“After the two days he left for Galilee. 44 (Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.) 45 When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, for they also had been there. 46 Once 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. 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.48 “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.” 49 The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed. 51 While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52 When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.” 53 Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed.54 This was the second sign Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee.” John 4.43-54
As a parent, I would do anything for my children. Anything for their safety, benefit or happiness. So when this royal official from the kings court comes to Jesus asking that his son might live, I can relate. And most parents could as well. Is there anything we wouldn’t do for the well-being of our kids?
Yet in between the “ask” and the healing, Jesus offers what I read as a rebuke to the people. Maybe it’s just a simple statement, mater-of-fact, but I see it as more because later on he assumes a similar tone (see John 20.29). And the statement is this, “Unless you people see signs and wonders you will never believe.”
Is Jesus frustrated because people are only believing in him when they see a miracle? Kind of like a child who comes to his father only when he needs something? It’s not fun nor sincere. But this second miracle of Jesus follows one in which he changes basic elements of water into wine. Now, Jesus is projecting healing across space and time to a young boy who is dying miles away.
The question must be asked, “What are the purposes of miracles?” Are they to cause faith, reveal God’s glory, or draw people to himself. I think it’s all three. The father who came to Jesus and asked for healing for his son received it and as a result, “he and his whole household believed.”
Yet it also reveals the nature of God in Jesus. We see a God who is willing to do for us what we need. He shows mercy, compassion and love even though we lack faith to believe on our own.
So is God still doing miracles today? Certainly! Some third world countries see the type of physical healings that were representative of Jesus’ own miracles. Yet those of us living in wealth and prosperity also see God’s miracles in how he meets us where we are, heals us spiritually, and causes us to prosper even when we don’t deserve or earn it.
Do you need God to do a work in your life for you to believe? What miracle are you expecting from God today?
“O Lord God, you are good. Even when my love fails, your love remains steadfast. Even when I doubt, you do not delay. Even when I fall, you are faithful. Come now, Holy Spirit, reveal yourself to us today. Whether it be through miracles or simply the natural occurrences of life, use every moment to turn our affections toward you. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen