Sign 2 - The Word Of God Series

The Test.

This miracle takes place in Galilee. In verse 44 Jesus pointed out that a prophet has no honour in his own town. The Galileans however welcome him, not however because they believe in who He is, but instead because they have heard of His miracles and want to see him perform some more. This will only be the second sign that Jesus has performed here, and the second that John records, although He will have performed many more in Jerusalem.

Jesus is approached by a royal official who son is ill in Capernaum. The Greek word used to describe this man is Basilikos, he is a servant of Herods house hold. He could have been either Jew or Gentile, but either way as a servant of Herod he would have been despised by the Jews. Here we see the grace of God.

The man is also of great standing. He would have been a man who enjoyed some royal privileged. He would have been a man of relative wealth and honour. Here however we see that problems come in life irrespective of position or power. It would have taken a desperate situation, and a lot of humility, for a man of this position to come and beg a wandering carpenter, to help him.

This man demonstrates the only true way to come to Jesus. Many came, like the Pharisees, to scoff or inspect, or like the general folk, as an audience to a great magician. This man however left behind his own strength, knowledge and abilities, recognised the need for a touch from Jesus, and, in great humility, begged him to do something. Often when we have problems we can firstly try and rely on our own strength, and pride can prevent us from realising that we don’t have full control of our lives. The only true way to receive a touch from Jesus, is to leave all that behind and to fall at his feet.

Jesus could have acted then and there. He could have followed the man and fulfilled his request. Instead of doing this, Jesus tests the hearts of those that are around him. His reply to the man’s request appears quite harsh. "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe."

The man is coming to Jesus because his son is ill and dying. He has humbly come before Jesus and in his request has shown that he believes that Jesus is able to heal his son. Why then does Jesus’ reply sound like he is accusing this man of being a shallow minded, unbelieving individual, who is just testing to see whether Jesus is capable of performing a miracle?

The answer to this question is in the fact that Jesus is speaking not only to the official, but those who are around him as well. The Galileans were only interested in Jesus proving himself through miracles. They were awaiting the messiah, and wanted Jesus to perform powerful signs to see if he would be the one to release them from Roman rule. They new Jesus had grown up with them and so doubted that he was anything special. Jesus asks this question to test to see what was in the heart of the official.

The answer to that question is found in the following verse, in the officials reply. "Sir, come down before my child dies." The royal official probably didn’t fully understand who Jesus was, but his answer demonstrated two things. He had a desperate need, and he knew that only Jesus could help him. He wasn’t after a show, or an experience, he wanted to know the healing power of God.