A Noble Father

A. The Lord encountered a nobleman after His miracle at the wedding in Cana. He was a father in need.

1. People of all ranks and stations need the Savior.

2. Jesus meets people where they are and ministers to them.

B. A loving father sought help for his son.

1. Wise fathers know where to go when their children are in need.

2. Fathers who bring their children’s needs to Jesus show their love for them. Let’s take a look at what this father was willing to do for his son.

John 4:46–53 NKJV

46 So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” 49 The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. 51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!” 52 Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household.

A Noble Father Found Jesus (45-46)

John 4:45–46 NKJV

45 So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they also had gone to the feast. 46 So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum.

1. Jesus had been in Galilee and returned to Cana

a. The Lord’s first miracle had been in Cana.

b. His return there caught the attention of the nobleman.

2. His son’s sickness sent him searching for Jesus. We’re not told if the nobleman was a Gentile or a Jew, a centurion, or a minor official in Herod’s court.

a. It must have been good news to him that Jesus came back.

b. Leaving Capernaum, he headed for Cana to find Jesus.

3. What do we do when one of our children is in need?

a. Find Jesus and tell Him the needs of your children.

b. Expect the Lord to respond to your request.

A Noble Father Knew His Own Power Wasn’t Enough (47-49)

John 4:47–49 NKJV

47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” 49 The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!”

1. There are times when earthly titles and power are inadequate.

1. There are times when earthly titles and power are inadequate.

a. Here was a titled and wealthy father who had a dying son.

b. His political and financial clout couldn’t save his son’s life. His son had been sick, and undoubtedly he had exhausted all the local means at his disposal. Failure of position and money to solve his problem drove him from Capernaum to the village of Cana, 20 to 25 miles away, hoping that the Healer would save his son from death.

His son had been sick, and undoubtedly he had exhausted all the local means at his disposal. Failure of position and money to solve his problem drove him from Capernaum to the village of Cana, 20 to 25 miles away, hoping that the Healer would save his son from death.

2. The nobleman invited Jesus to his house.

a. This invitation seemed to be his only hope.

Edwin A. Blum, “John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 288.

b. Imagine his pleading effort to save his son.

3. The nobleman didn’t know some things about Jesus.

a. He didn’t know that distance wasn’t an issue.

b. He didn’t realize the Lord’s word was sufficient.

4. This was a learning day for a worried father. This man began with Crisis Faith.

A Noble Father Believed What Jesus Said (50)

John 4:50 NKJV

50 Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.

1. Jesus simply said, “Go your way; your son lives.”

a. Those words from Christ were enough for him. The nobleman’s faith became confident faith. His son was completely healed. And the healing took place at the exact time Jesus spoke the word. It was this fact that made a believer out of the nobleman and his household.

John 4:51–53 NKJV

51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!” 52 Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household.

b. He believed the words of Christ and headed home. He found out the timing was exactly as Jesus said. His confident faith became confirmed faith.

2. The nobleman’s faith was rewarded. His son had been healed the moment Jesus spoke the word. The servants and family members confirmed the miracle.

a. This father had contagious faith and shared his experience with others.

Conclusion:

His whole family believed, insuring for them eternal life.

Coming to Jesus is the noblest thing a father can do.