June 22 I
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HEALING OF THE OFFICIAL’S SON AT CAPERNAUM
46 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. 47 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. 48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.” 49 The royal official said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off. 51 As he was now going down, his slaves met him, saying that his son was living. 52 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.” 53 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. 54 This is again a second sign that Jesus performed when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.
– John 4:46-54
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After Jesus came from the city of Sychar, in Samaria where he stayed there two days, he headed for Galilee and while he was by Cana, a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum which was 16 miles from Cana, where he met Jesus, begging him to heal his son. In verse 48, Jesus commented that unless they see signs and wonders, they will not believe. It is interesting that this royal official still humbled himself to come to the Lord for healing of his son. It just goes to show that no position, titles or wealth can protect us from diseases or calamities. This father was diligent to track down Jesus’ whereabouts. It was 16 miles and yet he had the faith that Jesus will heal his son. There was no distance needed for Jesus to heal that boy. The father’s faith was enough for Jesus to do that miracle. His obedience to go home and his trust in Jesus’ words “Go, your son lives”, were key ingredients in the miracle. Trust and obey the Lord seems to be the formula for miracles he had done. Faith is essential in order for God to move into the situation. It didn’t indicate that the official was still worried after he talked to Jesus nor did it say that he rushed home to make sure he got his miracle. He seemed calm enough and sure that his son was healed and knew it was at that seventh hour when Jesus told him so. What confidence! Do we have this faith that brings about miracles?
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think trusting and obedience are key to bringing about miracles?