Expectation based on Past Performance

John 4: 46-54

When going back to an area you have lived in or spent time in, the people who knew you always form expectations based on past performance, and this was also true with Jesus returning to Galilee where He had made wine.  When Jesus and his disciples got to Capernaum, an official heard that this Jesus, who had turned water to wine, was back in the area.  He came to Jesus with a big problem, his son was very ill.  The Bible tells us this man’s son was at the point of death, and we can be sure that being a man of importance, he has explored all avenues and only a miracle could save his son.  What we do not know is, if this man the Bible refers to as an official has any belief in Jesus, or was it like so many when told they have only months to live, they will try just about anything. 

Now place yourself in the official shoes, it is your son, the doctors have said we can do no more, your only hope is a miracle.  Now you may be the big dog in your town, but you never felt more needed in your entire life, and you begin searching for anyone, or anything that has the ability to restore the life of your son.  We are not given information about how this official heard about Jesus, but it may have been one of the servants who Mary told to “Do whatever he tells you.”  You remember the story, there were six stone water jars and they each held twenty or thirty gallons and Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.”  And they did and then Jesus said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.”  We know that the master of the wedding feast took it not knowing what Jesus had done, and declared it was by far the best wine that had been served. 

Yes, it is hard to keep a secret in a small town, and yet we do not know how the official heard about Jesus, but this is recorded in John 4:47, “When the man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.”  Now you’re the dad, your running out of hope, and your out of time, your son will soon be dead, and you have gone to Jesus, and all you want is to hear him say, take me to your son, so I can heal him.  Surely, that is what your going to hear, but it does not.  This is what Jesus said, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”  Now remember you’re an official, your somebody of importance and this new Rabbi has not answered in a manner in keeping with what you expect from those of a lower social group.  Does the official lose his cool, does he walk away saying, why did I go to this guy, no, John tells us “The official said to him, “Sir come down before my child dies.”  Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” 

Now these are words that move heaven, at these words the angels rejoice, simple words, but when put into action, they can move mountains, this is what is reported; “The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering.  So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.”  The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.”  And he himself believed, and all his household.” (John 4:50-53)

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice