Monday: The Second Sign in Galilee
Daily Lesson for Monday 30th of September 2024
All through His earthly ministry, Jesus performed miracles that helped people believe in Him. John recorded these miracles so that others would believe in Jesus, as well.
Read John 4:46-54. Why does the evangelist make a connection back to the miracle at the wedding feast?
In giving an account of the second sign that Jesus did in Galilee, John points back to the first sign at the wedding in Cana. John seems to be saying, The signs that Jesus did will help you see who Jesus is. Then, John adds, “This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee” (John 4:54, NKJV).
Image © Providence Collection at Goodsalt.com
At first, Jesus’ response to the nobleman’s plea may seem harsh. Yet, this official had made the healing of his son the criterion for believing in Jesus. Jesus read his heart and pinpointed the spiritual sickness that was more profound than his son’s life-threatening illness. Like a lightning bolt from a blue sky, the man suddenly recognized that his spiritual poverty could cost the life of his son.
It is important to recognize that miracles, in and of themselves, did not prove that Jesus was the Messiah. Others have performed miracles. Some were true prophets, others false. Miracles reveal only the existence of the supernatural; they don’t, by themselves, mean that God must be the One doing them. (Satan can perform “miracles,” if by the word “miracles” we mean supernatural acts.)
The nobleman in anguish cast himself on Jesus’ mercy, pleading with Him to heal his son. Jesus’ response was reassuring. He said, “ ‘Go; your son will live’ ” (John 4:50, ESV). The verb “will live” in Greek is actually in the present tense. This usage is called a “futuristic present,” where a future event is spoken of with such certainty as if it were already happening. The man did not rush home but, believing Jesus, got home the next day—finding that, exactly when Jesus had said those words, the fever left his son.
What a powerful reason to believe in Jesus!
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Even if we were to see a miracle, what other criteria must we look at before automatically assuming it is from God? |
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There are a couple of things about miracles (and supernatural event) that we need to understand.
The miracle we need to pray for daily is, "Not I but Christ!"
Reminder to self: I must reread C S Lewis's book, "Miracles" when I get back home.
On point
It's a really good and important question, I think. Yes, if miracles originate from either God or from demons, how are we to discern the difference?
When Moses was showing Pharaoh signs of God's sovereignty, the Egyptian magicians were able to replicate the first three signs: rod turned into serpent (Ex. 7:11 - though interestingly, Aaron's rod-turned-serpent did eat up the other transformed rods (Ex. 7:12); river turned to blood (Ex. 7:22); frogs (Ex. 8:7). But then, the ability of the Egyptians (or the demons working through the magicians) to replicate these signs stopped: they could not produce gnats (Ex. 8:18) or boils (Ex. 9:11). So why did God allow magicians working with demons to mimic His own miracles for a time, and then He stopped the deception? And why even today are people deceived by supposed dead relatives delivering messages through a medium, or apparitions of Jesus' mother Mary appearing or statues of her crying, etc.?
Well, we know God allows those who are not grounded in His Word to be deceived (2 Cor. 11:14). This is why we are to seek truth in God's Word above seeking signs and miracles (Matt. 12:39). Jesus told us that especially as Earth's history winds down, more and more false teachers and dramatic signs will circulate (Matt. 24:24; 2 Thess. 2:9). We are supposed to test these signs and spirits (1 John 4:1). How do we test? How could the people in Jesus' day be sure that His signs and miracles were from God?
Do the signs match what Scripture says? Everything about Jesus matched prophecies about Him. That's why when John the Baptist was having some doubts in prison and John's disciples came to Jesus for assurance for John that Jesus was indeed the correct Messiah, Jesus linked His answer of the signs and miracles He was performing to prophecy (Luke 7:22; Is. 35:5-6). Satan, on the other hand, lies by speaking out of his own character, rather than in harmony and submission to God's Word (John 8:44). Accordingly, if a miracle worker is teaching something contrary to God’s Word, then his or her miracles, no matter how convincing they seem, are a demonic delusion. So for example, if someone was wondering about the alleged weeping statues of Mary, we know in 1 Tim. 2:5 that Jesus is the only mediator in heaven interceding for us, so this miracle which elevates Mary as our intercessor is not from God.
The rest of 1 John 4 is also very helpful for discernment...
Also, a worker of miracles that is from God will display Christ's spirit in his or her life (Matt. 7:16,20; 1 Tim. 3:1-13). The miracles are backed up by the messenger's Jesus-glorifying life and Jesus-glorifying message.
