Jn 4:46-54 "Faith Healing the Way Jesus Did It.

Introduction

For those keeping score at home, the last verse may cause a conundrum. Why is this the 3rd sermon in the series, but John 4.54 states the this is the second sign. Note that this states it is the 2nd sign in Galilee; the 2nd overall sign was in Jerusalem when Jesus reclaimed the Temple for its intended purpose.

It may be cruel of me to introduce such a desperate situation so soon after all the love and abundance of your Christmas celebration. But the truth is that life seldom takes a pause. Even on holidays the Fire department answers calls, the Sheriff’s office tends to emergencies, and the hospital remains open and staffed.

TRANSITION: Today’s story begins with a member of the King’s cabinet facing an emergency.

1. Desperation Demands Faith

John 4:46-47

The descriptor official is derived from the ancient word for King. It is not lost on me that a representative of the human king was compelled to reach out to a representative of the Heavenly king for action. This member of the King’s administration (who is powerful enough to have servants) had deep concern for his son who is at the point of death. (Jn 4.47)

[an interesting side note is that if this man is indeed a representative of the king, he is unlikely to be Jewish. The first part of John 4 describes interaction with a woman of Samaria, this late part of the chapter displays a (likely) Gentile coming to faith. Take Note that God’s love for the nations, for ALL ethnicities, did not begin at Pentecost! There is evidence of God receiving all races throughout human history. In our days of conflict over antisemitism, it is important to realize that even when God had a special plan for the children of Abraham, He was never a “only for the Jews” type of God.]

True faith often begins in our moments of deepest need. Desperation can be a catalyst for seeking out Jesus in our lives, illustrating the connection between urgent need and reaching out to Christ.

I wonder what it was about Jesus’ ministry that made this man think Jesus could (or would) heal his son. It is true that none of the Gospel writers recorded everything that Jesus did, but if you read the first 4 chapters of THIS gospel, there has been no recording of any healing, yet this politician had an inkling, or he was so totally desperate that he would try anything.

How is it that the beatitudes begin in the Sermon on the Mount? Blessed are the poor in spirit. Jesus offers blessing to those who will admit they are at the end of themselves, that they are bankrupt when it comes to the resources to change things.

This suggests that, like the official, our journeys of faith often start when we recognize our own inability and look to Jesus for help.

TRANSITION: Jesus probes to excavate if the man wants to believe, or if he only wants a healing.

2. Displays Can lead to Faith

John 4:48

Sometimes we want the Savior, other times we only want the sign.

I’ve been amazed at how many times 2 people can witness the same event and draw 2 opposite conclusions.

Two Hunters were in a duck blind and each was bragging on his own bird dog. After tolerating an earful of his braggadocios partner, one hunter hears a flock approaching and finally says, “watch this!”

He unloads both barrels and drops 2 birds over the open water. His retriever immediately leaps out of the blind and walks on the water to retrieve, not one, but both ducks and brings them back to the feet of his human.

The second hunter scoffs and says, “Can’t even swim, can he?”

Jesus uses Jn 4.48 to open the mind of the official to a greater reality. Sure, it would be nice if his son lived to die at a later time. But Jesus wanted the man to broaden his horizon beyond this life. Jesus is asking if the man, and those of us in this room, only want a party trick, or are we willing to submit to a new master, a greater King.

Jesus recognizes that the man is so perplexed by the immediacy of his concern, that he can’t set healing aside to consider what Jesus was trying to teach.

Sometimes miracles involve 2-step faith.

Mark 8:23-25 gives another example of 2-stage healing. In the Mark passage Jesus heals a blind man partially so that the man says, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” But Mark 8:25 describes an amazing 2nd-step—“Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.”

TRANSITION: This 2-stage belief begins in the next verse.

3. Faith Derived from a Sure Word

John 4:49-50

I see the faith progression starts with believing the specific words “Go; your son will live.”. Jesus responds to the man’s immediate, pressing need.

Jesus didn’t give him an ointment to apply. He didn’t give him a vial of holy water. He didn’t pick an herb for the man to brew into a tea. He didn’t pray over a handkerchief. He didn’t require the man to “sow a seed of faith.” Jesus said a phrase, the man believed it to be true, and he headed home.

I am convinced as we stand on the precipice of a new year, we can experience profound faith by trusting in Jesus' promises amidst uncertain circumstances.

I don’t know what “affordability” may look like in 2026. I don’t know what will happen with mid-term elections. I don’t know what will happen with Health Insurance credits. I have the same uncertainty that this official had when he approached Jesus.

I admit that there are circumstances about which I am powerless, yet I am convinces that Jesus will do all that He has promised, in the perfect time.

TRANSITION: In the final few verses, we see the faith of a healing turn into belief that changes a whole household.

4. Divine action is not coincidence.

John 4:51-54

The boy’s recovery is so profound that servants do not wait for the man to arrive home. They meet him on the road to give him the news of the fever breaking.

The official connects the dots to the exact hour that Jesus had spoken of healing.

We just finished Advent, in the first Christmas we find events that are too amazing to be coincidence. Consider that barren Elizabeth and Virgin Mary both conceive at the same time. Consider that preborn John kicked at just the time preborn Jesus arrived. Consider all the maneuverings to get Mary into the city of David that night. Consider how Simeon happened to be in the Temple court on the very day that Jesus was presented for circumcision. Consider the star that was in the sky for the entire journey of the Magi. Consider the threat that would take Jesus at night to Egypt. Consider how the gifts of the Magi would finance that unexpected journey.

They joyful confirmation of Jesus’ word coming true becomes confirmation in Jesus' power and the nature of true belief that transforms the believer's life.

I am convinced that the man’s belief in Jn 4.50 and the family’s belief in Jn 4.53 are not quite the same. Hope, Faith, and Believe are similar words.

Heb 11:1 tells us

Hebrews 11:1 ESV:2016

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Romans 8:24 tells us that we don’t hope for what we already see.

I don’t think the family’s belief in Jn 4.43 is a belief in Jesus’ words that the boy would live, I believe it is in the unseen authority of Jesus that leads to eternal life.

This story fits into John’s bigger theme. John is writing so that people would believe Jesus is the Christ.

Conclusion:

I don’t know about your evaluation of 2025. For me it was a pretty good year, but there are still some situations I face that require faith in someone who can intervene in my desperate situations.

While there are things in my life that could lead me to the despair of the man in today’s text, I, like him, am looking to Jesus to act in the days, weeks and year ahead.

In 2026 I’m leaning into the promises of God!

Light & Lamp Application:

Light for my Path

Faith encourages seekers to follow Jesus actively and to trust in His word alone.

Lamps for my Steps

Reckon tough times as opportunities to choose to believe.

Recall the times you have seen God’s promises eventually come true.

Stretch your faith by listing 3 names on the enclosed 3x5 card of people you are believing to get saved or return to fellowship with Christ.