Wednesday 1 July 2026

Psalm 66:13-20

Background
While in Galilee Jesus visited Cana, not so far from Capernaum where he mostly stayed, nor from Nazareth where he grew up. It was a familiar place to Jesus and of course the town where his first miracle took place – turning water into wine at the wedding.

While in Cana, a senior civil servant from Capernaum arrived begging Jesus to come and heal his son who was very ill. And like what seems to have happened quite often, Jesus doesn’t immediately drop everything and head off to help. Indeed, he is a bit dismissive, muttering that people always want miracles before they believe.

Stories like this are often hard to read. We are so used to medical professionals doing today what would have been seen as miraculous in previous generations. And despite that, we all experience the sadness of losing a loved one when medical intervention is not successful and a miracle does not occur. We know that all of us will die. That is part of what it means to be human. But here there is a miracle and the son is restored to health.

What I like in this passage is that the civil servant accepted what Jesus said without question. Scholars think he was a high-ranking official, and here he was seeking out a former carpenter turned homeless preacher. We approach Jesus with full humility, like this civil servant.

Jesus' reply wasn’t what the parent had asked Jesus to do, but he was in the presence of Jesus and however Jesus responded was good enough for him. He believed what Jesus said, and then immediately acted by starting his relatively short journey back home. And when home, and recognising that exactly when Jesus spoke his son was healed, in response he and his family all believed in Jesus. I wonder if our reaction would have been the same, and just how quick are we to do what Jesus says to us?

To Ponder:

• Have you experienced anything you would describe as a miracle?
• Do you find healing stories like this helpful or problematic? Why?
• How quick are you to do what Jesus says, or do you find yourself somehow debating what God’s word might be clearly saying?

Prayer
Loving God, we often think we know best and in our prayers can be quick to tell you what you need to do. Help us to listen, to do what you say, and to believe. Amen.

Bible notes author: The Revd Dr Stephen Skuce
The Revd Dr Stephen Skuce is the Superintendent for Growing Churches within the Methodist Church in Ireland.