So here's another question, do we have to first walk the truth completely for God to be able to work miracles through us?
Esther, thank you for sharing your Bible study concerning "signs". It certainly added a lot to today's lesson. May God continue to bless!
Also, Wayne: Jesus could read the hearts of the ones who came to Him wanting a miracle performed.
If they do not speak according to the word, there is no light in them.
I actually don't think God prevented the Egyptian magicians from producing gnats etc. I think their first "miracles" were likely tricks or illusions and might have been relatively convincing but eventually they met their match.
I don't believe Satan has power to create as such - only God can create true living beings. His creation has some power to create, but it's different. Satan can do very powerful illusions, but I believe that's all they are.
Don't you think that if we give God the glory for our healing, protection, the good things that come our way..., the Miracle is from God? Yes, I do. It goes along with your text in 1 John 4:1-6.
"So here's another question, do we have to first walk the truth completely for God to be able to work Miracles through us?" No, but don't forget that we have to use the 1st 1/2 of believe before we can receive the Miracles. What do I mean by that? Simply a believer it is just that, it is a noun. But when you put believe with that believer it is a action word. You can be a believer, but not believe. Believe is faith, that may be the only action.
Let's say a couple came to my door and said, "I represent Jesus Christ. Now see this bag, put all you cash in this bag or else... I am going to rob a bank, come and help me." A believer in Jesus Christ, absolutly not.
Now after saying that. Does it take belief always to be a part of a Miracle. No, but it helps. There were many times that Jesus preformed a Miracle to glorify God the Father. Feeding the 5 thousand is one. The water to grape juice is another. Yes there may have been at least one that believed. Mary the Mother of Jesus and you could say if the 5 thousand came to hear Him, they were assumed to believe in Him.
That brings us to the question of whether we believe we will be healed when we are anointed, but when we are, we are not healed. I believe if I am not healed I will be healed as Christ calls me from the air, staying in the air as I am caught up with Him into the air and swept with Him to His heavenly home beyond the closest stars. I am at that time completely healed permanently and perfectly. Though, when I ask Him to heal me from sin now, even on a daily basis. The answer is always yes.
Praise, blessings, and honor to our Lord from whom all blessings flow.
The way I have discerned the difference is who gets the credit for what was done and what was the purpose. My husband and I, several years ago, were involved with a Sabbath School class that was introduced to the idea of being able to perform “miracles”. Those bringing this to our class had become disillusioned by our church. To them, the Holy Spirit was lacking. Proof of this was the lack of healings, speaking in tongues etc. It got to the place where they felt no need for scripture because they “had the Holy Spirit”. I was grateful for this experience because it drove my husband and I to scripture to understand what the role of the Holy Spirit is in our lives and what the occurrence of miracles is for.
Does it really matter who the miracle comes from? Once we know it's a good we give Glory to the one through whom all good blessings flow. So in the end we still give glory to God and not to the person who did the miracle.
Yes it does matter but it is complicated. If the evil one performs a miracle (or what is percieved as a miracle) it is done with the intent to deceive. Often, I have seen folk claiming the intervention of providence as a sign that they are right and that God has saved them for the purpose of putting things right in the church (or nation). Such claims often have an egocentric agenda foreign to the love of Jesus.
In John 4:46-54, the evangelist draws a connection back to the miracle at the wedding feast at Cana for several reasons:
Reinforcing Jesus' Power and Authority: By connecting the two miracles, John emphasizes Jesus' divine power over natural elements (water to wine) and human conditions (healing the official’s son). Both miracles demonstrate Jesus’ authority over creation, showing that He is not limited by time, space, or physical constraints
Developing a Theme of Belief: The miracle at Cana was the first sign that led the disciples to believe in Jesus (John 2:11). Similarly, the healing of the official’s son led the official and his entire household to believe (John 4:53). By referencing the first miracle, John reinforces the theme of belief that runs through his Gospel, showing how Jesus’ miracles invite people to trust in Him.
Creating Continuity: The mention of Cana creates a sense of continuity in the narrative. It shows that Jesus is consistently revealing His identity and mission through “signs,” which serve as evidence for His role as the Messiah. This connection helps us see a progression in the way people respond to Jesus—moving from curiosity to a deeper faith.
Highlighting Jesus’ Identity: Both miracles happened in Cana, reinforcing that these were not random events but part of a greater purpose: revealing who Jesus is. In the first miracle, His glory was revealed subtly; in the second, His healing power at a distance was another layer of that revelation, indicating that He is more than a prophet—He is the Son of God.
