John 4:46–54; Luke 7:1–10: The Magnificent 37: Healing from Afar

“Go; your son will live.” With these simple words, Jesus demonstrates that His power is not bound by geography or proximity. In this episode of The Magnificent 37, we explore two profound instances where the Lord heals from a distance: the Official’s Son in John 4 and the Centurion’s Servant in Luke 7. In both cases, desperate men seek Jesus, yet they learn that He does not need to be physically present to effect a cure. These signs show who Jesus is and that His Word and authority alone bridge the gap between life and death. The Rev. Burnell Eckardt, pastor emeritus and editor-in-chief of Gottesdienst: the Journal of Lutheran Liturgy, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study John 4:46–54 and Luke 7:1–10. Thy Strong Word kicks off the new year by dedicating our time to study "The Magnificent 37: The Miracles of Jesus." Christ didn't just speak the Word; He demonstrated it with power. From the quiet intimacy of water turning to wine at Cana to the earth-shaking reality of the empty tomb, the Gospels record thirty-seven distinct moments where Jesus suspended the laws of nature to reveal the power of his grace. This isn't just a list of "neat tricks" from history. It is a systematic walkthrough of how God breaks into our broken world to fix it. Why did Jesus curse a fig tree? Why did He need mud to heal a blind man? What does the coin in the fish's mouth teach us about being citizens of heaven and earth? Host, Pastor Phil Booe and a lineup of guest pastors will take you through each event, verse by verse. We’ll move past the Sunday School summary and get into the meat of the text, including the Old Testament connections, the cultural context, and the immediate comfort these signs bring to your life today. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.