John 4:43-54. Take Jesus At His Word

Imagine that someone you loved was critically ill. They had been sick for some time and were now at the point of death. Now imagine that there was a doctor who could heal them. You’d be desperate for that doctor’s help, right? You’d be willing to beg that doctor for help.

Now imagine that this doctor told you to go away and that your family member would be fine. How would you feel? You’ve seen your loved one experience intense pain. Now, this doctor tells you that everything is just going to be fine, simply because the doctor said so. Would you take him at his word?

This scenario is similar to the situation we encounter in John 4:43-54 (though Jesus, of course, did not come as a doctor).

1. Surface-Level Faith Looks for Signs and Wonders

No honour in his own country (43-44). After spending two days with the Samaritans (4:43, cf. 4:40), Jesus continues on his journey north to Galilee. In verse 44, we’re told that “Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honour in his own country.” The word “country” here probably refers to the Jewish lands (both Galilee and Judea) in contrast to Samaria. Jesus had just come from Samaria, where he was widely accepted, and now returns to his own people, who show a more superficial, surface-level response.

The Galileans Welcomed Him (45). At first, it’s difficult to see how the Galilean response to Jesus is superficial or surface level. We’re told that they welcome Jesus. However, we’re given a clue that their faith might be surface-level. In the second half of verse 45, we’re told that they believe because they have seen what Jesus has done at the Passover Festival, probably referring back to the events of a few chapters ago. In John 2:23, we’re told that Jesus performed many signs and that some only believed in him because of these. Their faith was surface level.  

A Certain Royal Official (46–47). In verse 46, Jesus returns to Cana, where he turned water into wine. We discover that “there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum,” which is probably around 30km away, a decent walk by foot. As a royal official, he may have been a nobleman or officer in the service of Herod Antipas, who ruled Galilee as a tetrarch under Roman authority (Luke 3:1). We’re not sure whether or not this royal official was Jewish, but he was certainly a man of some social standing. It’s a big deal that he’s travelled all this way to see Jesus. It’s also a big deal that he is begging Jesus to heal his Son. He is desperate to see his beloved son healed from sickness. His son is close to dying. He humbles himself before Jesus and begs for his help.

Signs and Wonders (48). Jesus’ response in verse 48 is somewhat surprising. “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “You will never believe.” What’s the problem? Jesus knows that many people only believe in him because they see signs and wonders. They don’t genuinely trust him. They want to use him. They’re only interested in him because he can do something for them. Their faith is surface-level. They are like Thomas, later on in John’s Gospel, who refuses to believe that Jesus has risen from the dead until he sees Jesus face-to-face.  

2. Genuine Faith Takes Jesus at His Word

Taking Jesus at His Word (49–50). After asking Jesus to come down to his place before his son dies (verse 49), Jesus assures the man that his son will live (50). Then, “the man took Jesus at his word and departed.” He doesn’t ask Jesus for a sign. He doesn’t ask for verification. He doesn’t ask for a signature. He just takes Jesus at his word, and leaves.

Genuine Faith. This is genuine faith. It means taking Jesus at his word, even when we can’t see what Jesus is doing with our own eyes. Surface-level faith demands signs, wonders and sight. Genuine faith involves trusting even when you can’t see. It doesn’t mean being stupid. But it does involve trusting.

3. Jesus’ Word Can Be Trusted

The fever left him (51-53a). On his way back home, the royal official discovers that he was right to take Jesus at his word. Jesus’ word can be trusted. The official’s servant informs him that his son has recovered and did so at 1pm, the exact moment that Jesus had said that the boy would live. Jesus is “the Word” (John 1:1); he is full of “truth,” and consequently, Jesus can be taken at his Word. When the Word speaks a word, we can trust that word to do its thing and achieve its purpose.

Household belief (53b). And, so, the man and his entire household believe. They place their trust in Jesus. This is a theme that comes up a fair bit in the New Testament. The head of the house believes, and the rest of the household follows. We see this with the household of Cornelius (Acts 10:24, 44-48), Lydia’s household (Acts 16:13-15), the Philippian Jailer’s household (Acts 16:25-34), the household of Crispus (Acts 18:8), and the household of Stephanas (1 Corinthians 1:16, 16:15). In the New Testament, households often function like this, as a unit, where one person’s faith leads to the faith of the entire family, including children, servants, and sometimes extended family members. In many of these accounts the entire family was baptised following the head of the household’s conversion. This is seen as a model of the gospel extending to the entire family, with the head of the household playing a central role. This is one of many reasons why many Christians around the world accept the practice of infant baptism.

Sign (54). This was the second sign Jesus performed in John’s Gospel. For the other major signs in John’s Gospel, see John 2:1-11, 5:1-15, 6:5-14, 6:16-21, 9:1-12, and 11:1-44. And why does Jesus perform these signs? In John 20:30–31, we read:

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Since Jesus and his signs can be trusted, we should take him at his word and place our trust in him alone, so that, by believing, we may have life in his name.

Implications

So, joining the threads together, while surface-level faith looks for signs and wonders, genuine faith takes Jesus at his word. This is a reasonable thing to do because Jesus’ word can be trusted. Some people will never believe. They want the cool things that Jesus gives, like signs and miracles, but they don’t place their trust in Jesus himself.

This story neatly wraps up the first four chapters of John’s gospel. It makes us ask: will we take Jesus at his Word? We know that he is the Word. He’s the creator, the Son of God, the Messiah, the Rabbi, Israel’s King, and the one who gives Living Water. We’ve encountered Jesus turning water into wine and healing a terminally sick boy. In both cases, he pulled it off with his word. Because he is the Word. Will we take him at his word? Will we genuinely put our faith in this man? Or will we insist on more signs and wonders? That’s where this episode leaves us.

Discussion Questions

Pray and Get Going

1. Imagine that someone you love is sick. What would you be willing to do to help them get better?

Read John 4:43-54.

2. Where has Jesus been recently, and where is he now headed?

3. In verses 45-48, do you think the Galileans are welcoming Jesus? What could make someone say yes or no?

4. What does the royal official ask Jesus to do, and how does he respond to Jesus afterwards? What does this response teach us about genuine faith?

 5. What do verses 51-53 show us about Jesus’ trustworthiness?  

 6. John 1-4 is written so that we might believe and have life in Jesus’ name. Believing means trusting in Jesus alone to save us from sin. No amount of good stuff we do can save us. Do you believe in Jesus? Do you take Jesus at his word? Do you trust him alone to save you? 

7. If we’re to take Jesus at his word, is there space for asking questions?

Pray and Give Thanks