John 4, Part 3
Notes
Transcript
46 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill.
47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.
48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”
49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”
50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.
51 As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering.
52 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.”
53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household.
54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.
This nobleman was a government official, probably holding some high position in Herod’s court. His experience reveals the various stages of faith, the kind of growing faith that every man should experience.
A beginning faith
A beginning faith
46 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill.
47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.
When Jesus entered the city of Cana, a nobleman (basilixos), an official of the King’s royal court, approached Jesus. The actions of the man demonstrated exactly what is involved in a beginning faith. There was a desperate need. The man’s son was at the point of death.
Needs confront every human being. Eventually the severe needs arising from accident, illness, disease, suffering, and death strike everyone. No one is exempt. One may be an official in government or even the king himself—it does not matter. The day eventually comes when every man needs help. The severe disasters of life are beyond any man’s control.
There was hearing about Jesus. The man heard about Jesus, and he listened attentively to what he heard. He didn’t roll his eyes, didn’t “pull rank”, didn’t laugh, he was focused on what Jesus had to say. Facing one of the severe disasters of life, the man came to Jesus. Jesus was the only person he had ever heard about that might be able to help. Note what the man had to sacrifice in order to go to Jesus. The man had to leave the side of his dying son knowing he would be gone for many hours. Imagine the anxiety and fear that his son might die while he was away. The man would literally have to tear himself away from his son. Such an act shows how strongly he believed that Jesus could help him. The man had to travel almost a day’s journey to reach Jesus. Capernaum was about twenty miles from Cana. Imagine the concern and apprehension gripping the father’s heart every foot of the way, wondering if he should have left his son’s side. The fact that he persevered and kept his eyes on the hope of Jesus shows the faith of his heart. The man did not let his high position keep him from Jesus. He did not wrap himself in pride nor did he allow what others might say keep him from Jesus. Swallowing his pride, he confessed his need in the face of all who ridiculed, and he went to Jesus. The man literally begged (erota) and kept on begging for Jesus to meet his need.
A persistent faith
A persistent faith
48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”
49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”
There is a lesson of faith here. The man said, “Come down, and heal my son.” Jesus was saying, “Unless I come down and you see signs and miracles you will not believe. Is that what you are saying?” Jesus had to teach the man that His Word alone was enough. Belief in His Word was what was going to assure the request. His power was at the nobleman’s disposal if he would just believe Him. Belief is to precede signs and wonders. Note that “you” is plural. Jesus was addressing both the man and the crowd. He wanted the crowd to get the message as well.
The man was in no position to argue, not even to think through what Jesus had just said. He was desperate. A severe disaster had stricken his life. He believed Jesus was the only One who could help him, and he was determined to secure Jesus’ help. He cried out, “Lord come down before my child die.” The man did not allow Jesus’ rebuke to deter him, and he kept after Jesus.
NOTE: The signs and wonders (the boy’s healing) were not as important as believing Jesus. A man’s eternal salvation was at stake, and the man had to believe to be saved. The man was helped because he persisted. Persistence was absolutely necessary in securing the Lord’s help. Persistence shows that one really recognizes and acknowledges his need and really believes God can and will help. Note: if a man ceases to ask, he shows that he does not believe God will answer. He gives up on God, disbelieving Him. This man did not allow the Lord’s hesitation to stop him.
A trusting, obedient, and working faith
A trusting, obedient, and working faith
50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.
The man had a trusting, obedient, and working faith. He was persistent, so regardless of how long you pray, regardless of how hopeless it feels, regardless of how discouraged we may get, we MUST persist in our faith. Jesus rewarded his persistence. Go - your son will live.
Notice he did not ask Jesus to repeat himself, he did not look for confirmation or clarification, he believed the word that Jesus spoke and went. The idea is that of instantaneous faith and action: he believed immediately and he turned immediately, heading home to his son. He acted on his faith.
Both faith and obedience were necessary to receive the promise and help of Jesus. The man would not have received the help of Jesus if he had not accepted and believed the Word of Jesus or if he had rebelled and acted childishly. The man could have easily acted like so many when they bring their needs to God: “Your word is not good enough. My son is not healed. He is there in Capernaum and you are far away, no place close to him. How could he be helped with you so far away? Come, visit, show yourself, stand before us: help us.” Such, of course, is pleading to God for help; but it is not crying to God in faith, not basing one’s request upon the Word and promise of Christ. It is asking God to help, but it is also dictating how God is to help. It is telling God how He is to act instead of accepting and acting upon His Word. There is no real faith apart from obedience and work.
Notice this:
FAITH = Obedience + Work
Obedience - to hear and act; willing compliance
Work - the activity involved with completing the duty given.
Faith - Faith is the knowledge of, trust in, and commitment to Jesus Christ that is required for salvation.
So, one might say:
SALVATION = Obedience + Work (BY/THROUGH FAITH)
A confirmed faith
A confirmed faith
51 As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering.
52 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.”
Note the words “as he was now going.” He was in the act of obeying Christ when he received the glorious news that his prayer was answered. Again, it was believing the promise of Jesus and obeying Him that brought the blessing. Both belief and obedience were essential.
Note also that the man confirmed the supernatural vs. the natural. He asked the exact hour the boy recovered. He wanted to be certain; he wanted absolute confirmation. He was reaching out for stronger faith in Jesus. He was so full of joy and thankfulness to Jesus that he wanted to believe on Him more and more.
Notice places in scripture where faith and healing take place:
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Cleansing of the 10 lepers.
19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
Restoring sight of blind man.
52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.
Healing of demon possessed girl.
28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
Woman with the issue of blood.
34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
A witnessing faith
A witnessing faith
53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household.
54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.
What was the reaction of the man, once he came home and saw his son’s health had been restored?
The man witnessed to “his whole house.” He told them about the experience, the Word of promise and instructions Jesus had given, and they all believed. They committed themselves fully to Jesus as the Messiah. Witnessing for Jesus was not easy for this man. He was a high official, moving about in the halls of a corrupt government and among immoral officials. He would definitely be facing ridicule and persecution, and perhaps loss of position and even loss of life. But note: his faith was a witnessing faith. He loved Jesus for what Jesus had done for him, and he wanted others to know Jesus’ glorious salvation.
This passage illustrates the importance of believing in Jesus’ word despite our circumstances. It encourages individuals to bring their struggles to Christ, understanding that true faith is expressed through obedience and trust in His promises, especially in times of desperation. True faith in Christ, exemplified through obedience and action, is transformative and leads to healing and salvation, confirming that God is intimately involved in our struggles.
It is CRITICALLY important for our salvation to personally and intimately understand what faith is and how it is intertwined with obedience and works.
What is our first action, when we have times of crisis in our lives? Is it faith and obedience? Or is it fear and weakness?
Why is it significant that the nobleman believed Jesus' word without needing physical evidence?
