Our focus for the past few days and the next couple of weeks is on the supernatural acts of Jesus, including healings, miracles, and signs and wonders. Today, we will examine how Jesus healed someone from a distance:
And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. 47When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death. 48“Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.” 49The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50“Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed. 51While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.” 53Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed (John 4:46-53).
The Capernaum royal official believed that Jesus could heal his son because he had heard all the stories of the miraculous signs Christ performed in Jerusalem. The Greek word translated as "royal official" is basilikos, meaning "king's man.” This individual held a high rank as one of Herod's trusted officials. Yet, his rank meant little now—he was a man desperate for his son’s healing. As he witnessed the boy’s health decline, feelings of desperation, hope, and faith in God surged within him upon hearing of the miracles and healings attributed to Christ.
The Royal Official Experienced Four Growth Spurts in His Faith
1) He believed enough to walk 19 miles uphill to see Jesus at Cana. The Scripture states he lived with his son in Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee. He took quite a gamble because he could have spent his time visiting the doctor. Instead, he placed his faith in Christ and decided that if he went himself, he would plead with Jesus to travel the nineteen miles to Capernaum to lay His hands on his son. The five-hour walk to Cana, I’m sure, was a time of brokenness and heartache at the thought of losing his son. Had he made the right decision? What if Jesus was too busy? Can He do the things they say He can do? Do I have enough time to go this far and for Jesus to return in time? One wonders if the boy was already in a coma when the father left. The royal official was sure his boy was dying (v. 47).
2) He pleaded with Jesus for His help. The phrase "begged him to come" in verse 47 is in the imperfect tense, indicating that he kept imploring Him repeatedly. This man was relentless; he placed all his hope in Jesus, pleading out of urgency and desperation. The mere thought of losing his son was unbearable. This royal official deeply cared and would do anything to improve his son's condition. Wouldn't you? This desperate man, clad in his official garments, attracted a crowd eager to see what was unfolding.
3) He believed in Jesus' word that his son would live. The Lord said to the man, “You may go; your son will live” (verse 53). If it were me, I would have said, “What, no sign? No prayer? What is this? That’s not how it’s supposed to happen! How can I know that what you say is true? Are you saying I’m just supposed to believe the healing is done without you coming and laying hands on him?"
When he got home the following day, he discovered that the miracle had occurred at the seventh hour of the previous day (v. 52), exactly when Jesus had said, “Your son will live” (v. 53)
4) He and his entire household believed. Can you imagine the joy that filled his heart when he got home and saw his family? It's no wonder his whole household believed when they realized that the very moment Jesus told him to go home was the exact time his son was healed. Isn't the Lord amazing? Keith Thomas
Taken from the Gospel of John found in the All Studies box on the Home Page. Click on Study 9. Jesus Heals the Royal Official’s Son (John 4:46-54).
YouTube video teachings at: https://www.youtube.com/@keiththomas7/videos
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