The Life-Giving Word

The narrative now moves us to close out the Cana cycle as some have called it. It is bookended by Jesus first and second signs in Cana of Galilee.

43 After the two days He went forth from there into Galilee.

Consider what Jesus is leaving behind. A revival, where those who are coming to faith are coming to faith at Jesus word and teaching. No miracles. And he now moves on to a region that won’t believe unless they see miracles. Why does he move on. One reason is that Jesus is a student of the Scriptures. When he reads the Scriptures, he learns. He learns many things that he will do and be, but they are also of constant guide and direction for Him. I believe we see this in Matthew 4:12–16 “12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; 13 and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: 15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 “The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great Light, And those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, Upon them a Light dawned.””

Jesus sees himself in the Scriptures. His person and work, but also the steps, the path he is to take. And as we’ve mentioned, that’s his food, to find out and do the will of the Father, to finish his work. It’s the same for us, there is clear direction for us in the Scriptures. In many ways, Jesus ministry and direction are incomparable to ours. Only he is the Lamb of God. But in many ways, we are very similar to him. Not my will by thine be done. John 13:14–15 “14 “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 “For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.”

John 17:14 “14 “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”

I don’t need to tell you that there are no directions for what socks to wear on Monday morning. But I can tell you that Scripture has directions for how you speak to your husband on Monday morning, how you treat your wife. What the posture of your heart is toward your boss, your contentment with your circumstance in life.

44 For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country.

This is Johns preface. Remember what took place earlier when Jesus wouldn’t entrust himself to them?

45 So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things that He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves also went to the feast.

The welcome is superficial.

Notice why they received him. It says in the text that they received him having heard that he was the Lamb of God and Savior of the World.. Do you see that in your text?…..No it doesn’t say that. Maybe it will be in the ESV 2027, but its not in our text. They received him because he performed miracles at the passover. So why not let him in and hear what he has to say, and maybe he’ll perform some more signs and wonders.

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.”

John confronts

It’s not a rejection of signs and miracles, but the desire and demand for such.

M Henry

“Christ first shows him his sin and weakness, to prepare him for mercy, and then grants his request. Those whom Christ intends to honour with his favours he first humbles with his frowns. The [coming] Comforter [too] shall first [convict],”

49 The royal official said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”

Faith begun

50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off.

Progress of faith

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.”

If his faith was perfect, what would he have said? Wow. Jesus healed my son with just a word. He doesn’t say that though, his faith is yet immature. He enquires when it happened, almost anticipating that it might have happened on it’s own, not at the exact time when Jesus pronounced him well.

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.

Faith matured.

54 This is again a second sign that Jesus performed when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.

Listen to Aquinas:

“The first coming [of Jesus] was in all gentleness to bring joy.… This is signified by the wine. His second coming into the world will be in majesty, when he will come to take away our weaknesses and our punishments, and to make us like his radiant body. And this is signified in the cure of the sick son.”