Memory Verse

 "Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.  But these are written that you may believe that Jesus in the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."  John 20:30-31

Lesson

Thank you for continuing this journey of the Gospel Project for Kids.  Over the next six weeks, kids will learn about some of Jesus' miracles that helped people believe that Jesus is God's Son, the Messiah.  Today's Bible story took place in Cana, where Jesus had performed His first miracle of turning water into wine.  News spread of Jesus' whereabouts, and an official hurried to find Him.  The official's son was sick in Capernaum, about 20 miles away.  The boy was so sick, he would die if he didn't get help.  Imagine the urgency in the official's voice when he pleaded for Jesus to come heal his son.  But Jesus didn't rush away to Capernaum.  Instead, He challenged the official and the Galileans:  "You people must see miracles and signs before you believe in Me."

It was true, many people who saw Jesus' miracles followed Him and believed in Him.  (See John 2:11, 23; 3:2; 6:2, 14; 12:11, 18)  Jesus was willing to help people, but He didn't want them to miss the point.  The miracles were signs that pointed to who Jesus is:  the Son of God who offers eternal life.  The official pleaded again, "Sir, come down before my boy dies!"  Jesus answered, "Go.  Your son will live."  So the official and everyone in his household believed in Jesus.  Jesus' miracles are one of the main ways God brought people to faith in Him.  The official wanted Jesus to save his son from death, and it was not until Jesus did so that he understood who Jesus is:  the promised Messiah.  It took faith for the official to believe Jesus' words  -  that his son was healed.  In healing the official's son, Jesus showed His authority and power as God's Son.  John concludes his Gospel by explaining that Jesus did more miracles than what are written but "these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:31).