1. Going to Galilee (verses 43-45)
2. Seeking a Sign (verses 46-49)
3. Proving His Power (verses 50-54)

This past Friday, I was at home and received a text from Alyssa, asking if I was going to be at home during the day, as their children have something to drop off for me. I responded that I was working all day from home, just let me know when you are coming by. As it turned out, Drew came by with Lucille and Evie in the early afternoon. So, when they came, I greeted them and let them in. They had two things for me. The first was an invitation to a “Pastor Appreciation Lunch” that their home school co-op is having, which I plan on attending this week.

The second is a book entitled, “The One O’Clock Miracle” by Alison Mitchell.^[1] Drew told me the story behind the book. He said that at their Family Worship, they were reading the story of what I’m preaching today, of the healing of the Nobleman’s Son. At some point in the story, I think it was Lucille, who said, “I know that story.” She proceeded to pull this book off of the shelf. The book is a children’s book that tells the story of our text this morning in John, chapter and the Patton’s thought that it might be helpful to me as I study the passage this week to preach it.

Providentially, I was at that point in my preparation, where I was struggling with a title for my message. And I told the children that I might just use the title of this book as the title of my message. On their way home, I texted them, “I like, ‘The One O’Clock Miracle.’ Notice, you came by about One O’Clock!” Drew quickly replied, “Haha that’s right! The girls are enjoying that detail.” So, in honor of the thoughtfulness of the Patton children, the title of my message this morning is “The One O’Clock Miracle.”

As an introduction to the text this morning, I would like to read this book to you all. I am of that age where the first question that my oldest granddaughter often asks me when she see me, “Grandpa, can you read me a book?” So, this morning, and imagine yourself when you were a child, sitting on your grandfather’s lap, listening to him read you a book and enjoy Alison Mitchell’s “The One O’Clock Miracle.” ^[2]

Long, long ago there lived an important man who worked for the King.

He was sad and so, so worried.

His son was very ill – so ill he was going to die and no one could help him.

But then,


He heard that a man named Jesus was doing the most amazing, wonderful things.

He heard that Jesus was making ill people well again.

He heard that Jesus was doing things only God can do.

So the man decided to ask Jesus for help.


The man and his son lived in Capernaum, by the sea.

But Jesus was staying in Cana, more than twenty miles away!

It was a very long walk - and uphill all the way!

But the man had decided that he MUST see Jesus

So he said goodbye to his son and his family, and he set off to see Jesus.


Up the hill, he walked and walked - and sometimes ran – because he wanted so badly to see Jesus.

The sun went down. The night was dark and the stars were bright. But the man didn’t stop.


Huffing and puffing, he walked and walked – and sometimes ran – hurrying to see Jesus.

The sun came up. The morning arrived

but there was still a long, long way to go.


Puffing and panting, the man walked and walked – and sometime ran – because he NEEDED to see Jesus.

At last, at one o’clock in the afternoon, the man reached Cana, the town where Jesus was.

He had walked and walked – and sometimes run – and now, at last, he could see Jesus.


“Please sir,” he said. “My son is dying. Please come with me. Please make him better.” The man knew that if Jesus came with him, and touched his son, the boy would be well again.

But Jesus just said GO


WHAAAT?! GO HOME WITHOUT JESUS?

After all that walking – and even Running – to get Jesus to come?! But Jesus hadn’t finished

“Go,” Jesus said. And then he added: YOUR SON WILL LIVE


The man BELIEVED him.

Jesus wasn’t going to come to the man's home. He wasn’t going to touch the boy to make him well.

But the man still TRUSTED that what Jesus said was true.


Down the kill, he walked and walked – and sometimes ran – because he BELIEVED Jesus. YOUR SON WILL LIVE

The sun went down.

The night was dark and the moon shone brightly. The man felt so, so tired

But on and on he walked and walked – and sometime ran – because he TRUSTED JESUS.

YOUR SON WILL LIVE


The sun came up. A new morning arrived And still he walked and walked,

though his back ached and his legs were very tired.

YOUR SON WILL LIVE

One he walked and walked – and sometimes ran – because he was sure Jesus would make his son well.

T
hen, far away in the distance, he saw some men.

They came closer and CLOSER They were his own servants.

They must have news, he thought – but what would it be?

“Sir,” they said. “It’s your son ”


“He is ALIVE! He is WELL AGAIN!”

The man was bursting for joy.

“WHEN?” the man asked. “When did he get better?”

“Yesterday. At ONE O’CLOCK In the afternoon.”

“One o’clock?” “ONE O’CLOCK!” the man replied.

