Walking With Just A Word

John 4:46-54

Transition: Because we are moving into the season of Lent in this month, I wanted to memorize this verse so that it will help us remember this season is for soul searching. It’s for knowing Christ—participating with His sufferings—Only then can we truly experience resurrection.

Memory Verse: “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10, NIV).

Transition to Sermon:

Today’s text is interesting. I’ve been following the Narrative Lectionary and we’ve been tracking through the book of John- looking closely at the LIFE of Jesus.

This week’s passage was actually two “Healing Stories.” I had options when choosing today’s text. I could have preached both stories—the one of Jesus healing the official’s son, or the story of Jesus healing the lame man at the pool of Bethsaida. 

I felt led to share the story found in John 4:46-54. I felt this story was something that we could all relate to on some level. 

Have you ever found yourself somewhere between the “Amen—and the it is?” Somewhere between the prayer—and the answer? 

Let’s be real—that’s a hard place to be. We sing all the time, “Tis So Sweet To Trust in Jesus…Just to take Him at His word…Just to rest upon His promise, just to know, Thus Saith the Lord.”

I mean it sounds good, right—-and we eventually get there of finding the sweetness, 

But initially, it’s hard.

It’s interesting. John had chosen the songs that we sang today almost three weeks ago. We’ve not had in-person worship services, so we just took those song selections and fast-forwarded for today. “Trust and Obey” couldn’t have been more perfect for what we’re going to study this morning. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still And with all who will trust and obey.

The initial response- to just walk with the Lord’s word isn’t easy. It’s something we do, and then the feelings catch up later. 

Let’s turn to John 4:46-54. I’m going to read the text in the NIV, but during the sermon, I will probably switch out for NKJV because of a few preferred word choices—but let’s read along: 

READING OF THE TEXT

TRANSITION—This is the Word of God for the People of God—Thanks be to God

PRAYER—

Picture the scene. Jesus is now in Cana—this is where He turned the water into wine.

Now, when a “Certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum,” heard that JESUS was in town he—himself, he didn’t send his staff, his servants, HE Himself made the journey over the mountainous terrain about 20-25 miles to Cana. 

Let’s get think through this… 

Who is this guy? A royal official—meaning, he was a big deal. He was a man of high standing at the court of Herod Antipas—most likely on the payroll. 

Who was he seeking? Someone with no greater status than the village carpenter. 

Maybe the news had traveled fast about what Jesus had done with the water and wine. We’re not told what he knew about Jesus, but it was enough to spark some hope. 

But—for this royal official to seek out the Carpenter, he realized that his position as a royal official— his power, his money, his influence didn’t mount up to a hill of beans in this scenario. 

His child was sick. His child was gravely ill. His child was hanging on to life by a thread. His boy was lying still at death’s door. The father was desperate. He wanted healing—a supernatural healing.

This man had some level of faith for him to make the trip to find Jesus. 

Jesus must have had a reputation, and desperation drove Him to Jesus.

His resources weren’t enough, and he’s reduced to begging. So he throws his pride to the side…finds Jesus—scripture says he implored Him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t on his knees begging, imploring, pleading…

“Come Jesus—please just come to my town. Please just come to my house. Please just go home with me so that you can see my son’s condition. We’re out of hope. He’s not going to live. Please Jesus, come home with me—and hurry. He doesn’t have long. Please come home with me. Please—just come. 

 Now Jesus responds—it almost seems like the scene where He responds to Mary during the “NO MORE WINE at the Wedding crisis.”

He responds: “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.  YOU People—plural.

It seems Jesus is addressing an immature faith that seemed to be typical of what was wrong with the Galileans as a whole. No trust without a sign. Pre-occupied with signs. It’s almost like Jesus said this for the benefit of the others standing there. 

Or perhaps Jesus was testing his faith? Jesus doesn’t want us base our faith on miracles. Signs and wonders may lead us toward a faith, but we know Satan can counterfeit signs and wonders. 

Signs from God are a good thing, but we don’t depend on them just to prove that God is God. 

David Guzik writes, “In themselves, signs and wonders cannot change the heart; Israel saw incredible signs at Mount Sinai and even heard the very voice of God, yet a short time later, the worshipped a gold calf!” 

I think Jesus was trying to raise this man’s faith to a higher level. 

The response of Jesus didn’t deter this desperate father. “Sir, come down before my child dies!”

This man didn’t really understand what Jesus could do. He didn’t understand that Jesus could just “speak the word” and his child would be healed. He believes the the Jesus had to be physically present. 

He had a faith in a limited Jesus. He believed Jesus would have to travel—and there may be a chance as long as the boy was still alive. 

Jesus then says, “Go. Your son will live.” 

Now—this is where I prefer the translation of the New King James and the New American Standard Version. 

The NASB translates it like, “Go. Your son is alive.” The NKJV says, “Go. Your son lives.” 

Alive—this means fully alive. This isn’t a “he’s getting better.” Alive—Lives—this is wholeness. This isn’t a progressive he’s getting better, and he’s going to pull out of it—he’s going to make it—barely. 

Go. Your son is alive! He’s living! He’s fully alive, He’s lively! 

So what did this dad do? 

Maybe it’s better to think about what this dad didn’t do.

He didn’t throw a fit. He didn’t say, great—I’m done with you, I’m going to go to some other god now.

Without a text message back home. Without a phone call or FaceTime verification—With absolutely NO proof that his son lives—“The man took Jesus at his word and departed.”

Wow… This meant he was going to leave behind that one chance that he thought he had at getting what he wanted—what he needed. He had to drop the idea of Jesus coming home with him.

