John – Chapter 4:43-54
Almighty and everlasting God, who by Thy Son hast promised us the forgiveness of sins, righteousness, and everlasting life: We beseech Thee, do Thou by Thy Holy Spirit so quicken our hearts that we in daily prayer may seek our help in Christ against all temptations, and, constantly believing His promise, obtain that for which we pray, and at last be saved, through Thy Son Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen. (Veit Dietrich, Collect for Trinity 21) 4:43-46a Jesus enters Galilee – After his interlude in Samaria (4:4-42), Jesus now resumes his travel from Judea to Galilee (c.f. 4:1-3). Remember that He left for Galilee due to potential threats of the Jewish authorities. Note also that the Galileans “received” Jesus as the Samaritans (4:39-42), because of all Jesus had done in Jerusalem at the festival (2:23; 4:45). All the synoptics identify Nazareth as his “home country.” John, too, is referring to Galilee. Jesus is rejected in his “fatherland” of Jerusalem (2:12-22; 4:23-24). This is especially vivid in John 7–8, esp. 7:1, 8:59. John 4:44 should be read together with 2:19; 1:29; 4:21, 29. 4:46b-53 “Go! Your son lives” – Some suggest this account of the nobleman (4:46,49) is parallel to centurion in Mt. 8:5-13. But there are notable differences: location, timeline, the person healed, character of the father/centurion, and manner of answer. John the evangelist has his own purpose for telling this story: the gift of life brings with it the gift of faith and an increase in the family of God. When Jesus responds to the nobleman’s request, he uses plural Greek verbs, “unless y’all see signs.” Is Jesus is rebuking the Galileans and nobleman for mere belief in signs? This would contrast the Samaritans, who believed by the word, with the Galileans, who demanded signs. But this would not be consistent with 2:23-25 nor the Gospel’s own statement of purpose, “signs… so that you may believe” (20:30-31). For John, the signs and words of Jesus have the same purpose: to articulate and demonstrate through hearing and seeing the truth that Jesus is the one who works the work of God. The signs hide and reveal. They are capable of misunderstanding and discernment of faith. For the royal official, Jesus gives this sign: giving of life from the threat of death. Three…