CSSA 1-4-06 - THE NOBLEMAN'S SON

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81. THE NOBLEMAN'S SON

"And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way''

Aim

To show how a nobleman believed Jesus and his son was healed

After spending two days talking to the Samaritans, Jesus went north to Galilee with his little band of disciples. He came again to Cana, where he had performed his first miracle of changing water into wine. On that occasion many believed when they saw the miracle. This time Jesus expected men to believe the words that they heard him speak. We will see what wonderful power he really had.

John 4:46-54

A CRY FOR HELP: John 4:43-47

While Jesus was at Cana, a certain nobleman came hurrying from Capernaum, some twenty five kilometres away. We are not told his name, but the word "nobleman" shows that he was a royal officer, probably working for Herod Antipas, the ruler over this part of the land. This nobleman had come to find Jesus, because he was desperately worried. His son was very sick. As soon as he had heard that Jesus had returned from Jerusalem to Galilee, he anxiously went to look for him to plead for his help. His son was on the point of death and he begged Jesus to come down and heal him. The fame of Jesus had spread quickly throughout the land. The things that he said and the things that he did in Jerusalem had soon filled the rulers of the Jews with anger and jealousy. Those who had come from Galilee for the feast had taken the news of all these events back to their home towns. So when he now returned to Galilee, "the Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast" (v45). Here in Galilee, there was a different mood among the people. They welcomed him and were eager to see more of the miracles that he was becoming famous for.

THE SECOND MIRACLE IN CANA: John 4:48-50

So the nobleman came to Jesus, desperately begging for help. Jesus said to him, "Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe" (v48). Remember how Jesus had reminded his mother at the wedding of Cana that he must do his Father's work. His work was to preach the Kingdom of God, so that men would believe and repent. It was the heart and mind of men that Jesus wanted to change.

When the nobleman heard Jesus' words, he could think of nothing else, but his dying son. Surely this man, about whom he had heard so much, would help him. "Sir, come down ere my child die," he cried (v49).

Jesus said to him, "Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way" (v50).

No doubt that nobleman stayed to hear more about the Kingdom of God. This was the important thing, that he might believe that Jesus was the Christ and change his ways and give honour to God. What a burden had been lifted from that poor man's shoulders when he heard Jesus say, "Thy son liveth". He went on his way home with his heart full of thankfulness and joy.

THE NOBLEMAN AND HIS HOUSEHOLD BELIEVE ON JESUS: John 4:51-54

The next day, as the nobleman was travelling home, his servants met him on the way and told him the good news, "Thy son liveth" (v51). This was no surprise to the nobleman, for he had believed Jesus' same words. He asked his servants what time of the day his son had begun to get better. They said, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him" (v52). That was the very same hour that Jesus had spoken those wonderful words, "Thy son liveth". When the nobleman explained the whole story to his family and his servants, they were astonished and all of them believed that Jesus was indeed the Son of God.

LESSON FOR US

The nobleman knew that there was no hope for his son unless Jesus was prepared to help him. That is why he pleaded with Jesus to come down to Capernaum. He had to learn the lesson that Yahweh is a God at hand and also afar off (see Jer. 23:23-24). When God speaks, His word is done. So God gave Jesus the power to do miracles and works of healing, and all that was necessary was for him to "speak the word".

We must never forget that all that God has spoken will be done. He has said that Christ will return and raise the dead (a very great miracle) and show His great power in the earth again. If we believe His word, as the nobleman did, we will be able to rejoice when he cornes.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Jesus said to the nobleman, "Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken" (v50).

What a great faith the nobleman showed. To "have faith" means to "believe", to be convinced in our mind that something is true. The wonderful stories we read in the Bible are full of men and women of faith. They are people who believed that what God said was true. We read in Romans 10:17 that "faith cometh by hearing ... the word of God". We can learn to have faith in the same way as the nobleman. He heard the words of Jesus and he believed. He did not argue; he did not doubt. He "went his way" (v50).

By reading the Bible and listening carefully to the words of God, spoken by the prophets and by Jesus and the apostles, we learn to have faith. When the nobleman heard Jesus' words, he believed and obeyed. It is not enough to read and believe. We too must also obey. Only by believing and obeying will we please God.

QUESTIONS

Short Answers

1. When Jesus was at Cana, a nobleman came to him. Where did the nobleman come from?

Why did the nobleman come to look for Jesus?
What did he want Jesus to do?
What did Jesus say to the nobleman that made him happy?
Why did the nobleman ask his servants what time his son had begun to get better?
When the nobleman explained what happened, what did his family and servants think?