While they were still mulling over the Samaria detour, Jesus and His disciples entered Cana of Galilee where the people welcomed Him, (John 4:45) Or did they?  John notes that Jesus pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country (4:44). He also notes that this is the place where Jesus did His first miracle (4:46), possibly inferring that the word of this miracle had spread, and tells us that the people had seen all He [Jesus] had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast (4:42). This does make us wonder, did this has anything to do with Jesus’ welcome?

A royal officer who lived in the neighboring town of Capernaum had a son who was ill and near death. (4:46) He heard about Jesus’ presence in Cana and made the day’s journey to find Him. He came to Jesus and begged Him to come down and heal his son (4:47). Jesus’ response takes us back; unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders you will never believe (4:48). Does His intriguing reply reveal that the people in Cana hadn’t really welcomed Him; rather they welcomed the miracle worker? They welcomed the one who could turn water into wine, the best wine! They gathered around to welcome Jesus so He could perform for them.

The man wouldn’t be put off crying out, Sir, come down before my son dies! (4:49) He did not know about signs and wonders. He knew his son was going to die and Jesus was the only one who could do anything about it. He wasn’t looking for Jesus to prove Himself. He wasn’t concerned about Jesus doing a divine song-and-dance to wow the people into belief. He wasn’t looking for something to convince him to believe. He was there believing. The contrast between the officer and the crowd is blinding. They wanted Jesus to perform. The officer wanted his son to live.

Jesus responded with seven simple words; you may go. Your son will live. (4:50) And the man turned to make the day long walk back to Capernaum with nothing more that Jesus’ word. In eloquent powerful simplicity John records: the man took Jesus at His word and departed (4:50). We can only imagine this man repeating in his mind Jesus’ words with each step: your son will live. Your son will live. Your son will live… While still a distance from home the man’s servants ran to meet him with the word, yesterday the fever left him at the seventh hour, (4:52) the very hour Jesus told him, your son will live!

In the light of this man’s faith we are exposed. Do we welcome Jesus or do we want the miracle worker? Do we demand Jesus to perform in order to believe or do we take Him at His word? In our worship; in our daily routine; in the crisis moments do we take Jesus at His word?

Beloved, let’s make taking Jesus at His word as natural as breathing. Each step we take needs to shout, “I’m taking Jesus at His Word!” Jesus and His Word cannot be separated. To take Jesus at His Word is to believe in Him and believing in Him is to take Him at His Word and live!

Keep Close to Jesus
Pastor Gerry