Bible Study - Signs (2) - The Sign of HIS Grace - John 4:46-54 - March 9, 2025

 

Bible Study – Signs (2) – The Sign of HIS Grace – John 4:46-54 – March 9, 2025

JESUS works on behalf of all who come to HIM.

Our scripture is John 4:46-54.

Last week, we studied JESUS’ first sign which was turning water into wine at a wedding. It was not just any wine but the best wine.

This was a miracle then and a miracle today. It was a foreshadow of the purpose of JESUS. JESUS came to fulfill the Law and to establish Grace for all who place their faith in JESUS. This was represented by the new wine coming from jars or containers containing ceremonial water repurposed by JESUS from being used for ceremonial cleansing to eternal cleansing through faith in JESUS and HIS Passion.

JESUS was attending this wedding along with the disciples HE had chosen up to that time and HIS mother.

They had been invited to attend this wedding which would last a week or up to thirty days.

Mary was told that the wine had run out. Running out of wine would have been a social embarrassment to the bride, groom, and their families.

The word of this need was communicated to Mary.

Once Mary was told, she, based upon scripture, told JESUS about this problem. Mary told JESUS the wine ran out.

Mary asked JESUS to intervene to meet the need of this family. Why?

Running out of wine would have been an embarrassment to the Families of the bride and groom, as well as the bride and groom.

Mary turned to JESUS and told HIM of the need, and she told the servants to do whatever HE said. She knew, HE knew what to do and HE did.

Who benefited most by JESUS turning water into the best wine? The servants who filled the jars which were designated for ceremonial use with clean water. The servants were the first to know that JESUS had turned ordinary water into the best wine when the head of the banquet, who knew wine, gave his approval.

Those who study GOD’S Word and put into action what is revealed to them, benefit because of their obedience.

What was the role of the servants? They were to be obedient and do what JESUS asked them to do. That is our role as well, when we obediently serve JESUS.

How does HE communicate with HIS servants today? Through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Salvation through faith in JESUS places a person on a path of Spiritual discovery. It is an awesome journey. My prayer is that all will place their faith in JESUS and discover the many precious gems, gold, and silver rewards they can earn along their faith walk with JESUS. Let’s explore!!!

The Second Sign: Healing an Official’s Son.

Let’s read John 4:46-47:

⁴⁶ He went again to Cana of Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. There was a certain royal official whose son was ill at Capernaum. ⁴⁷ When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea into Galilee, he went to him and pleaded with him to come down and heal his son, since he was about to die.

JESUS returned to Cana of Galilee where JESUS turned water into wine. Why did JESUS return to Cana of Galilee? GOD led HIM there because GOD knows the hearts of those in need of ministry. When we are prompted to speak to someone or to meet a need, as Christians, GOD has a reason. GOD knows all who are in need and especially in need of salvation.

It is likely that word had spread about JESUS, WHO had turned ordinary water into the best wine.

A man, who was a royal official heard that JESUS was back in Galilee. This Royal Official had a son who was sick and about to die. This official had likely heard about JESUS turning ordinary water into wine, a miracle. It is possible that this Royal official had attended the wedding. Could JESUS do more than turn water into exceptional wine? Like, heal this royal official’s son without touching him.

As parents, we all know we will do whatever it takes to minister to or get help for our child or children.

Our scripture captures the intensity of the moment in verse 47. “The father pleaded with JESUS.”

Why do you think the father of the boy “pleaded” with JESUS? It reveals the faith and trust that the father of the boy had in the ability of JESUS to heal his son. It was a step of faith by the father of the boy for him to approach JESUS with such confidence. Doing so reflects this official’s heart.

This is a message to all who seek JESUS. A step of faith is the most vital step a person seeking eternal salvation can take. A step of faith is vital when a person desires the healing touch of JESUS whether physical, emotional, or Spiritual healing.

Let’s read John 4:48-50:

⁴⁸ Jesus told him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.”

Since the man was a royal official, was JESUS referring to those in authority? Likely!

⁴⁹ “Sir,” the official said to him, “come down before my boy dies.”

⁵⁰ “Go,” Jesus told him, “Your son will live.” The man believed what^[n] Jesus said to him and departed.

JESUS teaches all who seek HIM a valuable lesson. What does it take for a person to accept JESUS as his or her Savior? A step of faith toward JESUS. As a person moves toward JESUS, JESUS moves toward him/her.

This official was used to taking orders from trusted sources and his response reflected his recognition of JESUS’ authority.

It is easy for those who seek JESUS to get caught up in signs and wonders and overlook the power of GOD through JESUS.

It is like a story I heard. A man slipped and was falling off a cliff. He cried out LORD, “save me,” when all of a sudden, a large root that was sticking out of the cliff caught his clothing and stopped him. The man then said, “LORD that is ok, this root stopped me.”

The boy’s father expressed his faith in the word “Sir!” “I know and believe YOU can heal my son!” WOW!!!

Those words were and are expressions of faith.

How did JESUS reply?

The most beautiful words to a person’s or especially a parent’s ears are, “Go,” Jesus told him, “your son will live.” The man believed what^[n] Jesus said to him and departed.

Notice, it was not the title of the man that was important, but it was his faith. That is vital for all humans to keep in mind.

Walking with JESUS is a journey of faith and trust. Just be aware because we can find ourselves assessing our walk with JESUS by asking HIM to jump through our hoops and do things that confirm our lack of faith. A faith journey builds a person’s faith in JESUS.

The boy’s father believed JESUS and continued to walk with JESUS.

Let’s read John 4:51-54:

⁵¹ While he (the boy’s father) was still going down, his servants met him saying that his boy was alive. ⁵² He (the father of the boy) asked them at what time he got better. “Yesterday at one in the afternoon^[o] the fever left him,” they answered. ⁵³ The father realized this was the very hour at which Jesus had told him, “Your son will live.” So, he himself believed along with his whole household.

⁵⁴ Now this was also the second sign Jesus performed after he came from Judea to Galilee.

Miracles or signs of GOD, reach far beyond the immediate to many. Is GOD and JESUS still reaching out to the people of the world? YES!!! Even more so today because we are getting ever closer to the return of JESUS. This is not a time for those who have been Spirit-born to slack off but as never before to work as led by the Holy Spirit.

This study is a lesson for us to know that JESUS can heal at a distance, but it takes faith in JESUS! This is why we pray in faith and in the name of JESUS for ourselves and others.

As a Spirit-born person, if you are prompted to pray for something or someone, do so because there is a need, and GOD has called you to respond.

Do you know JESUS as your Savior? If not, now is your opportunity.

Ask JESUS to forgive you for all your sins and for JESUS to come into your heart. Doing so, results in you being “Born-again” or “Spirit-born” into the eternal family of GOD. It is a miracle!

If you prayed to receive JESUS as your Savior, then welcome into the eternal family of GOD. Now, as a Spiritual newborn, you need Spiritual nourishment – talking to GOD/JESUS in prayer, reading and studying GOD’S Word, The Holy Bible and meeting with fellow Christians. Ask JESUS to lead you to a Bible believing and teaching church or fellowship.

Blessings!!!