Then the man remembered

It was ONE O’CLOCK when he saw Jesus. It was ONE O’CLOCK when Jesus said his son would live. And it was ONE O’CLOCK when his son got better.


Jesus didn’t need to go and see the boy. He didn’t need to walk and walk. He didn’t have to run

JESUS simply SPOKE

- and just like that, the boy was better. WOW! Only Jesus could do that!

And do you know why? Because JESUS IS GOD’S SON!


Happy and smiling, the man walked him – and sometimes he ran – to see his son again.

Then he told his son and his family about Jesus – and how Jesus could do things only God can do.

And they all believed in Jesus, God’s Son, too.

YOUR SON WILL LIVE

And now that the man’s son was well, what could he do?


He could smile and he could laugh, he could walk and he could run, and all because of JESUS!

What a great story! I trust that you enjoyed “The One O’Clock Miracle.” Now, of course, there are some embellishments in the story to make it more appealing for children, and there are things left out from the Biblical account, to help the story move along. But this book does a good job of capturing the spirit of our text this morning. It shows the power of Jesus to a desperate father, who comes to faith.

So, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to open in your Bibles to John, chapter 4 as we look at “The One O’Clock Miracle.” We are going to pick up the story in verse 43, which is a bit before our children’s book began. They are verses that are easy to skip over, but we aren’t in the habit of skipping verses at Rock Valley Bible Church, so let’s look at them. Here we see, Jesus:

1. Going to Galilee (verses 43-45)

John 4:43
After the two days he departed for Galilee.

Two days in Samaria was a miracle in itself. John tells us in chapter 4 and verse 9 that the "Jews have no dealings with Samaritans." For Jesus to stay in Samaria for two days with these hated people, it shows the heart of God to cross cultural and racial boundaries. We have much to learn from Jesus about these things, especially in our racially diverse city and country. He made efforts to cross racial lines, and so should we.

Now, Jesus stayed in the town by invitation. For the past few weeks we have been considering this story, of how Jesus was speaking with the woman at the well, offering her living water. Jesus revealed himself as the Messiah to her (John 4:26). She went back to tell those in the town of who she met at the well, and she bore witness to Jesus. The town went out and talked with him, inviting him to stay with them and he stayed with them for two days (verse 40). While Jesus was with the Samaritans, he was teaching them, so that many came to believe that Jesus is the “Savior of the world” (verse 42).

The significance of this is that Jesus was a Jew. He was the Jewish Messiah. But the Jewish Messiah saved not only the Jews, but also the Samaritans, and by extension, he is the Savior of all nations, even those who live in the Rockford area, some 2,000 years later. He too will be your Savior, if you believe in him! This is the end for which John is writing. He is writing these things to that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, and that by believing, we might have light in his name (John 20:30-31).

In our text we see Jesus traveling back to the Jewish people. Verse 3 tells us that “He left Judea and departed again for Galilee” (John 4:3). After his pit stop in Samaria, he is on his way to Galilee, to finish his trip. In verse 44 we are given the reason why he traveled to Galilee.

John 4:44
(For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.)

This is not difficult to understand. When you grow up in a place there is often a familiarity with people that prevents others from receiving spiritual truth. People don’t often see you as a prophet, they see you as a little kid. The gospel of Luke tells us that when Jesus returned to Nazareth, his hometown and preached in their synagogue, the people were saying, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” (Luke 4:22), as if to say, “Isn’t this the little guy who we saw grow up? how is he now preaching to us? If you remember the occasion, it didn’t go well for Jesus in Nazareth. They hated what he had to say, "All in the synagogue were filled with wrath. And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, he went away" (Luke 4:28-30).

Such was the reception of Jesus in Nazareth, his hometown. Perhaps not to that degree, but to that same spirit, will often come the prophet returning to his hometown. This is why it’s often difficult for parents to receive the gospel from their children, because they know their children, and their children have always been their children, in subordination to them, and it’s difficult to submit to their message. That’s why it’s often difficult for siblings to receive the gospel from their younger siblings, because they remember them as little squirts. The older have always been in charge and held the influencing position. Thus, it’s difficult for them to submit to their message. Now, praise the Lord, this is not always the case. But it is in many cases.

In this case, Jesus is without honor in his hometown, of Nazareth. That's the reason why Jesus avoided Nazareth, his hometown, heading to Cana. However, that’s really not quite what verse 44 says. Most other translations translate this a little differently. The word, “hometown” is usually translated, “country.” It's that way in the NAS, NIV, KJV, NKJV, and CSB versions.

John 4:44
(For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country.) that is, in his homeland, among his own people.

A better translation might read,

John 4:44
(For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his homeland.)

