NOTES for Joh 4:43-54
Today's reading allows us to see a very important feature of the coming Kingdom: its outward inconspicuousness. It concerns a miracle Jesus performed in Galilee, the healing of the servant of a man described in the account as a “court official” (v. 46). The account does not make entirely clear which court or what kind of official is meant. Most likely, he was one of the officials of Herod the Tetrarch, who then ruled Galilee and was known, along with his entourage, for being, to put it mildly, less than notably devout. It is all the more surprising that one of Herod's officials should have turned to Jesus. Yet when someone close to them faces death (v. 47), unbelievers too are often ready to trust anyone, and even turn to God, if only it will help. Jesus, however, apparently said not a word about the petitioner's faith or spiritual life, still less reproached him for anything. He merely remarked in general terms that Galileans tend to believe only when they see visible evidence of God's action, the miracles He works and the signs He gives, without which they evidently cannot trust God (v. 48). Naturally, the man who had approached Jesus took the reproach personally and again asked Jesus to come with him before it was too late (v. 49). This reply affirmed his trust both in Jesus Himself and in God. By repeating his request, the petitioner emphasized that he needed no signs or visible miracles, that he was already ready for anything and asked Jesus only one thing: to hurry, so as not to arrive too late. It then turns out that Jesus need not go anywhere at all: He can do everything necessary without even entering the sick person's house (v. 50). The petitioner believes Jesus and, before he even reaches home, learns that he has received what he asked for (vv. 51–53). The miracle has happened, but without impressive effects or visible signs. They were not needed, for the chief miracle Jesus has performed lies in the Kingdom He has brought into the world, and in the fact that this Kingdom is open to everyone who seeks it and is willing to trust Jesus in their search. Such a seeker needs no spectacular, eye-catching miracles: in essence, these merely distract attention from what matters most, from Christ and the Kingdom. That is why Jesus does not perform such conspicuous miracles or offer outwardly convincing proofs that He is the Messiah. He wants those who come to Him and seek the Kingdom to learn to notice what many overlook. This is not surprising, for what matters most cannot be seen with outward, physical sight alone, or proved by outwardly impressive miracles. What matters most in Jesus can be discerned only with spiritual sight. The Kingdom, too, can be seen only in this way.