Episode 7 – The Word (Part 2) – John 4:43-54
The Context
As we bring to a close John Season 1, it is worth taking a moment to consider that the place Jesus returns to here at the end of chapter 4 is the same place he performed his first miracle, in Galilee. And not just in Galilee, but Jesus is even going to return to Cana, where the wedding banquet took place and Jesus turned water into wine. In the three chapters that fall between the bookends of Cana, consider all that Jesus has already done. John Season 1 has really only scratched the surface of what John witnessed and wrote about on the life of Christ.
Now, not surprisingly, a person doesn’t turn gallons upon gallons of water into wine and clear out the temple courts in Jerusalem without making a name for himself. Jesus returns to Cana and quickly finds that his reputation is beginning to draw people seeking things other than the Messiah. Thus begins a model of evangelism that Jesus will repeat throughout his ministry; meet the people where they are at, the point of their most pressing need, and then begin to show them where they truly need to go.
Now, not surprisingly, a person doesn’t turn gallons upon gallons of water into wine and clear out the temple courts in Jerusalem without making a name for himself. Jesus returns to Cana and quickly finds that his reputation is beginning to draw people seeking things other than the Messiah. Thus begins a model of evangelism that Jesus will repeat throughout his ministry; meet the people where they are at, the point of their most pressing need, and then begin to show them where they truly need to go.
Time Alone
Along with this book, have your Bible and a pen ready. Consider how blessed you are to have a Bible in your hands, knowledge of the Truth in your mind, and in your heart the calling of the Lord for you to go deeper, daring you to try and see how vast His love is for you.
Read John 4:43-54
Let’s not assume that the royal official is coming to Jesus with any real confidence that this Jesus of Nazareth can heal his fatally ill son. Jesus has turned water into wine and displayed religious authority in the Jerusalem temple, but the Messiah has yet to perform a miraculous healing. This is a 20 mile walk of desperation from Capernaum to Cana for the official, having nothing to lose but the regret that you left one stone unturned.
Have you ever been in a moment like this, desperate to discover one more opportunity to find hope, so with nothing left but a prayer you plead for God to do something?
Don’t be afraid to allow your emotions to surface as you answer this next question. Whether it’s rejoicing or unresolved anger that wells up in your heart, Jesus calls us to come just as we are.
Did God answer your prayer in the way that you asked?
No one but God can truly speak as to why some will have their desperate prayers answered with the new job that gets the mortgage paid and food on the table, the change of heart that brings newfound healing and restoration to the failing marriage, the healing of a dying child that medicine said it could not heal. No one but God can give an answer as to why many desperate prayers still see the house foreclose, the marriage divorce, or the child gone too soon.
But no prayer ever goes unanswered.
In his love for the world, why did God give us his one and only Son? “…that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16b NIV
Before telling the official that his son would live, Jesus says in verse 48, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.” NIV
Why do you believe Jesus healed the official’s son?
So it seems that the purpose for which Jesus healed the official’s son was not to spare this father from having to grieve the loss of his child, but so that through this wonderous sign a family would come to believe in Jesus.
Our greatest need isn’t to have a good paying job, have plenty of food to eat, or even be healed of cancer. Though these things may come as an answer to prayer, in God’s love for us he gives us a promise in Philippians 4 that in Christ Jesus all of our true needs will be met. But, how important are things even such as these when compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus? Do you we pray for such things? Of course! But let these prayers always be in the periphery of eyes that are fixed on the salvation found in Jesus Christ our Savior.
What does the things you pray for say about what you hold most important in life?
Friend, if there is one thing that this life teaches that we can trust to happen, it’s that trials will come and storms will take what once was a calm sea and turn it into something down right ugly. If there is one thing that the Bible teaches us that we can trust, it is in the one who told the winds and the waves to be still, and they obeyed.
As John Season 1 comes to an end, perhaps this is where a new chapter for you needs to begin, one that tells the story of a follower of Christ who in faith chose to trust in the goodness of God, even when walking through the darkest of valleys. Maybe for others the aim is to write yet another chapter in your book that tells of a life built upon the hope that you have in Jesus Christ, Son of God who saved us from our sins by dying for them upon a criminal’s cross.
If Jesus didn’t fail us then, trust that he won’t fail us now.
How do you focus your eyes on Jesus when the storms of this world seem to take aim at your life? Do you have a favorite Bible verse or song you reflect upon when God has not answered your prayers as you hoped? If so, write out the verse or lyrics below.
Read John 4:43-54
Let’s not assume that the royal official is coming to Jesus with any real confidence that this Jesus of Nazareth can heal his fatally ill son. Jesus has turned water into wine and displayed religious authority in the Jerusalem temple, but the Messiah has yet to perform a miraculous healing. This is a 20 mile walk of desperation from Capernaum to Cana for the official, having nothing to lose but the regret that you left one stone unturned.
Have you ever been in a moment like this, desperate to discover one more opportunity to find hope, so with nothing left but a prayer you plead for God to do something?
Don’t be afraid to allow your emotions to surface as you answer this next question. Whether it’s rejoicing or unresolved anger that wells up in your heart, Jesus calls us to come just as we are.
Did God answer your prayer in the way that you asked?
