THE Lord was again in Galilee, having returned from Jerusalem through Samaria. During His stay in the metropolis He had expounded the way of life to Nicodemus, and on His journey homeward He had ministered eternal satisfaction and joy to the woman by the well of Sychar. The latter incident was followed by two days of happy labor amongst Samaritans deeply eager to hear His word.
He was once more in Cana. A nobleman, resident in Capernaum, appealed to Him to visit that port and heal his son, who was now at the point of death (John 4:46-54). The story is interesting in all its parts, for the present and future history of Israel may be read therein. The man was a courtier, or “King’s officer” (R.V. margin); i.e., he was, though a Jew, attached to the court of Herod, the alien ruler of the northern districts of Israel. Expressive picture of the false position in which the elect nation has long stood. Having proved false to its unique calling in separation from all other peoples, God has abandoned the nation to the fruit of its ways, with the result that Israel has been for ages subservient to Gentile masters. Like the courtier’s son, Israel has fallen under the power of death, so that nationally the people are likened in Ezekiel 37. to a valley full of dry bones, no more to live until the day of the Saviour’s presence here in power. In answer to His suppliant, the Lord replied: “Except ye see signs and wonders ye will not believe.” In Israel generally this was only too true (1 Cor. 1:22), while with Samaritans and Gentiles His word sufficed. With fervor the father besought Him: “Sir, come down, ere my child die.” His faith was far below that of the Roman centurion under similar circumstances. He urged the Saviour not to come, but to speak the healing word where He was, being persuaded that nothing more was required (Matt. 8:8). The Jewish courtier must be taught his lesson; accordingly he was dismissed with the words: “Go thy way, thy son liveth.” He believed the Saviour; for his faith, though feeble, was real. He therefore turned his steps homeward, soon meeting servants who had been sent out from Capernaum with the happy intelligence that his son was well. Upon inquiry he learned that the fever left him at the very hour of the Saviour’s utterance in Cana. From that moment his whole household became believers in the Messianic title of Jesus of Nazareth.
Faith in the word of the absent Christ is the great need of the present time. No longer is His voice heard speaking on earth, but He speaks from heaven in the sacred Scriptures. Therein He tells us of the infinite love of God, of the costly sacrifice of Calvary, and of pardon, justification and eternal life, the blessed portion of all who trust in Him. If the divine voice is not to be heard in the Scriptures then is heaven absolutely silent, and we are left to blindly grope our way along towards destruction. He who imagines that the Creator has thus abandoned His creatures, plagues his own heart with unreasonable thoughts concerning Him Who is both infinitely wise and infinitely good.