MAY 28, 2017
THE HEALING OF THE NOBLEMAN’S SON
INTRODUCTION:
1. Jesus’ “need” to go through Samaria was met initially in His encounter with the woman at the well. Her conversion was the beginning of a great harvest of souls that provided Him with great spiritual refreshment and joy.
2. What a blessed contrast is seen between Christ’s reception in Samaria compared to other places.
a) In Judea there was prevailing unbelief. In Galilee He was received, but only because of reported miracles done in Judea.
b) Only in Samaria was there the flourishing of true faith.
(1) He was warmly received and proclaimed as the Messiah and Savior, yet there He had performed no miracles.
(2) There was a great harvest of souls in which the disciples participated.
3. As Jesus returned to Galilee, we have an example of one in whom true faith was produced.
a) Just as Nicodemus became an exception to the general rule in Judea, a certain nobleman from Cana and his house proved to be the exceptions in Galilee.
b) In this case we see that the nobleman’s state of mind was not at first an exception, but typical. (See Verse 48) This, rather than helping his faith, was actually a hindrance, i.e. an obstacle that Jesus had to remove before this man could truly believe.
4. THE HEALING OF THE NOBLEMAN’S SON, rather than being a sign to encourage faith, was actually the product of the true faith that was produced in him.
I. HERE WE HAVE A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE GALILEAN STATE OF MIND. (VERSES 43-46)
A. IT WAS AN ATTITUDE OF SKEPTICISM AND DOUBT. (VERSES 43, 44)
1. Note the phrase, “Now after.” This phrase suggests something more than sequence of events. How different from the hearty acceptance that He had experienced during those two wonderful days in Samaria, where, having been besought, He tarried and nurtured their true faith. “Now after” two glorious days in Samaria, He went into the far less friendly climate of Galilee. (Verse 43)
2. Jesus left Samaria in order to officially begin His Galilean ministry, where familiarity bred contempt. (Vs. 44)
a) Jesus fully recognized this regrettable fact, and had Himself so testified. (See Matt. 13:57)
b) It was clearly familiarity that caused their disdain for Him. (See Matt. 13:53-58)
c) Yet, He returned to this hard field, where much of His ministry was to take place, in order to accomplish what His Father gave Him to do.
3. John here notifies us why Jesus had begun His ministry in Judea. This was done so that the reports of His work there would open the way for His work in Galilee. (Verse 45)
a) A full year had passed, and now He was returning to His home country.
b) Having established Himself in the capital city of Israel, He now had a reputation by which to overcome the hometown prejudice.
4. We see in this that Divine Wisdom condescends to accommodate our human weakness.
B. IT WAS A MINDSET OF A MIRACLE-BASED FAITH. (VERSES 45, 46a)
1. This was not unique to Galilee. We saw examples of this same kind of faith in Judea. (Ch. 2:23-25)
2. This became the condition for their reception. “The Galileans received Him having seen all the things that He did…” (Verse 45)
a) Miracles may confirm faith, but they will never create it.
b) A miracle-based faith loves the creature more than the Creator. (Rom. 1:25)
c) A miracle-based faith places greater importance upon the temporal more than the eternal.
3. Jesus came again to Cana, where He had performed His first miracle. (Verse 46a)
II. A CASE IN WHICH THIS MINDSET WAS OVERCOME IS NEXT PRESENTED. (VERSES 46b-54)
A. TRUE FAITH, THOUGH IT BE WEAK AND IMPERFECT, IS STILL TRUE FAITH. (VERSES 46b-49)
1. This nobleman was probably a servant of King Herod.
a) Herod was but a Tetrarch, yet he was called a king, as his father.
b) This one could be Chuza, Herod’s steward. (See Luke 8:3), or perhaps Manaen, Herod’s foster brother. (Acts 63:1)
2. The news of Jesus’ coming to Galilee had apparently spread quickly.
a) This nobleman had already come from Capernaum to Cana.
b) No doubt many others had come from various parts hoping to see some miracle.
3. This nobleman’s faith seemed at first to be no greater than all the others.
4. Jesus severely tested this man’s faith. (Verse 48)
a) These words are addressed to this nobleman.
b) They were inclusive, intending all Galileans generally. “Except ye (plural) see…ye (plural) will not believe.”
c) The Galileans wanted to “see” in order to “believe.”
d) From the nobleman’s reply, we see that he is still holding on to this idea himself. “Sir, come down…”
5. The nobleman’s persistent request seems to indicate that his faith was real, yet there was still a condition attached.
a) He implicitly admitted the charge Jesus made against his countrymen.
b) Yet he persisted in the faith that he had.
c) He seemed to think that Jesus must come down with him to Capernaum where his son lay dying in order to help him.
(1) He hoped to see Christ do something.
(2) He, at this moment, had not come to believe that Christ’s Word only was sufficient. (Compare Matt. 8:7, 8)
(3) Yet, Christ clearly recognized in this man the working of true faith.
B. TRUE FAITH, EVEN THOUGH IMPERFECT, IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH. (VERSES 50-53)
1. Jesus elevated his faith by removing the condition that was attached to it. (Verse 50a)
a) He sent him home, but did not go with him.
b) He met his need, but in an unexpected way. Jesus’ Word would have to be trusted.
c) He promised life to the man’s son.
d) This was intended to perfect his faith.
2. The nobleman’s faith became fixed to the Word of Jesus. (Verse 50b)
a) He departed for home without seeing his son healed, but “faith is the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1)
b) He believed because of the Word Jesus spoke.
3. The nobleman’s faith was confirmed. (Verses 51-53)
a) His faith was confirmed by the report of his servants. (Verse 51)
b) His faith was confirmed by the timing of his son’s recovery. (Verse 52)
c) His faith was confirmed sufficiently to influence his entire household. (Verse 53)
C. TRUE FAITH IS A GRACE THROUGH WHICH GOD IS MOVED TO DO GREAT MIRACLES. (VERSE 54)
1. All miracles are not wrought through the faith of the ones who are blessed.
a) John mentions that this was the second miracle that Jesus performed after coming out of Judea into Galilee.
b) The first of these miracles was, of course, the turning of water into wine. (Ch. 2:1-11)
c) Though Jesus’ mother did have confidence that her Son could do what was needed, and the servants did obey His instructions (perhaps expectantly), He was very clear that the purpose, timing, and working of that miracle was entirely of the Father’s will.
2. This second miracle was produced by divine power through the means and operation of faith which Divine grace worked and developed in the heart of this nobleman.
a) It is therefore an example of that saving faith that is worked in all who believe savingly on Jesus Christ.
b) The greater miracle here was not the physical healing of the nobleman’s son, but rather the spiritual healing (the salvation) of the nobleman and his son, and his whole house.
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