No one but God can truly speak as to why some will have their desperate prayers answered with the new job that gets the mortgage paid and food on the table, the change of heart that brings newfound healing and restoration to the failing marriage, the healing of a dying child that medicine said it could not heal. No one but God can give an answer as to why many desperate prayers still see the house foreclose, the marriage divorce, or the child gone too soon.
But no prayer ever goes unanswered.
In his love for the world, why did God give us his one and only Son? “…that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16b NIV
Before telling the official that his son would live, Jesus says in verse 48, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.” NIV
Why do you believe Jesus healed the official’s son?
So it seems that the purpose for which Jesus healed the official’s son was not to spare this father from having to grieve the loss of his child, but so that through this wonderous sign a family would come to believe in Jesus.
Our greatest need isn’t to have a good paying job, have plenty of food to eat, or even be healed of cancer. Though these things may come as an answer to prayer, in God’s love for us he gives us a promise in Philippians 4 that in Christ Jesus all of our true needs will be met. But, how important are things even such as these when compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus? Do you we pray for such things? Of course! But let these prayers always be in the periphery of eyes that are fixed on the salvation found in Jesus Christ our Savior.
What does the things you pray for say about what you hold most important in life?
Friend, if there is one thing that this life teaches that we can trust to happen, it’s that trials will come and storms will take what once was a calm sea and turn it into something down right ugly. If there is one thing that the Bible teaches us that we can trust, it is in the one who told the winds and the waves to be still, and they obeyed.
As John Season 1 comes to an end, perhaps this is where a new chapter for you needs to begin, one that tells the story of a follower of Christ who in faith chose to trust in the goodness of God, even when walking through the darkest of valleys. Maybe for others the aim is to write yet another chapter in your book that tells of a life built upon the hope that you have in Jesus Christ, Son of God who saved us from our sins by dying for them upon a criminal’s cross.
If Jesus didn’t fail us then, trust that he won’t fail us now.
How do you focus your eyes on Jesus when the storms of this world seem to take aim at your life? Do you have a favorite Bible verse or song you reflect upon when God has not answered your prayers as you hoped? If so, write out the verse or lyrics below.
Time Together
Whether you are a part of a small group or have decided to get together with a couple of friends to discuss Sunday’s teaching over coffee, this section of questions is provided to help guide a group discussion. Our hope is that these questions, along with sharing from moments during your personal study time, will lead to conversations that are both edifying and life changing.
Have someone read John 4:43-54
The official asked Jesus to go back with him to Capernaum, maybe having it in his mind that Jesus had to see his child in order to heal him, or physically be there to lay hands upon him. But Jesus tells him to go, that what the father has asked for has already been done to the son.
Now comes the full day’s walk back to Capernaum, leaving behind the man who was your last source of hope. But John writes, “The man took Jesus at his word and departed.” John 4:50 NIV
Have you ever received a word from God, such as an affirmation or promise, maybe a strong sense of calling or peace, but fulfillment of that word required you to wait?
What happens in the waiting?
Let’s really consider those hours that the official was walking back to his home having nothing but the word of Jesus that he had made the choice to believe, because these hours represent years and even seasons of life of some people. There are many promises from God in the Scriptures that we have the choice to believe in but requires that we walk many miles until we see those promises fulfilled.
Having chosen to believe the word of Jesus that his son would be healed, how do you picture the way this father walked back to Capernaum? With joy and excitement? Angst and worry? Fearfully or with great peace?
How are you walking right now? Though life has many uncertainties, we have the word of the Lord that salvation is freely offered to all who believe. Are you taking Jesus at his word and walking with great joy and peace?
Have someone read John 4:43-54
The official asked Jesus to go back with him to Capernaum, maybe having it in his mind that Jesus had to see his child in order to heal him, or physically be there to lay hands upon him. But Jesus tells him to go, that what the father has asked for has already been done to the son.
Now comes the full day’s walk back to Capernaum, leaving behind the man who was your last source of hope. But John writes, “The man took Jesus at his word and departed.” John 4:50 NIV
Have you ever received a word from God, such as an affirmation or promise, maybe a strong sense of calling or peace, but fulfillment of that word required you to wait?
What happens in the waiting?
Let’s really consider those hours that the official was walking back to his home having nothing but the word of Jesus that he had made the choice to believe, because these hours represent years and even seasons of life of some people. There are many promises from God in the Scriptures that we have the choice to believe in but requires that we walk many miles until we see those promises fulfilled.
Having chosen to believe the word of Jesus that his son would be healed, how do you picture the way this father walked back to Capernaum? With joy and excitement? Angst and worry? Fearfully or with great peace?
How are you walking right now? Though life has many uncertainties, we have the word of the Lord that salvation is freely offered to all who believe. Are you taking Jesus at his word and walking with great joy and peace?
Time for More
If you are looking to grow in your knowledge of the Bible and desire to have a plan for further reading, here is a list of Scriptures that cross reference to certain parts within this week’s text. A cross reference is two biblical texts that share similar meaning and reading these is an effective way to expand your understanding of the Bible as one book, divided into 66 little books, all centered on Jesus Christ.
John 4:48 < > John 20:24-29
John 4:48 < > John 20:24-29
Posted in For Second Chances