Performance In Christianity series
Basilikos’ Son At Capernaum – Performance in Jesus
The title of Basilikos (Greek for Nobleman) is a position indicating a ranking officer in the kings’ government. John refers to this gentleman as a “Nobleman” with particular emphasis on the oriental culture that speaks to wealth, responsibility, and authority of one who served Herod Antipas, the first of the Herod lineage. We often note that people of all stations of life came and sought after Jesus for spiritual intervention, specifically the healing of a loved one. We must respect the humility of these persons who were powerful but understood the signs and wonders of the powerful Son of God who walked among them with humility as the son of man. This man felt a sense of urgency because his son was dying of a fever. The Basilikos requested a visit, but Jesus sent Grace.
The Human Factor has the need for signs and wonders to believe, as demonstrated by the Basilikos. Faith demands peace of belief (John 4:48). With the permission of God the Father, Jesus used His sovereign power to act without a personal visit. We who believe in Christ accept the power of Jesus to be manifested or performed by the Grace of God. When the Grace of God is extended, we who believe, receive through the provision of the Holy Spirit, and for God’s Glory, we see signs and wonders. John 4:50, Jesus tells the Basilikos ‘to go home, your son is well.’ On his way home, the Basilikos meets one of his servants with the confirmation of his belief, his son was well (John 4:51).
In the land of Cana, there was a provision of God’s Grace. Jesus performed His first miracle there, and the people there were receptive to the acts of God. There are geographical locations and specific demographics that reject the Grace of God, and God does not work there, it is our choice to receive or reject God (Romans 8:28). This is a significant stance of balance concerning unconditional election or doctrine focused on predestination (Ephesians 1:4-5). Anything unconditional precludes choice, and believers have the privilege of choice or free will. When we study God’s covenants, and promises therein is the evidence of choice.
The Basilikos' confirmation of Faith and his whole house believed, and they saw signs and wonders, what will it take for you?
John 4:46-54
So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told [him], saying, Thy son liveth. Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. So the father knew that [it was] at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. This [is] again the second miracle [that] Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.
The LORD Our Righteousness, Jehovah Tsidkenu (Jeremiah 23:6), we thank You for You grant us the providence of belief with peace. We praise You because You grant us the Grace of God for His Glory. We decree and declare blessings upon those who find the Grace of God for the Glory of His Sovereign Power, so that; by the Work of Faith, we are delivered on the condition of our Faith. Now, for the Kingdom and the Glory of God, we petition, with anointing in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Savior, Amen.