John: Jesus' Second sign

Jesus' words and actions were designed to produce faith in him. The story of Jesus healing a nobleman's son is an example of faith developing in response to what Jesus did. It began by clutching at a straw - Jesus' reputation as a healer. It developed into trust in his word. And it became trust in him as a person. Here Jesus challenges the craving for religious excitement, and gives an assurance of salvation on the basis of his own words and acts.