Now, technically, all of Galilee would be the homeland of Jesus. But, this proverb only makes sense if you apply it to those who have known you from childhood. After all, it’s those familiar with the prophet who have a difficult time receiving a prophet’s message. Jesus wasn’t known in this way throughout all of Galilee. So it makes sense to translate this,

John 4:44
(For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.)

So, that’s why Jesus avoided Nazareth on this trip. Coming from Samaria into Galilee, Jesus would have passed through (or at least near) Nazareth. This, by the way, comes as a contrast to what we saw when Jesus was in Samaria! He was received very well. Many of the Samaritans believed in Jesus (verse 41). Verse 45 describes the reception of Jesus in Galilee.

John 4:45
So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast.

Now technically, Nazareth is a part of Galilee. But I would suppose that John here is talking about his reception in greater Galilee, away from the hometown of Jesus. Here we read that Jesus was received well, because of

John 4:45
all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast.

This refers back to chapter 2, when Jesus was in Jerusalem for the feast. It was during those days that Jesus cleansed the temple, "Making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables" (John 2:15). But we also know that Jesus did far more than that. We read in John 2:23, "Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing." Jesus was doing many miraculous things that John chooses to pass over and not give us the details. Though, it is significant that Jesus was doing many miracles, for that’s the basis of why Jesus was received in Galilee.

John 4:45
So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast.

So, we come to verse 46, and the “One O’Clock Miracle.” We come to our second point:

2. Seeking a Sign (verses 46-49)

That’s what we see in Cana. Look at verse 46. Here he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine, which we read in chapter 2.

John 4:46
And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill.

So, we have Jesus in Cana, but John takes us to Capernaum. If you look at our map again, you will see that Capernaum is on the northern side of the Sea of Galilee, about 20 miles from Cana. Here, we encounter

John 4:46
....an official whose son was ill.

This word “official” is derived from the word for “king.” A better translation here is a “royal official,” as most other translations say, or like the New King James says, “a nobleman.” Somehow, this man was connected with the government, serving in the king’s court. This means that he had some means and some connections. But none of that was able to solve his problem at hand. His problem was that his son was ill. We find out in verse 52 that this son had a fever. We find out in verse 47 that he was “at the point of death.” You can picture him at his bedside, caring for him, urging him to drink, placing a damp cloth of water of his forehead, praying at his side. This man was desperate for a cure. Indeed, he was 2. Seeking a Sign (verses 46-49). He was seeking a miracle, to restore his son to life. For parents with sick children, they will do anything for a cure.

For that matter, many with a severe disease are willing to take drastic measures to save their lives. I know people who have had some rare disease, who have gone to foreign countries in seeking for a cure because the FDA in America deems many of these treatments as “experimental” and not proven (or safe). Yet, people in their desperation will go to great lengths for a cure. I don’t blame any of them for doing so. When the option is death or some small possibility of healing, by all means, try out the small possibility. You literally have nothing to lose.

That’s the situation that this father was in. It was a choice between death and the small possibility. Somehow he heard that Jesus had come to Galilee, and he knew of the wonders that Jesus was doing and believed that Jesus would be able to help with his son, so he makes the trip. This is what verse 47 tells us.

John 4:47
When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.

There’s a lot more to this story that John doesn’t tell. He doesn’t tell of the anguish of the father, he doesn’t tell of the details of the signs that Jesus had done, both in Cana and in Jerusalem. Nor does he tell of the difficult of the trip from Capernaum to Cana (which isn’t quite as difficult as Alison Mitchel made out in her book). But it was 20 miles. It was uphill about 2,200 feet in elevation. Nor do I think that his pack was so big. Though it did take a day to travel from Capernaum to Cana. Verse 47 does tell us that this father found Jesus. He did say something to the effect of “Please sir, My son is dying. Please come with me. Please make him better.”

It’s interesting how Jesus responds. Essentially, he rebukes the man. He says

John 4:48
So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”

Jesus didn’t say this to the father as much as he said it to all who were looking on. Because the “you” in verse 48 is plural. In other words, at this point in the narrative, Jesus may be speaking to this man, but his comments weren’t directed toward this man as they were directed toward his countrymen. This is in great contrast to those of Samaria, who merely heard the words of Jesus to believe. Jesus did no miracle in Samaria. He merely taught them, and they believed.

John 4:48
So Jesus said to him, “Unless you [all] see signs and wonders you will not believe.”

What’s interesting here is that this is the premise of the gospel of John. We have gone over this many times. John’s purpose in writing couldn’t be more clear. He writes in John 20:30-31: "Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; John 20:31 but these are 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." One of the signs is right here, in the healing of this royal official’s son. Yet, Jesus rebukes him (and the crowd) for needing signs and wonders to believe.

