Belief

Introduction

Here are some actual product instruction labels:

1. On a Sears hairdryer: “Do not use while sleeping.”
2. On a bag of Fritos: “You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside.”
3. On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding: “Product will be hot after heating.”
4. On packaging for a Rowenta iron: “Do not iron clothes on body.”
5. On Nytol sleep aid: “Warning: may cause drowsiness.”
6. On a kitchen knife: “Warning: keep out of children.”
7. On a string of Christmas lights: “For indoor or outdoor use only.”
8. On an American Airlines packet of nuts: “Instructions: open packet, eat nuts.”
9. On a child’s Superman costume: “Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly.”

There are some thickheaded people in this world. The obvious is lost on them. Such seems to be the case in John’s gospel. Our text focuses on Jesus’ second “sign.” Like the first sign in John 2, this episode is intended to say something about Jesus and about faith. We will notice some similarities between the first and second sign and we will notice that John uses these similarities to make his point about Jesus. But this text also provides an opportunity for us to examine our own motives in following Jesus. As we examine the text today, let’s not be thickheaded people. Let’s not allow the obvious to be lost on us.

The Story

Jesus leaves the Samaritan region and travels into Galilee, eventually arriving at Cana. You will recall that it was at Cana that the first sign was performed in which Jesus turned water into wine. John makes the point in verse 44 that a prophet has no honor in his own country and then follows with verse 45 in which the people welcome Jesus. Did John contradict himself? Not at all. The latter part of verse 45 tells us why the people welcomed Jesus—they were enamored of him because of his ability to perform miracles. If you look back at 2:23-25, John has already told us that the miracles that Jesus did intrigued the people, but Jesus refused to entrust himself to them. Why? He knew their hearts. Their hearts were not set on him but on what he could do.

This is further verified when Jesus rebukes his audience in verse 48. They only believe because of the miracles. They do not believe in him. What brings about such a rebuke? An official, probably one who worked for King Herod in Galilee, comes to Jesus seeking healing for his son. His son is very sick—at the point of death. He wants Jesus to come to his house and heal the boy. Such a request seems to frustrate Jesus. Demanding of him but not truly believing in him. But the official is not put off by the rebuke. He pleads with Jesus to come. Such demonstrates that his faith was not superficial.

Jesus assures the man that his son will be healed and tells him to go back home. Wouldn’t you have liked to have seen the look on that man’s face? Do you see him open his mouth to protest but stopping of arguing the point? Do you see looking at Jesus with a mixture of disbelief and disappointment because Jesus will not come with him? Do you see his shoulders droop because his last hope seems to be dashed? The text tells us that the man took Jesus at his word and left. We aren’t told what he said or the expression on his face, but we are told he left believing that Jesus’ word was enough.

A servant meets him on the way home and tells him that his son’s fever broke at about 1 p.m. the day before and the official realizes that it was at about that same time that Jesus had spoken the words that his son would live. Such an event convinced the official and his entire household that Jesus was who he claimed to be.

Lessons

There are a couple of lessons for us from this text. The first lesson has to do with the way we think about Jesus. Most of us have been in this official’s position. A sense of desperation and hopelessness. We wonder if God will do something to change things. For most of us, this desperation comes when we feel like all control has been torn from us and we are left dangling with our thoughts, fears, and worries. Maybe it was when a loved one was dying, or a child was ill, or when the money wasn’t going nearly far enough, or when your marriage was more challenging than encouraging. We’ve been there. We know what it is to be desperate and hopeless and want God to make things better.

This is a difficult area to speak about. The last thing I want to do is make you feel bad about searching out for God and for his power. I do believe that God can “fix” things. I do believe that he wants what is best for us. I do not believe he grows weary of hearing our cries for help. But the point is this—what kind of relationship do you have with the creator of this world? Is our relationship based on what God can do for us or is it based on who he is no matter what he does or doesn’t do? Do you believe like Job and can say “though he slay me, yet I will still hope in him”? Or is your faith a Santa Claus faith? You know, make your list out and expect God to fulfill your every wish.

Jesus’ rebuke demonstrates that God does grow weary of being presumed upon. Jesus is looking for real faith. Faith that will remain committed even if the outcome isn’t what we want. Faith that isn’t based on what God can do, but sees God as being truly God.

The second lesson comes from the way John arranges the text. Go back to chapter 2:1. The first sign takes place at Cana with the turning of water into wine. This first sign has Jesus’ mother asking Jesus to make things right, Jesus rebuking her, and then doing that which only God can do. The second sign at the end of chapter 4 also takes place at Cana. There is a request to make things right, there is a rebuke, and then Jesus does what only God can do. We mustn’t miss the similarity. What is John doing?

In chapter 2 at the wedding feast, Jesus is the giver of joy. Jesus clears the temple and proclaims himself to be the new temple. Jesus offers Nicodemus life from above. Jesus offers the woman at the well living water. Jesus gives life to the official’s son. In fact, three times in this story we are told that the son will live. As John wrote in 1:4, Jesus is the giver of life.

Don’t miss the obvious. John continues to present more and more evidence. Life is found in Jesus.

Follow Jesus

If you’d like to respond to this message or learn more about following Jesus, please reach out.