The Life of Christ

Galileans received Him, having seen all the things that He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves also went to the feast.

At the Passover feast Jesus did perform miracles, although we are not told of specific instances.

SECTION 43

Mt. 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

At this moment, after a certain number of miracles had been performed, His message now included a call to repentance because the kingdom of God was at hand!

• Repentance requires a turning around from sin.

• This is the first time that Jesus has called for repentance.

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Jn. 4:49-53 The royal official said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he started off. 51 And as he was now going down, his slaves met him, saying that his son was living. 52 So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. They said therefore to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” So, the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives”; and he himself believed, and his whole household.”

We learn from this story that it’s imperative to lay hands on someone to be healed.

• Jesus simply spoke the word and the healing occurred.

• It’s helpful to lay hands to people who are sick, but not a requirement for healing. Most of the time when we pray for people, th ey’re nowhere around and so let’s just speak the word of healing and believe for their recovery!

This culture strongly encouraged the family (household) to follow the path of the head of the house.

• In verse 50 he believed and in verse 53 we read that his whole household also believed.

• One of the responsibilities of the head of the house is to set the cornerstone of faith in the family.

Jn. 4:54 This is again a second sign that Jesus performed, when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.

There were many other miracles performed by Jesus, but this is only the second miracle to be specifically showcased.

• Like the first miracle, it also occurred in Galilee.

• Its purpose will be later explained in Section 48.

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