By linking the two miracles, John not only underlines Jesus' miraculous abilities but also invites us to see a broader picture of Jesus' mission: He came not just to perform miracles but to lead people to faith and new life in Him.
David – Yes, “John not only underlines Jesus’ miraculous abilities but also invites us to see a broader picture of Jesus’ mission: He came not just to perform miracles but to lead people to faith and new life in Him.”
May I suggest to consider the ‘leading people to faith and new life in Him through signs and wonders', is not equal to accepting Him by faith. His 'Signs and wonders' are not evidence of the authenticity of Him to be the Son of God - 2 Thess.2:9.
The conviction leading to change ones entire life - accepting that man has a Creator Father Who holds ultimate authority - only comes by the Holy Spirit's revelation into the heart and mind. Only He can lead man to accept God's Truth about Himself and man, and reveal all Truth to bring about Salvation.
Yes, a person being confronted by signs and wonders may be more open to accepting Jesus’ message, but actually desiring to live one’s life by the Word of God is the sign of pure faith generated by the Holy Spirit - when lived, it then reveals the ‘rest of the story’.
It is interesting that in the first two miracles that Jesus did in Galilee His first response to their request seems a bit terse.
Are there any lessons we can pull from this?
That is interesting, Wayne. One similarity I notice is that in both instances, the people seeking help from Jesus were at the end of their own resources. Desperate. Jesus' mother plead with Jesus to rescue a wedding feast about to flop because the wine had completely run out (John 2:3). And a father begged Jesus for help when his son was close to death (John 4:47). How true this is for many of us? It is my own testimony. All the resources I had depended upon through my 20s and 30s and early 40s were dried up...the Holy Spirit led me to accept Jesus as Savior when it was very clear that I am not my own Savior, and no other person could be either.
Also I love what it says in John 4:50. After Jesus gently chastised the man and all of us who fall at His feet only when we are desperately in need for a miracle to fix our missteps and override our errors, and the man concedes and cries again, "Please Jesus, please"....Jesus offers the healing word and.....here is the so-important part to me...."the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken to him". In both this miracle and the wedding at Cana, the transformational moment happened when those asking for help believed and acted on that belief. They believed before they saw the miracle or understood. When the servants filled the waterpots with water and started pouring it out - in faith - as wine...not testing it first but directly to the master of the banquet! (John 2:8-9), the water was turned to wine. When the man believed...and departed for his home, showing that he believed...no more begging Jesus or asking for signs that the act was done...at that very moment his son was delivered.
One last thing that is a meaningful new revelation to me as of last night as I was reading John 8:44....Satan, the Father of Lies, speaks and acts "from his own resources" says the NKJV. The KJV says Satan "speaks of his own", some translations say he "speaks on his own", the ESV says Satan speaks "out of his own character". This is the definition of evil and sin, then. To act and move apart from the word of God. To live out of my own resources, which I've divorced from Jesus. And holiness and righteousness is the opposite, to believe the Word of God and to think, speak, and act ONLY as a result of receiving the Word of God in faith. The gospel of John repeatedly records Jesus saying that He would never act on His own authority, but only on what He had received from His Father in heaven (John 5:19; 5:30). Those in these stories received miracles when they moved in harmony with God's Word, not their own.
Shalom my friends,
There is a lot going on here in these few verses, The battle between Christ and Satan is being played out. The Nobleman, with definitive article, certain nobleman, was a very influential man in Capernaum. Satan desired to sift this man (Luke 22:31,32), if possible to reduce his influence in the region, God allowed this trial to strengthen the rulers faith. To destroy the father Satan chose to attack the son.
The Holy Spirit had made Jesus fully aware of what was happening and that this was for His Father's Glory. The nobleman was being drawn to Jesus as his only hope to save his son, but it was God's desire to share with all of creation the power of belief. The nobleman believed that the authority of Jesus was manifest in his presence and he begged for Jesus to come down. It was the purpose of God to increase this mans faith and the faith of all who would share in this story.
Jesus pointed out his lack of faith, his need to believe without seeing, to walk by faith and not by sight. Now here's the really cool part, yesterday we saw how the Creator exercised the authority of the creator to recreate, today in this passage of John's Gospel John celebrates Jesus as the Author of Life exercising the authority of the life giver to restore the life of one who was considered as being already dead by his own father, and He does it with just a word. The same word that spoke all life into existence, death has no authority over. As Satan struck out in the wilderness, he loses in this controversy as well.
