1.2 The Second Sign in Galilee
Faith Strengthened by Miracles
Read John 4:46–54. Why does the evangelist draw a connection to the miracle at the wedding?
In John 4:46–54, the evangelist recounts Jesus’ second sign in Galilee, where He heals the son of a royal official. John intentionally refers back to Jesus’ first miracle at Cana to establish a connection between the signs. This demonstrates that these miracles are not merely astonishing events but serve a deeper purpose: to help people recognize who Jesus truly is—the Savior sent by God.
The healing of the son shows that faith in Jesus should not rely solely on visible miracles but on trust in His word. The royal official approached Jesus with a desperate heart, ready to place his trust in Him if his son were healed. However, Jesus challenges him to go beyond his immediate request and believe even before seeing the result. Jesus’ response, “Go; your son lives,” is not just a promise but an invitation to trust in His power through faith.
The miracle itself—the healing from a distance, solely by Jesus’ word—demonstrates that faith does not need to depend on external signs. The official believed without seeing the miracle with his own eyes and found at home that his son was healed at the exact moment Jesus spoke. This further strengthened his faith and led his entire household to believe in Jesus.
John uses this miracle to show that Jesus is more than a miracle worker. He is the one who gives life—both physically and spiritually. It is not the miracle itself that leads to faith but the realization of who Jesus is and the power He possesses. Just as with the wedding at Cana, this is about more than the healing of an individual; it is about the revelation of Jesus as the one who renews life and strengthens faith.
This sign reminds us that faith does not need to be based on visible evidence but on trust in Jesus’ promises. His word alone is sufficient to give life and bring healing—in both our daily lives and our spiritual journey.
Even if we witness a miracle, what other criteria must we consider before automatically assuming it is from God?
Even if we witness a miracle, we should exercise caution and consider certain criteria before automatically assuming it is from God. The Bible warns that not all miracles originate from God, as Satan can also perform supernatural signs to deceive people. Here are some important criteria to help properly discern a miracle:
-
Consistency with the Bible: A genuine miracle from God will always align with what is revealed in Scripture. If the miracle or its associated message contradicts biblical teachings, it should be questioned (Isaiah 8:20).
-
Fruit of the Event: Jesus said that false prophets can be recognized “by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15–20). The long-term effects of a miracle—whether it brings people closer to God, positively changes lives, and promotes love, peace, and justice—are key indicators of its divine origin.
-
Does It Glorify Jesus Christ? A true miracle from God will center on glorifying Jesus Christ as the Redeemer and Lord (John 16:14). If a miracle shifts focus to the miracle worker or other elements instead of Jesus, it is questionable.
-
Motives of the Miracle Worker: The intentions and life of the one performing the miracle are significant. A true servant of God will be humble and will not use the miracle to exalt themselves or gain power over others (2 Corinthians 11:13–15).
-
Does the Miracle Lead to God or Away from Him? A miracle from God will always strengthen faith in Him and lead to the worship of the true God. If the miracle supports idolatry or false teachings, it is a warning sign (Deuteronomy 13:1–4).
-
Discernment Through Prayer and Community: It is important to evaluate a miracle through prayer and in the fellowship of other believers to determine if it truly comes from God. The Holy Spirit grants us the gift of discernment to distinguish between God’s work and deception (1 Corinthians 12:10).
In summary, when evaluating miracles, we should not only look at the visible event but also consider the spiritual and moral outcomes. A genuine miracle from God will always align with His Word, character, and plan.
The story of Jesus’ second sign in John 4:46–54 provides a profound connection between faith and daily life that remains relevant today. Here are some key connections:
Connection to Our Daily Life and Faith:
-
Faith Through Trust, Not Through the Visible: Jesus challenges the royal official to believe before seeing a visible sign. In everyday life, we are often tempted to base our faith on concrete results or visible signs. However, this story reminds us that true faith means trusting in God’s word and promises, even when we do not immediately see the outcomes. We are called to trust in God’s guidance in our daily lives, even when we do not always have immediate proof.
-
The Power of God’s Word: The miracle in John 4 shows that Jesus’ mere word is enough to bring about change. Today, we can rely on God’s Word as well. His promises in the Bible carry the same power to transform our lives and guide us, even in difficult times. The official returned home without immediate evidence of the healing but with deep trust in what Jesus had said.
-
Miracles as an Invitation to Faith: The miracle itself was not just a healing but a revelation of Jesus’ power and authority. In our daily lives, we can experience God’s work, but it is not just about the miracle itself. It challenges us to believe more deeply and recognize Jesus as the one who renews life and meets our spiritual needs. This encourages us not only to seek visible miracles but to recognize how God works in every situation of our lives.
-
Impact of Faith on Others: The faith of the royal official led his entire household to believe in Jesus. Our faith, especially in difficult times, can also influence others. When we trust in God’s Word in our daily lives, our testimony becomes visible and can help strengthen the faith of others.
Conclusion:
The story of Jesus’ second sign in Galilee reminds us that our faith does not need to rely solely on visible miracles but on trust in God’s Word. In our daily lives, it is about trusting God’s promises, even when we do not immediately see the results. This story teaches us that true faith does not depend on evidence but on trusting in the faithful and reliable nature of God.
Trusting in God’s Word gives us strength, even when we have not yet seen the results.
(Visited 3 times, 3 visits today)