Ep. 16: Man on a mission
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MATTHEW 4:12, MARK 1:14, LUKE 4:14-15, JOHN 4:43-54
The brief ‘revival’ in Samaria was, as Jesus had indicated to his disciples, the beginning of something bigger. It formed the introduction to his ministry in Galilee, which might be summed up by the words, ‘in the power of the Spirit,’ with which he describes his return to Galilee. He takes up the message of John the Baptist, only with a wider sweep, not just announcing the Kingdom of heaven, but now calling those who heard him to believe the Gospel which he brought them.
It was probably early summertime and it all started very quietly when the disciples had returned to their homes, while Jesus taught in various synagogues in Galilee. He has returned to the region a different man, a man on a mission. He had moved on from being ‘the carpenter’s son’, particularly after what many had witnessed at his visit to Jerusalem. Accordingly, they were now prepared to receive him with a little more reverence. We next hear of him on his second visit to Cana.
This was the home of Nathanael, where Jesus was most welcome. It was here that the second recorded miracle of his Galilean ministry was performed. It was going to have a great effect upon the whole district, even as far as Nazareth. It was the healing of the son of Herod Antipas’ official.
In the Talmud, various cases are recorded in which those seriously ill, even at the point of death, were restored by the prayers of celebrated Rabbis. One instance is especially illustrative. When the son of Gamaliel was dangerously ill. He sent two of his disciples to one Chanina ben Dosa for prayers for the restoration of his son. Chanina is said to have gone up to his upper chamber to pray. On his return. He assured the messengers that the young man was restored. The messengers noted down the hour and on their arrival at the house of Gamaliel found, that at that very hour ‘the fever left him, and he asked for water.’ Of course, this may be a legend, as a response to Jesus’ exploits in the New Testament.
What Jesus intended to show with this miracle was that he, who was life personified, could restore life at a distance as easily as by his Presence; by the word of his Power as readily as by a personal touch. Jesus was in Cana, the poor lad was in Capernaum, twenty-five miles away. This is a lesson of the deepest importance for all of us, regarding the Person of Christ. Through this, we come to know the meaning and the blessedness of believing in Jesus. This was not only the Messiah of the Jews but the Saviour of the world.
Edersheim sums this up in his usual lyrical manner:
‘And so are we ever led faithfully and effectually, yet gently, by his benefits, upwards from the lower stage of belief by what we see him do, to that higher faith which is absolute and unseeing trust, springing from an experimental knowledge of what he is.’
This is an extract from the book, Jesus : Life and Times, available for £10 here (Finalist for Academic Book of the year at 2023 CRT awards)