The Gospel of John features 7 short stories that offer a sampling of the miracles Jesus performed during his time of public ministry. These were written so that his readers would come to “believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing [they] may have life in his name” (John 20:31b).
Here is the plot of the second short story:
Healing an Official’s Son (John 4:46-54)
- Setting:
- Cana of Galilee. (4:46)
- Conflict:
- The son of a royal official was ill at Capernaum. (v. 46)
- The official pleaded with Jesus to come and heal his son- a possible act of faith. (v. 47)
- Jesus rebuked him for refusing to believe without seeing a sign- testing his faith. (v. 48)
- Rising Action:
- The official continued to plead with Jesus. (v. 49)
- Jesus told him to “go” for his son “will live”- testing his faith. (v. 50)
- The man left, an act of faith. (v. 50)
- Climax
- While walking home, the official met his servants and learned that his son’s fever had left him. (v. 51-52)
- Falling Action:
- The official learned that the fever left his son at the “Very hour at which Jesus had told him “Your son will live.” (v. 53)
- Resolution:
- The official believed along with his whole household. (v.53)
With Wills 