John 4:49–50

The Nobleman is so pressed with the present trouble, as he little heeds what Christ said, and therefore repeats and reneweth his suit with more haste and diffidence then before; (and this is yet another occasion and antecedent of the miracle) yet Christ granteth his request, intimating that the miracle was already wrought, though not in his way, yet in a better; and withal, he cureth his unbelief, making him to go his way at his command, leaning to his word. Whence learn, 1. Such is mans weaknesse and frailty, that distractions with grief or fear, will draw his minde from heeding instructions from Christ, and outward vexations will draw the minde from the thoughts he should have about spiritual and better things; for, he is so taken up with his childes case, that he took little notice of what Christ said, only he is so far humbled and pressed with need, as not to startle at a rough answer. 2. Where there is pressing need, and any spark of faith, it maketh a Supplicant importunate, and that he will not give over, meet with what he will, therefore, doth he renew and presse his suit again, Sir, come down, &c. 3. Weaknesse in faith expresseth it selfe in much haste under pressing needs; so much doth his supplication import, Sir, Come down ere my childe die. 4. Unbelief or weakness of faith hath moe base thoughts of Christ then are seen at first, and the more it be exercised, it will appear the more, for, in his second request, he not only a stricts Christs vertue to his bodily presence, but limits his power further, as if he could do nothing, though present, if his son were once dead. Sir, saith he, come down, and that, ere my son die, both of which were a fault, either to limit him to a way of working, or to limit his power, as if any thing were too hard for him. 5. Such is Christs tendernesse and mercy, that when he hath reproved our faults, and we have come ill speed in amending them, yet he will not leave us so, but will respect great need and weak faith, more then much unbelief and ill deserving; so much appeareth in his granting this mans suit. 6. As Christ may be answering the maine of his peoples desire, when they get not satisfaction in every particular circumstance; and as Christ will not be prescribed unto, or limited in the way of his working; so his refusal to satisfie his people in their way, is in mercy, and because he purposeth to do better; so appeareth here, the best this man could devise was, that at Christs coming to Capernaum, his son should recover, but Christ doth better then so, and sheweth it is done already, Go thy way, thy son liveth, or, is well. 7. Christ hath absolute power of sickness and health, of life and death, and with one word can chase away a deadly disease at never so great a distance, so much doth he teach this Nobleman here, that being at Cana he could chase away sicknesse at Capernaum, thy son liveth. 8. Christ can do a weak believer a good turne, and with that, amend his faults also, and make his former reproofes to work; for, now this man believed the word that Jesus had spoken to him, and, at his command, went his way, not doubting but all would be well.