The Man Believed and Started Off
When we look at Jhn 4:46-54, it records that Jesus visited Cana again, indicating that this was His second visit. The first visit is recorded in John 2 where it appears that Jesus’ mother, the servants, and His disciples attended a wedding feast together. At that feast, the wine ran out, and Jesus performed the miracle of turning water into wine. Although Jesus did not explicitly declare that He had turned water into wine, the servants who followed His instructions knew what had happened, and the word of this miracle must have spread (Jhn 2:11).
So, when the word spread that Jesus was visiting Cana again, the people of Cana must have been filled with anticipation for more signs and miracles. News of His visit likely reached even Herod Antipas, the tetrarch ruling over the region of Galilee, and his officials.
Meanwhile, a royal official’s child was sick and lying in Capernaum. Since John 4:49 mentions the child’s impending death, it is likely that the illness was terminal and beyond the help of contemporary medical treatment. After all, as a royal official, he would have access to the best physicians and medicines of the time.
The official came to Jesus and pleaded for Him to heal his son. However, Jesus did not go to his house, nor did He perform any religious rituals. Instead, He simply said, “Your son lives.” Given the cultural context of that time, this response could have been perceived as extremely rude.
For a high-ranking official to personally make a request only to be seemingly dismissed with a simple command, would have been considered disrespectful. Yet, the Bible records that the official did not get angry but instead believed Jesus’ word and left (Jhn 4:50).
As he was on his way back to Capernaum, he encountered his servant coming toward him. The servant informed him that his son had recovered. When he inquired about the exact time this happened, the servant replied that it was the seventh hour (1PM). The official then realized that this was precisely the moment when Jesus had declared, “Your son lives.” As a result, both the royal official and his entire households came to believe in Jesus.
- Believe and Started Off
Dear beloved saints, the key point of this story is that the official “believe and started off.” This phrase signifies the moment when faith and action align as one.
Let’s examine the passage once again. The royal official travelled from Capernaum to meet Jesus. The distance between Capernaum and Cana is approximately 25.5 kilometres (about 16 miles), which would have taken around seven hours to travel using the means of transportation available at that time. The fact that he made this long journey to see Jesus suggests that he had some hope that Jesus might be able to heal his son. However, Jesus pointed out that such a vague possibility is not true faith (Jhn 4:47-48). In verse 48, Jesus says, “Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” This reveals that the official did not come to Jesus with faith, but rather with a mindset of “it may or may not work.” Jesus was pointing out this lack of true belief.
In Jhn 4:49-50, the official pleaded with Jesus to come to his house in Capernaum before his child dies. However, Jesus simply responded, “Your son lives.” This time, the Bible records that the official believed in Jesus’ words. Not only did he believe, but he also departed.
Thus, “believe and started off” expresses that the official’s faith and actions were in perfect alignment. The Bible emphasizes that answers to prayer, God’s healing, and miracles are revealed when faith and actions come together as one.
Beloved saints, aren’t we in the same position as this royal official? Some of you may be facing an illness that you cannot overcome on your own, or you may be dealing with various problems and situations that seem impossible to resolve alone.
However, the royal official came to Jesus. He listened to Jesus’ words, believed, and departed, and as a result, he experienced a miracle and received a great blessing. Today, I urge you to come to Jesus, just as the royal official did. Approach Him, listen to His words, and act according to them so that your faith and actions may be in alignment.
I bless you in the name of the Lord that when this happens, even in situations that seem hopeless and near death, new life will be given, your prayers will be answered, miracles will unfold, and victory will fill your life.
- What Should We Believe?
- We Must Believe in the Words Of Jesus
John 4:50 “Jesus said to him, ‘Go your way; your son lives.’ The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he started off.”
The royal official believed in Jesus’ words, “Your son lives.” Likewise, we must first believe in the words of Jesus. Before the official believed in Jesus’ words, all he could see was death. He confessed that his son was dying, and his heart was filled with the reality of his child’s impending death. However, after believing in Jesus’ words, he began to see healing and life He saw resurrection and eternal life.
Dear believers, when we suffer for a long time, we tend to be consumed by our suffering and focus sorely on our circumstances. This means that we have not yet fully believed in God’s word. But when we truly believe in His word, we will be able to see life in the midst of death, success in the midst of failure, and joy in the midst of suffering (Heb 11:1).
Dear saints, this is what faith is. Faith is believing in what we cannot yet see. Faith is seeing and believing even when it has not yet appeared before our eyes.
- We Must Believe in Jesus Himself
We must believe in the words of Jesus that brings healing, but beyond that, we must also believe in Jesus Himself (Jhn 4:53).
The Bible records that through this event, the royal official’s entire household came to believe in Jesus. This means that their faith did not stop at believing in a single promise or a single miracle. Instead, their faith grew, and they came to believe in Jesus entirely (Jhn 3:16). The Bible makes it clear that apart from Jesus, sinful humanity can do nothing. We cannot bear any fruit on our own (Jhn 15:5).
May the Holy Spirit be poured out upon us today so that we may become individuals, families, and churches that believe not only in Jesus’ words but believe in Jesus entirely.
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 