As we walk by faith in the Author of Life trials will come and what the adversary desires to be our ruin, will ultimately be his own undoing. Father allows these trials in our lives to draw us into a more intimate relationship with Himself (Job 42:5). When we are allowed to see behind the veil we will praise him in triumph and trial, knowing that all is done to the Glory of God.
Shalom
Joshua - Thank you for sharing the Holy Spirit's inspiration; it deepens my love, joy, and gratitude for our Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Not all miracles are from God, especially in these last days. 2 Thes. 2:9-10 makes it clear that Satan works with lying signs and wonders. If the miracle doesn't lead to repentance or isn't in harmony with the Word of God then you can be certain it wasn't of God.
All believers in Christ will eventually receive their miracles, some in this life, others in the next life when Jesus returns.
When Jesus is all you have, He is all you need.
This song has ministered healing to my soul in my times of despair.
He is ALL You Need, Steve Camp
When you're alone, your heart is torn, He is all you need.
When you're confused, your soul is bruised, He is all you need.
He's the rock of your soul, He's the anchor that holds
Through your desperate time.
When your way is unsure His love will endure, a peace you will find
Through all your years, the joy, the tears, He is all you need
When you give in to that familiar sin, He is all you need
Guilt as you're paralyzed, it slowly it eats you alive, He is all you need
He'll be faithful to you though your heart is untrue
And your love's grown cold
His forgiveness is real, it'll comfort and heal your sin-weary soul
Well, God loves you so, He'll never let you go
He is all you need.
He'll be faithful to you though your heart is untrue
And your love's grown cold
His forgiveness is real, to comfort and heal your sin-weary soul
Through all your years, the joy, the tears, He is all you need.
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Rob Frazier / Steve Camp
He's All You Need lyrics © Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publ., Birdwing Music, Bud John Music
Jesus' statement recorded by John 4:48 brings to mind a question: what does He mean when saying: ”Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” Does this statement refer to His Jewish brethren only, or does it have a general application?
I do not think that this statement would apply to the gentiles who had no personal relationship with the God of the Israelites at that time, but consider it to address the persistend unbelief of those who have been taught the Truth about their God for millennia - the children of Israel -, but still wanted to see signs and wonders before they would be willing to believe.
What is that which the Jewish nobleman and those in our time - after the Gospel went out to all the world - have in common before they are willing to accept Jesus? Considering the nobleman only willing to believe after he found his son healed, would be like those in our time who heard the Truth but still wait to be convinced - both rely on their own, physical eyes. They want to believe only when receiving 'prove' through their own eyes and mind - John 4:52-53.
But Jesus came to open our spiritual eyes so we can see without the body's eyes and mind. Only then can we see the mighty hand of God working His Grace and Mercy in our and our fellow's life.
I believe that Jesus taught His disciples and followers to accept Him and their God by pure faith - accepting Them purely through the revelation prompted by the Holy Spirit to their heart and mind. Only this, by the Holy Spirit induced believe/faith, will stand the test of time!
Matthew 7:15-20 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them."
The fourth paragraph of Monday's lesson begins, "It is important to recognize that miracles, in and of themselves, did not prove that Jesus was the Messiah." So if miracles are not the basis of faith, why did Jesus perform so many?
A very good question Sue. I think Jesus performed these miracles of healing to show the defining characteristic of God; compassion. None of his miracles were to show how powerul he was; they were all for the benefit of others.
Another thought to go with today's discussion. I walk into the hospital to see a believer. Before I walk in, I send up a prayer for the Lord's healing. "Thy will be done." I tell the believer I prayed for you. After a few days on my return vist he says, "my doctor says I am ready to go home." The believer walks out of the hospital in good spirits, "I am over my illness." Did God answer my prayer? Absolutly!
Good morning everyone, regarding detecting the source of a miracle, the bible says every tree is known by its fruit, which means there life and actions will show. However sometimes it's not always easy to tell by just looking at their "fruit", because just like some fruits in the physical sense,some are easy detectable as not "good" by their appearance but some may look good but have worms on the inside, but not until you bite or cut into it before you realize. Which means there will be times when prayerful investigation is needed.
Regarding Miracles, I noticed from the Bible that Jesus blessed the 12 disciples with the ability to cast out demons and heal the sick. This includes Judas, also Peter that was not converted until after his horrifying experience of denying Jesus. My point is that there will be times when erring servant with faults will have the ability to perform miracles, but I may disqualify the miracles because of their faults.