I wonder why John makes this note in his Gospel record. Why is it important to single out this miracle as the second miracle of Jesus in Galilee (the first being the wedding miracle in Cana). Is it because there are only two miracles in Galilee so far? Should there have been more? From John’s narrative we learn he had done wonders in Jerusalem and people had believed in him (Chapter 2). By chapter 4, the record shows the people in Galilee welcomed him home. Apparently some of them had witnessed the wonders he had performed in Judea. How many? I don’t really know, but I can be fairly certain they were more than the ones performed in Galilee.
Remember the parenthetical statement
made by John in chapter 4, verse 44, referring to Jesus’ assessment of his
diminished status as a prophet in his own homeland. His home folk apparently could not see in him
anything more that the local boy, in spite of the evidence they may have seen to
the contrary. They marvel, but they do
not believe. And it is belief that is required
to be saved. They like Jesus because he
brings them and the area recognition, but nothing more. Certainly nothing personal. This is a theme that will recur again in
Galilee. It can even happen in me,
unless I am aware of the danger and resist the temptation to become so familiar
with the Christ trappings and in doing so overlook the Christ that changes my
life—the Jesus who gives me new life.
That is what I want and need every day.
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