NOTES for Joh 4:43-54
43 Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee. |
44 For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country. |
45 Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast. |
46 So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. |
47 When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. |
48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. |
49 The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. |
50 Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. |
51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. |
52 Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. |
53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. |
54 This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee. |
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What does a person need in order to come to faith? Faith is one of the central concepts of the Gospel of John, for it was "written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:31). Therefore almost all the episodes we read in these days connect the words and deeds of the Lord Jesus with our faith. Miracles and signs are always marked by comments such as, "And His disciples believed in Him."
But how does the Lord Himself regard this connection? What stands behind His words, "Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe": an acknowledgment that a miracle is necessary in order to believe, or a rebuke for a lack of faith that cannot do without a miracle? If the first, then what is the faith of those who did not see miracles worth? And if the second, then what is faith based on miracles worth?
It is impossible to believe with no grounds at all, but it is just as impossible to prove anything or interpret it unambiguously. Faith is a state of spirit that allows us to walk in half-darkness, to remain faithful when signs are lacking, and to discern the signs that point the way.
Readings for 27 April 2026
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