Now, admittedly, there is a difference here between us and those in Cana. They were “seeing” the signs. We are merely “hearing” about them as John tells us. But this is how genuine faith comes. Paul said in Romans 10:17 “faith comes through hearing.” Beware of those who demand that they need to see for themselves. Faith will come when they hear for themselves. For us, this narrative ought to be sufficient for our faith. But in this narrative, we have a man with a sick son! Despite the rebuke,

John 4:49
The [royal] official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”

This man had faith that Jesus could make his son well. He had faith that would leave his son in his dying days, that would take a day’s journey to find the Jesus who could save him from death, that would make the audacious ask of Jesus, to make that same journey with him to heal his son.

John 4:50
Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.”

I love the way that Alison Mitchell portrays the struggle of this man.

But Jesus just said GO

WHAAAT?! GO HOME WITHOUT JESUS?

After all that walking – and even Running – to get Jesus to come?! But Jesus hadn’t finished

“Go,” Jesus said. And then he added: YOUR SON WILL LIVE

The man BELIEVED him.

Jesus wasn’t going to come to the man's home. He wasn’t going to touch the boy to make him well.

But the man still TRUSTED that what Jesus said was true.

This is what verse 50 says.

John 4:50
Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.

Which takes us to our final point: 1. Going to Galilee (verses 43-45) 2. Seeking a Sign (verses 46-49)

3. Proving His Power (verses 50-54)

This is what Jesus does with the way that he heals this boy who was at the point of death. Jesus proves his power. Jesus heals with a word, from a distance, instantly. That’s what the rest of the narrative tells us.

John 4:50-51
Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. As he was going down,

Again, you see the historical accuracy of the Scripture. Cana was 2,200 feet higher in elevation than Capernaum. So, this man’s journey was downhill all the way.

John 4:51
As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering.

Literally, verse 51 read, “Your son lives!” That’s how most other translations read (NAS, NIV, KJV, NKJV). There is a connection here between the words of Jesus and the words of the servants. They say exactly what Jesus said. Jesus said, “Your son will live!” The servants said, “Your son lives!”

John 4:52-53
So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household.

Remember, in Biblical times, the day started at sunrise, 6am (or so). So, the seventh hour is one o’clock in the afternoon. This is “The One O’Clock Miracle.” It shows the power of Jesus. He merely needs to say the word, and the boy was healed. Jesus didn’t have to go and touch the boy. Jesus didn’t have to give him medicine him or lay his hand upon him, or anoint his head or massage his feet. No, Jesus merely needs to say the word and the boy was healed. It’s similar to his other miracle in Cana. Jesus turned the water into wine without touching the water.

The miracle-working power of Jesus is not sleight of hand trickery. It’s the power that Jesus proves here. This, by the way, ought to be super-comforting to us. Because, Jesus isn’t walking among us today. He is in heaven, at the right hand of God. But do you think that he is so far from us that he cannot work in our lives today? Though Jesus isn’t in the flesh with us, he can still heal with a word from a distance, the moment he speaks. This morning, you may be in need of healing. The good news is this, you don’t have to walk 20 miles to healed. Jesus can heal you from afar. If he would but say the word, you will live! But be careful, don’t demand that such a miracle must take place for you to believe. You may be guilty of merely Seeking a Sign (verses 46-49) as those in Galilee were doing. Don’t let Jesus say to you:

John 4:48
“Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”

The whole point of this narrative is to draw us to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, and that by believing, we may have life in his name! 1. We see this royal official believing in Capernaum, as he committed himself to seeking Jesus (verse 47). 2 We see him believing the word of Jesus in Cana (verse 50). 3. We see him believing in Jesus when the miracle was verified (verse 53). In fact, we see his whole household believing (verse 53). What were they believing? They were believing that Jesus was sent from God with power to save!

The call for us from this passage is to believe as well. This is made clear in verse 54.

John 4:54
This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.

This is the second sign also that John has recorded for us. We saw the water turn into wine in chapter 2. Now, we see the royal official’s son be healed. The reason why John has written them down, and the reason why we are looking at them this morning, is that you might believe, and that by believing you might have life in his name. Do you believe? Do you believe in the saving power of Jesus?

This sermon was delivered to Rock Valley Bible Church on October 13, 2024 by Steve Brandon.
For more information see www.rockvalleybiblechurch.org.

[1] https://www.amazon.com/One-OClock-Miracle-Alison-Mitchell/dp/1910307432.

[2] At this point in the message, it might do well for you to watch me read the book to the congregation. The following takes you right to the place in my sermon where I do so: https://youtu.be/nMzioGfp93U?si=00I6SiIRxrYB8xvu&t=206.