw. Many times we expect God to prove himself to us. If God showed us his power, then we will believe. If Jesus gets us out of a hard situation, then we will believe. But, who is to say that even after the miracle happens that you will believe. If you don’t believe now, then you won’t believe in him after. People see miracles all the time and try to come up with earthly causes of the miracle. They don’t give credit to where it is due. God is all powerful. He is capable of miracles. You have to believe this for yourself in order to be able to identify his miracles around you.
Lastly, this verse is interesting because it was a government official that came to Jesus. During this time, it was usual for government officials to recognize and submit to Jesus. The officials wanted to be all powerful. They didn’t want to admit that they didn’t have complete control. Yet, this official put all of that to the side to go to Jesus.
John 4:50-51 “Jesus replied, ‘You may go. Your son will live.’ The man took Jesus at his word and departed.”
Not only did the official believe that Jesus was capable of miracles, but he also demonstrated his faith in Jesus by obeying him. It isn’t enough to say that you believe God can do miracles, you need to act as if he can. Put trust in your situations that God has it under control.
John 4:53 “Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, ‘Your son will be live.’ So he and all his household believed.”
Throughout this passage, we can see how the official’s faith grew. Initially, he believed Jesus was capable of saving his son. He had faith that Jesus had power over everything, even death. Then, he had enough faith to ask Jesus. More so, he had enough faith to obey what Jesus told him to do. However, when the miracle happened it expanded not only his faith, but also his family’s faith. Faith in God has a way of growing when you use it. The more faith you have, the greater you will come to realize how God can do the impossible. If you want more faith in God, try trusting him. Pray out to him and expect for him to listen. God is a living God. He is present in your life and he cares about your problems. Let God help you.
