Week 3 1 HEALING OF THE OFFIC IAL S SON The miraculous sign we will be studying about this week is one of the Lord s less famous, although often thought to be a slightly different version of the healing of the Centurion s servant recorded in Matthew and Luke 1. While there are some similarities to both stories, the details provided by John make it clear that it is a separate incident from the other versions recorded by Matthew and Luke. As we enter into the story line, Jesus has returned back to Cana from Jerusalem. Contextually this story takes place sometime after Passover in the first year of his ministry, scholars designate that year as the Proclamation of the Kingdom. Jesus is touring Israel and Samaria proclaiming the Kingdom of God has come. In fact, just prior to the event we will be studying this week, Jesus has returned through Samaria where he met the Woman at the Well where she and her village came to believe in Jesus as the Messiah. The theme of belief becomes the key to understanding the sign contained within the miraculous event here with the official s son. PART 1: BELIEVED THE WORD JOHN 4 :46-54 For the sake of context, read the story of the Healing of the Official s son in John 4:43 54 and answer the following questions. What do we know about the man who sought Jesus to heal his son? (v. 46-47) At what point in his illness is the son? BELIEVE From the Greek, pisteuō, meaning "to believe," also "to be persuaded of," and hence, "to place confidence in, to trust," signifies, in this sense of the word, reliance upon, not mere credence. What is the official s tone in approaching Jesus? What does Jesus first say? When the royal official implores Jesus once more to come, what is Jesus response? What does the statement The man took Jesus at his word and departed (the second part of v. 50) imply? Why did he inquire of his servants the time when his son was healed? What was the result of the official coming to understand the timing of his son s healing? 1 See Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10
2 Signs of Glory: Grace and Truth Now that we ve taken a close look at the details of this event, let s get in a little deeper. We are told in verse 46 that there was a certain royal official in Capernaum. These two little details point to something significant. First, the official is designated as a royal official he serves under Herod Antipas the King of Galilee and Perea. While Herod Antipas serves the pleasure of the Roman Empire, he is none the less head of the tetrarchy of Galilee and Perea and claims to be a Jew. This official works for him at the governmental seat in Capernaum. It is unknown if this official is a Jew or a gentile, although that may not be significant since Jesus had just returned from proclaiming the Kingdom of God to the Samaritans. What is significant is that fact that he is an official of the Kingdom of the Jews, national Israel. The next point of significance is the demeanor of this royal official. He is not proud, arrogant or demanding of Jesus to come to him in Capernaum. Instead, he goes to Jesus and begged him to come and heal his son (v.48). In verse 49, he implores Jesus once more to come down before my child dies, even addressing Jesus as Sir. From the Greek, kyrios, this word is properly an adjective, signifying "having power" (kuros) or "authority," is used as a noun, variously translated in the NT, "'Lord,' 'master,' 'owner,' 'sir,' a title of wide significance, occurring in each book of the NT 2. The fact that this royal official comes to Jesus (rather than the other way around) and address him as Sir reveals that this man believes on some level Jesus can help his dying son. We will soon see to what level he believes; actually we will follow a progression of his belief. In this brief story Jesus speaks only twice. The first time in verse 48 where it appears, at least in the NIV, he addresses the royal official and whoever else is present. There are an unknown number of spectators to this conversation: possibly some disciples, Galileans, maybe some attendants to the royal official. Exactly who is in attendance is unknown, but the mention of his warm welcome to Galilee allows for the assumption that there are witnesses, and it is to them as well as the official that he makes the remark, "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders you will never believe." Despite this somewhat harsh or critical remark, Jesus goes on to heal the official s son, but only after the royal official persists in his request. The second half of verse 50 reveals another measure of the official s faith. In the NIV it says The man took Jesus at his word and departed. The NRSV translates Jesus words a little differently, but that translation is significant. It says, The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way, a better translation of the Greek, pisteuō ho logos 3. In our first week of homework we discussed the significance of logos, the dynamic power of the Word proceeding forth and effecting whatever God has willed. In this instance we have Jesus speaking the words, "Go; your son will live" V. 50 (NRSV). When looking at the grammatical structure of Jesus words we see two imperative commands: Go and he will live. His Word, while speaking to the royal official, is going forth at that moment to heal the official s son. Certainly the official does not fully comprehend the power contained in Jesus words, but he has enough faith, or belief in Jesus ability to heal that he believed the word Jesus spoke, and obeyed his command to Go. We later see that his faith has been rewarded when the official encounters his servants as he returns presumably to Capernaum. His belief in Jesus word are confirmed when he learns his son was healed at the same time Jesus spoke. Then in verse 50 we are told that he and his whole household believed. What new insight or understanding have you gained from today s lesson? 2 Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words 3 Mounce Reverse-Interlinear New Testament, 2011. https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/mounce-reverse- Interlinear-New-Testament/ (Mounce) 2015 Elizabeth Knapp and Living in God s Word. All Rights Reserved.
