THE FIRING OF FAITH: HEALING THE NOBLEMAN’S SON
#803 THE FIRING OF FAITH
HEALING THE NOBLEMAN’S SON
Scripture John 4:46-54, NIV Orig. 10/3/1983
Rewr. 1/21/1990
Passage: 46 Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death. 48 “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.” 49 The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed. 51 While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52 When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.” 53 Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed.
54 This was the second sign Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee.
Purpose: Continuing a series from the Gospel, here showing Jesus’s concern for more than a father’s seriously ill son.
Keywords: Bible Study Faith Christ as Teacher
Series, John Series, New Testament Characters
Introduction
It has been a number of weeks since we discussed the Cana miracle where Jesus turned water into wine. It was pointed out then that John records seven miraculous signs manifested by Jesus. This is the second. He will heal a lame man in the next chapter, feed the 5,000 and walk on water in the one following, restore sight to a man born blind in Chapter 9, and raise Lazarus from the dead in Chapter 11.
These cannot be random events. John surely had a connected purpose. Of the dozens (35-40), five of these seven are recorded nowhere else. Where the other gospel writers refer to the miracles of Jesus, John refers to “signs.” (Greek sémeion.) It’s the same word, by the way, that John uses in Revelation 1:1 where he presents the book, its purpose, and the link with Jesus.
John chose the seven with great care. (1) Cana: to reveal the expulsion of the old order, and the infusion of the new. (2) In Jesus’ absence as John writes these pages, the second acknowledges the power of Jesus still available to them though His presence is not. (3) The healing on the sabbath 5:1-9 attests to the unique sonship of Jesus. (4) Feeding of the 5,000 declares the spiritual nourishment that rests in Him. (5) Walking on the water (6:16-21) is told by both Matthew and Mark. Both emphasize the stilling of the water. John does not. His purpose is to show Jesus’ viability in the stress times of life. (6) He chooses in the sixth sign to depict Jesus restoring powers of sight, physical and spiritual. (7) Finally, this sign (11:1-44) reveals the redemptive purpose of Christ, as in death, also in life.
Notes from an earlier sermon—John 4:46-54, Matthew 13:52
1. Where—Cana of Galilee, Luke 4:28
Samaritan—John 4:1-42
2. Who—Nobleman of Capernaum (20 miles)
Healing of Centurion’s son Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 7:10
3. Question of order
John 4:54 Second miracle after coming from Judaea to Galilee
John 5:1 After this Jesus went to Jerusalem
John 6:1 After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee
John 7:1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee for He would not walk in Jewry because the Jews sought to kill Him (see John 5:18)
Feasts: Passover, John 6:4; Feasts of Tabernacles, John 7:2; “another” Jewish festival, John 5:1
4. What happens
1) A man willing to humble himself (John 4:46-47)—a petty king, court official, his son was dying. Herod Antipas.
2) A man who suffers testing (John 4:48)—addressed the man and the crowd; the man had to go back to the court
3) A man with faith (John 4:50)
4) A man with enlarged faith (John 4:53)