This man had to turn around and face a 20-25 mile trip back over the mountains. This is his moment of surrender. He didn’t get what he wanted from Jesus..

But—He got a promise. Your son lives. Your son is alive. And he took Him at his word. He walked away with only a promise in hand.  

It’s not always sweet to trust in Jesus—at least, not initially. It’s hard. This guy headed home, clinging to a promise. They evidently had to stop somewhere for the night, but before he made it home, his servants met him with the good news.

Now—isn’t that kind of Jesus? He didn’t have to do that—he didn’t make him wait until he got all the way home. 

His servants shout… “Your boy is living?” Yeah! I KNEW it. This news confirmed the faith he already had. When did this happen? Turns out at the exact time Jesus said, “Your son lives,” his fever left him immediately. 

He and his whole household believed. Obviously for the man, it was a deepening faith. I love this—Jesus wants our whole families to believe. Whole families in heaven someday worshiping Him, living happily ever after. 

So- what can we take-away from a story like this? 

This desperate father is all of us—at some point in life. We’ve had or will have a crisis. We’ve failed, flunked, been fired, faced a health crisis ourselves or a beloved family member.

We will or we have faced crisis where we find ourselves pleading with Jesus. We have an outcome in mind. We have what we need all laid out for Jesus- if He would only do what we need. 

Here’s what I don’t want us to “take-away” from this story… If we believe hard enough- Jesus will always bring physical healing.

I know some folks in this room has prayed this very prayer—for their child to live.

Again, we have to realize that ALL physical healings that Jesus did during His ministry on earth was a “temporary situation.” Noone—even those he raised back to life, eventually died.

This child was healed—but was only given an extension on his life. 

Jesus didn’t always heal. Jesus didn’t always intervene—think about John the Baptist.

Story—family in chapel.

God doesn’t always heal today—story of family in chapel…

Maybe He spared this child from something…Maybe what He had planned on the other side was more than we could ever imagine—

Think about it—we beg God for physical life—an extension of life on earth—but would we really want anyone to come back after being the the presence of God? Back to earth where there is pain and suffering?

Again- physical healing on earth is temporary.

I don’t believe this story is about having more faith so that there is physical healing on earth. And besides…

What’s the bigger story here? That the boy got a few more years to live on earth, or that he and his whole entire family will live happily ever after in heaven.

Let that sink in.

Here’s what I believe the Lord wants me to share with you today—Sometimes God tells us to do things that are hard—like “Go home.”

Mercy—it must have been hard to turn and walk away. It must have been hard when he woke up in the middle of the night—but He kept believing the promise Jesus gave Him.

But here’s the thing…

**When we find ourselves obeying His instructions, and clinging to whatever promise He has given, the outcome will be life-giving. 

As I thought about that- I remember some hard things that He tells us to do:

Growth can be hard. Transformation can be hard. Becoming can be hard. Maturing can be hard. Starting over can be hard. Letting go can be hard. Doing things differently, surrendering, self denial, stepping into the unknown… So many things can be hard.

When we take Jesus at His word, something life-giving always happens — but it may be internal before it is external, and eternal even when circumstances remain hard.

The father had to leave without proof. He trusted without visible change. He walked a long road with just a word—holding onto a promise. He took Jesus at His word, and there was a “life-giving result…and an eternal result.”

God gives us so many commands…

God commands us to forgive. He gives us a promise that we will be forgiven. The life-giving result is freedom from bitterness, healing of the heart. 

God commands us to surrender—to release control. The promise—He promises peace. Life-giving result, is the peace of Christ in unresolved circumstances, even in the midst of suffering. 

Sometimes He commands us to “Go” without knowing what’s going on. We lean into the promise that He said He will always be with us. The life-giving result is spiritual growth and maturity. 

When we obey, take Him at His word and walk with it—the outcome will be life-giving—maybe physical, but internal, or eternal. 

Sometimes we may have to forgive when were still hurting, love when we’re still wounded, and trust when we don’t see a resolution. 

To close this morning, I’d like to give you some space—space to reflect or respond. 

Some of you are on that long road home right now. You’ve prayed… and you’re still waiting.

You’ve trusted… and you’re still hurting. You’ve obeyed… and you still don’t see how the story ends. You’re somewhere between the prayer — and the answer. Between the promise — and the proof. Between the “Amen” — and the “It is.”

You’re walking with just a word.

And here’s what this story reminds us:

The life of Christ does not begin when everything changes around us. The life of Christ begins the moment we turn toward home — and walk, holding tightly to His word.

That father walked away with nothing visible in his hands…no medicine… no proof… no guarantee anyone else could see. Just a promise. “Go. Your son lives.”

And maybe today, Jesus is giving some of you a word too.

Maybe His word to you is: Forgive… even though it still hurts. Release… even though you’re afraid. Trust… even though you don’t understand. Keep walking… even though the road feels long.

Maybe the word is…I am coming back to make all things new.

Maybe the word is… hope in the final resurrection.

And here’s the good news:

When we take Jesus at His word — something life-giving is already happening. Maybe not outwardly yet. Maybe not physically. But deeply… internally… eternally… His life is already at work within us.

So today, the invitation is simple. Not to manufacture a miracle. Not to pretend everything is okay. But to take one step of trust — holding onto whatever word Jesus has spoken to your heart.

Closing Prayer—

God I thank you for this story today. I’m reminded of your goodness. Your goodness is at work in our lives. We are always going to have trouble in this world, but you have overcome it. God, increase our faith today. Increase our faith and remind us of your faithfulness. 

Closing song: “Goodness of God”