3 PART 2: BUILDING TRUE FAITH JOHN 4:46-54 Our study yesterday gave us a very clear understanding of the story surrounding the royal official seeking Jesus help. Today we will spend some time looking at the progression of faith experienced by the royal official. Take a few minutes to read our passage once again and answer the following questions. Let s first take a look at the progression of belief in the royal official. Describe what you think he believed: 1. When he initially sought out Jesus 2. When he believed the word Jesus spoke (v. 50) 3. When he realized his son was healed the moment Jesus said his son will live (v. 53) The last thing we hear in verse 53 is that is whole household believed. Describe what you think transpired in that household. Next let s consider the identity of this royal official. For whom did he work? What kingdom did he work for? For most of the scripture passage he is referred to as the royal official. At what point does his identification first change? His identity changes once again. Where does this happen and after what has transpired? Throughout scripture many of the physical healings manifested by Jesus symbolize an internal spiritual healing. This account reveals a progression in the belief held by the royal official. As Jesus meets the physical needs of the official s son, we see a progression of spiritual healing (or increase) in the father as well. When he first approaches Jesus, he assuredly has heard of the stories, if not actually seen, the healings performed by Jesus. Verses 44-45 remind us that Jesus was welcomed back to Galilee by the Galileans since they had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the festival; for they too had gone to the festival. We don t know if the royal official is a Jew and had been in Jerusalem to see these miracles, but he d evidently at least heard of them. His son was dying, nothing else could help his son, and perhaps Jesus could. At this point he had enough belief in Jesus to go to him for help.
4 Signs of Glory: Grace and Truth Despite Jesus rebuke for faith built on signs and wonders, the official persists. We are told he believes Jesus word and obeys Jesus command to go. He had enough faith to believe that what Jesus This is true faith to believe that what Jesus says is true. said was true. He didn t long for it to be true; he believed it to be true. This is true faith to believe that what Jesus says is true. Perhaps it is because Jesus could see this level of faith in the heart of the official that Jesus healed his son. Just as he could read the faith of Nathanael s heart sitting under the fig tree, he could see the heart of the royal official. Upon receiving confirmation that his son was healed, the man s faith was also confirmed and strengthened. He could do nothing else but share this wondrous event with his household. Share how Jesus had met the needs of his family and in doing so, confirmed and strengthened his faith. A sense of desperate need was transformed into loving gratitude and true belief in Jesus. Through this experience we are given another perspective of change in the royal official. At the beginning of this story his is referred to as the royal official. As we learned yesterday, he was an official in the court of King Herod Antipas who ruled Galilee and Perea. This man is not the true king. We know Jesus is the true king of all Israel as attested to in the birth narratives 4. The official s allegiance is to Herod Antipas and his temporal kingdom. When Jesus tells the official his son will live, he is referred to as the man ; and upon confirmation of the healing, he is referred to as the father. Paralleling the building of faith we also have a stripping away of his temporal identity. As his belief in Jesus increases he becomes part of the new kingdom which Christ is proclaiming at this point in his ministry the Kingdom of God. Now his allegiance lies in the spiritual kingdom. Certainly this man goes back to the courts of Herod Antipas, but now almost as a subversive he can share his story and faith recruiting others to the Kingdom of God. What new understanding have you gained from today s lesson? PART 3: BELIEVING WITHOUT SEEING JOHN 4:46-54 In yesterday s homework we looked at the faith of the royal official. There is a strong parallel between the story of the Royal Official and the Centurion s Servant as recorded in Matthew. Today we will examine the role that signs and wonders play in faith. Read Matthew 8:5-13. What do these two stories have in common? 4 Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 2:11, 28-32 2015 Elizabeth Knapp and Living in God s Word. All Rights Reserved.
