Sign Part II – The Nobleman’s Son

Do you know this song?

Just yesterday mornin', they let me know you were gone Suzanne, the plans they made put an end to you I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song I just can't remember who to send it to

I've seen fire and I've seen rain I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend But I always thought that I'd see you again

Won't you look down upon me, Jesus? You've got to help me make a stand You've just got to see me through another day My body's aching and my time is at hand And I won't make it any other way

Oh, I've seen fire and I've seen rain I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend But I always thought that I'd see you again

Been walking my mind to an easy time My back turned towards the sun Lord knows, when the cold wind blows It'll turn your head around Well, there's hours of time on the telephone line To talk about things to come Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground

Oh, I've seen fire and I've seen rain I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend But I always thought that I'd see you again

Such a great song that has stood the test of time.

It was written 52 yrs ago!!

This Song is about good times and bad times.

· 1 verse is about Suicide of a friend

· 2 verse – coming through his heroin addiction

· 3 verse – time in mental hospital recovering

While you might not gone through the same stuff

We have all been through some stuff.

Some happy

Some sad

At every turn Jesus is there.

By the time we get to Chapter 4 of the Gospel of John

Jesus had interacted with many people from many different parts of Society

Jesus won the laborers from Galilee (1:29–51).

He ministered to the wedding guests (chapter 2).

A ruler of the Pharisees Nicodemus came to Him (chapter 3).

The Samaritan women became a soul winner (chapter 4).

And now a royal officer came to seek healing for his son.

I love this picture of Jesus.

All these people came from different places, different backgrounds, different economical status, educational status, different stories.

Same Savior!!

Now we are told about a government official

· Most likely Gentile

Working for the Romans – he had a high position – possibly a royal position under King Herod

§ Jesus didn’t care

§ Jesus doesn’t care

· You know who Jesus loves?

o All created in the image of God

o Who are created in the image of God?

o Everyone!!!!

· Jesus doesn’t care where you come from or what you have done

· He just wants you to come to Him and experience His love

So, this Roman official hears about Jesus.

· News of Jesus turning water to wine spread fast!

He finds out Jesus is in the Area

· Jesus is back in Cana where the first sign miracle occurred

· The official travels to Cana from Capernaum

o Usually when it comes to biblical geography, I don’t look to deeply but this story cannot be fully understood without knowing a little bit about it.

§ Capernaum was 25 miles to Cana

· In our day – not a big deal

· In that day – A BIG DEAL

o If they walked – bad terrain – groups of people

o Even on Horse would take at least 5 hours

The Man was desperate

· It’s easy to understand why

o When your kids are sick – you will do anything to help them!!!

So he comes to Jesus and says,

· My son is dying

· Come to Capernaum and heal my son

The man had faith but not complete faith and understanding of who Jesus was and is.

· He thought the man – rabbi – teacher – miracle worker had to travel to Capernaum in order to heal his son

· Maybe lay hands on his son

Jesus is the Son of God and is not deterred by time or space!!

· Wait does that mean I can pray for someone else and Jesus can heal them

o YES

· It means that Jesus is not limited in the same ways were are

o Time – Space – Wisdom

§ He knows what is best

§ He does what is right

· EVERY TIME!!!

Then Jesus teaches something very powerful

John 4:48 (NLT) Jesus asked, “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?”

o He was speaking to the man and to the crowd

o They were wanting sign and wonders but not necessarily a right relationship with God

§ Seeing is believing - if I see I will believe

§ Jesus is teaching something different

If you believe you will see!!!

John 4:50 (NLT) Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!” And the man believed what Jesus said and started home.

What did the man do?

· Did he beg Jesus to come with him?

o Nope

He obeyed

Watch what happened

· On his way home he runs in to his servants who were coming to tell him the good news!

o His son was healed!!!!

o What time?

§ At the exact time that Jesus spoke the words!

Life Lessons

1. Get to Jesus

· No matter what it takes

Pastor can I talk to you. I’m heading to the pulpit but I’d be happy to talk with you after church. Just come to the front. Sorry I can’t have a party to go to

§ That might not get it done!!!

2. Learn from Jesus

· He wants to teach you something through every trial, trouble and tear

· He taught this man – Believing is seeing

3. Obey Jesus

· Go!

· Do whatever Jesus tells you to do!

4. Let Jesus be God

· His timing is not ours

· His ways are not ours

· Reliquish control and let God be God!!

He is the there in our celebrations

He is there in our sorrows

He can do what no one else can do

Faith is not believing after you have seen

Faith is believing you will see God work