John 4:43-54 - Ministry in Galilee

John 4:43-54
And after the two days He went forth from there into 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 that He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves also went to the feast. 

Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and was imploring Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.” The royal official said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off. As he was now going down, his slaves met him, saying that his son was living. So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. Then they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives”; and he himself believed and his whole household. This is again a second sign that Jesus performed when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.

Message: Ministry in Galilee

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: Two days? The event so far in John 4 has covered 2 days (v. 43), is that what John is saying? So Jesus is leaving the area of the Samaritans and is now headed south the Galilee. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke this initial time in Judea and Samaria is not mentioned. Jesus remarks in verse 44 that a prophet has no honor in his own country. Many rejected him in his own city. In Mark 6 it mentions Jesus in arriving in his hometown went to the synagogue and they were widespread offense towards him and in verse 4 of that chapter it states a similar message to this one in John. 

But I suppose what is odd here is that the rest of the passage mentions how the Galileans accepted Jesus. And several situations are mentioned:

• He did a lot of things in Jerusalem (John 1:19-28, 2:13-25)
• He made the water into wine (John 2:1-10)

An official, probably an adviser to Herod Antipas, comes to Jesus asking him to heal his son. The place was Cana of Galilee where he had made water into wine and verse 54 will mention it later as the 2nd since that Jesus performed. This man had obviously heard of Jesus' power, supernatural power and asks Jesus to heal his son, who was close to death in Capernaum (on the northwestern part of the Sea of Galilee). 

Jesus' initial response was a little disdain. Not sure if it was mentioned solely to the man but to others around. Chapter 2:23 recorded the results of Jesus' turning water into wine "many believed in His name, beholding His signs which He was doing." And yet, "Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them." Their belief was not sincere belief in Jesus but rather belief in a sign, in a magic trick. And Nicodemus mentions this as well to Jesus in 3:2 and this is when Jesus communicates what is really need to be born again and that is a change must occur in a person on the inside - that each person must believe as recorded in John 3:15 - "that whoever believes may in Him have eternal life." 

And even after these words, the official implores Jesus further (v. 49). Jesus remarks, "Go your way; your son lives." Basically, go back to your home in Capernaum and you will see that your son has been healed. "The man believed." This man had real faith. His faith was not in seeing the sign because he would probably not see his son for some time. But when Jesus spoke the words, he believed. He did not need to see the results. He believed what Jesus said. God's word had taken root in him. And then in verse 51 we hear of the result of the sign. Others in the household would believe. 

Again, there is a belief in Jesus that is needed, beyond the sign, beyond what He can do. 

Summary: There are those that reject Jesus, but in Galilee a royal official asks Jesus to heal his dying son and believes Jesus' that He has healed his son ever prior to see the results. 

Promise: Many saw signs from Jesus but never really believed in Him. Our faith must be grounded in the promises of God. When we are convinced of His trustworthiness, our faith will persevere.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for guiding me and directing me. I have missed finishing these times with You in your word, just allowing myself to get overly busy and yet Lord, you are there and always there. Give me strength in my days and give me direction in helping these boys now that are staying with us, maybe even to help the word of God take root in them. Thank you for helping me understand Your words and knowing You. Thank you for this message of truth, of believing in You beyond what You do for us, beyond seeing what you have done. May that real faith be contagious. Help me to take a moment and speak your truth to others. 

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