5 What statement(s) does the Centurion make that reveal the level of his belief in Jesus? What is Jesus response? What can we say about the Centurion s faith? Next well take a look at the faith of the Galileans whom Jesus is addressing in the royal official s story. Read John 4: 43-48 and answer the following questions. What does John tell us about the Galileans in verse 45? This reference to Passover in Jerusalem is recorded in John 2:23-25: When he was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to testify about anyone; for he himself knew what was in everyone. (NRSV) What does John 2:23-25 tell us about Jesus activities in Jerusalem? What was the people s response to his signs? What was Jesus response to their believing? These three verses from John 2 give us insight into Jesus and the nature of believing. The faith of those who saw and believed in Jesus at Passover in Jerusalem did not necessarily have true faith in Jesus. They believed he was a Healer, not necessarily their Savior. This is why Jesus did not trust them or their faith. He could read the hearts of those who saw and professed faith, but what he saw was not true faith in who Jesus is. Faith based on signs is insufficient faith. Many of the early followers whose faith was based solely on his miracles and healings would desert him when he refused to become the political king or messiah they desired 5. The purpose of the miraculous signs was not so much to convince skeptics, but to be a signal that he was the messiah. They are signs to prompt or encourage open hearts to take the next step in believing that he is the messiah they have waited for. Verse 23 says many believed in his 5 John 6:15, 60, 66
6 Signs of Glory: Grace and Truth OBSERVE From the Greek, theōreō, which is used of one who looks at a thing with interest and for a purpose, usually indicating the careful observation of details. name because they saw the signs that he was doing. The word translated saw may be better translated as observed. The original Greek word is theōreō, which is used of one who looks at a thing with interest and for a purpose, usually indicating the careful observation of details. 6 Those with an open heart seeking the truth would contemplate and regard the signs and wonders performed by Jesus as signs identifying him as the messiah. Notice though it takes action on the part of the observer to draw this conclusion. By the time Jesus returns to Galilee and says to the royal official and perhaps more importantly those Galileans present who had witnessed the signs and wonders in Jerusalem "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe"(4:48) he is rebuking the crowd s desire for a spectacle of healing. They want to see more signs and wonders for the sake of the signs and wonders, not for any spiritual need of encouraging faith. They have had the signs and wonders but have not chosen to believe that he is the messiah, only the royal official is said to believe, and he does so without seeing a sign. Only the one who can see into the hearts of men and women can discern if their belief is true. Man cannot divine another s true faith, only Christ can. Jesus knows the heart of each individual. Nathanael didn t believe Jesus until Jesus supernaturally revealed seeing him under the fig tree. Nathanael believed after seeing. He s not the only one of Jesus followers who needed a sign in order to fully believe. It is part of human nature to want evidence. Thomas also had to see in order to believe. Read John 20:24-29. What do you learn of Thomas faith? Upon seeing the risen Christ before him, what does Thomas exclaim? What is the significance of his proclamation? What does Jesus say in response? How is this beatitude both a challenge and a promise to believers today? Thomas is not merely a doubter, he is representative of many Christians who have hesitations in their faith, yet are also able to see and proclaim great things when their stumbling block to faith is removed. Thomas can t believe until he sees for himself the risen Christ, but then his faith is even stronger and is able to proclaim, "My Lord and my God!" v. 28 (NRSV). Here is a skeptical man who when confronted with the evidence of Christ risen standing before him announces to all around him, that 6 Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words 2015 Elizabeth Knapp and Living in God s Word. All Rights Reserved.
7 Jesus his Rabbi and Lord -- is God manifest. God dwelling among them in the man Jesus, calling to mind John s proclamation in the prologue. It would appear that for some, like Nathanael and Thomas, a sign or wonder is needed to build true faith and belief in who Jesus claims to be. And knowing the heart of men and women like these two men, Jesus provides the sign that allows them to believe. But then there are those who, like the Royal Official and the Centurion, need no such sign or wonder in order to truly believe him. Perhaps these believers are much fewer in number because we see Jesus astonished at their faith. Those who are able to make that particular leap of faith he calls blessed Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." (20:29). This beatitude also carries a silent warning: a faith built only on miraculous signs is not a complete faith. Those who witnessed the signs in Jerusalem (2:23-25) are examples of incomplete faith. We don t know if their faith was later fortified, and some became true follower of Jesus. All we are told is that Jesus didn t believe their profession of belief. Faith in Jesus is absolutely necessary, but not all believers are given public portents, there is an interior choice that the individual has to make of their own accord, and it is that decision that only God can read in our hearts. Did something new come to you from our lesson today? And the Word became flesh and dwelled among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 PART 4: SIGN OF LIFE JOHN 4:46-54 The last segment of our homework this week will focus on what this second sign reveals about our Lord. We ve already studied a few things this week that speak about faith and the purpose of Jesus signs. From our homework yesterday write down the purpose of the signs and miracles Jesus performed. What was the miraculous sign in the story of the Royal Official? According to verses 47 and 49, to what point had the son s illness reached?
8 Signs of Glory: Grace and Truth Complete the following to statements from verses 50 and 51: Jesus said to him, "Go; your son will." his slaves met him and told him that his child was. Upon receiving confirmation of Jesus words to the royal official, what are we told regarding the official and his household? LIFE From the Greek, zoe, not just physical life which was created according to Genesis 1, but spiritual life of relationship with the Lord and the Father What did they believe? What does John 1:12 promise? Some scholars look at this sign, as well as the story of the Centurion s Servant, and come to the conclusion that this sign reveal s two things about Jesus. First that he has the power and authority to heal miraculously; and second, he can heal at a distance. He does not need to lay hands upon or recite incantations over the ailing person. He must have the power and authority of a god. While this is true there is more to this miraculous healing than just healing. The boy is describe as being at the point of death (v.47). Life is about to end for this child, he will die. Jesus, in healing the boy, restores life to him. As I mentioned in our homework earlier this week, many of the physical healings manifested by Jesus symbolize an internal spiritual healing. We are told that the boy s father believed and the whole household came to believe. Believe what? That Jesus is the Messiah. The sign came after the act of obedience on the part of the royal official. He believed Jesus word and went his way. Clearly he believed Jesus to be more than a healer, he believed in Jesus. He believed Jesus was what his miraculous signs revealed him to be the Messiah. This belief changed the eternal future of this man and his household (including his son). Upon believing Jesus is the Son of God, they became children of God and receive the inheritance set aside for children of God eternal life. Just as it was only through Jesus intervention and physical healing of the boy, it is only through Jesus our faith and belief in his identity as the Son of God that he and we have eternal life. In your own words describe what you think are the significant elements of the healing of the royal official s son. What should we take from this sign? 2015 Elizabeth Knapp and Living in God s Word. All Rights Reserved.
9 READ RESPOND REFLECT REST Before concluding our study today, let s implement the discipline of lectio divina that we have used the last few weeks. Let this practice help you enter a dialogue with the Lord on this scripture passage. Let him show you the significance of our scripture passage for this week. Read the story of the Royal Official once more. Take a few minutes to sit in the peace and quiet of the presence of the Lord. Let him reveal to you the significance of the sign contained in the miraculous healing of the official s son. Reflect on what this sign means for you. Finally, rest in his Word and presence. When you are finished, write down any thoughts you might want to remember or share with the group.