Your Son Lives

John 4:43-54

Introduction• After the events surrounding the Samaritan

woman at the well, Jesus stayed two days– John 4:43– He went on to Galilee, where He had been

headed earlier (John 4:1-4)

His own country• John 4:44-45

– What was “His own country”?• Some think it was Judea, explaining why He left

– But Jn 4:1-4 shows He left Judea because He was too popular, causing Pharisees to be jealous

• Some think it was Galilee, explaining why He had not done many miracles there

– Doesn’t exactly match the words used speaking of honor

• Probably it was Nazareth based on Lk 4:16-30– Explaining why He didn’t go to that city

Cana• John 4:46

• Cana, abt 4-5 miles north of Nazareth– He passed by Nazareth

• People knew Him from miracles done at the feast (Passover)– As well as the miracle at

the wedding feast in Cana (Jn 2:1-11)• Was not well-known at the

time, but word has spread

Capernaum• Capernaum, believed to be

near north coast of Sea of Galilee, abt 20 miles NE of Cana– A bigger city, had a tax office

and a Roman garrison• A nobleman – anyone

connected to the ruling house (Herod Antipas)– Could be a relative– Could be an officer

• Some think it might have been Chuza, Herod’s steward (Lk 8:3)

The nobleman’s son• John 4:46-47

– Imagine yourself in the nobleman’s place• Your son is dying, doctors are helpless, your wife

is crying

• All options are gone, you are ready to take any chance

• Then you hear Jesus is back in Galilee– Heard of His miracle in Cana– Heard of His miracles in Judea

• Too important a mission to send a servant– He goes to get Jesus– Cana is physically uphill, so he begs Jesus to

come down to Capernaum

Jesus’ response• John 4:48

– Jesus doesn’t answer the appeal at first– Makes a statement questioning the motive

behind the request• Are you just wanting a sign?

– Jn 2:18 – the Jewish leaders wanted signs before accepting Jesus as having authority

• Jesus wanted people to believe in Him– John 6:29, 20:30-31– Miracles were a means of confirming who He was– Not a ‘sideshow’ or ‘speedy clinic’

– So is the nobleman asking because he believes or because he is desperate for a cure?

The response• John 4:49

– The nobleman merely repeats his plea• He is desperate

• He does believe Jesus can help

• Perhaps he can’t think of anyway to show his belief without requiring a sign to be done in Capernaum

Go your way• John 4:50

– Jesus tells him to go home, “Your son lives”– Now he is faced with the question of belief

• He had meant for Jesus to come with him and do something to heal the child

• Now Jesus says the child is well– It’s a full day’s walk to get back and if he’s still

sick, another two days to come back to Cana and return

• Does he believe in Jesus without a sign?– He does believe, and starts down, apparently

walking through the night

The healing• John 4:51-53

– On the way down, he meets some of his servants on their way up• “Your son lives!” is their greeting

– Unknowingly echoing the exact words of Jesus

– He asks when his son began to improve• A natural healing takes time

• He might think, ‘Perhaps Jesus was only telling me that my son was recovering on his own’

– Servants say the fever left him at a certain time• Sudden healing so that they could say, 1:00 pm

• The exact time Jesus spoke, and his faith grew

What does this incident teach us?• Jesus’ primary concern is your soul

– Not your health (2 Cor 12:7-10)– Not your wealth (Mt 6:24)– Not your relationships (Mt 10:34-39,12:46-50)– Examples:

• Thief on the cross (Lk 23:39-43)– Didn’t save his life, but saved his soul

• James and John (Mt 20:20-23, 26-28)– Not concerned with their desire for greatness, but

in their godly service• The woman at the well (Jn 4:1-26)

– Not interested in her gender, her nationality, etc, but interested in saving her soul

What does this incident teach us?• Jesus is not a respecter of persons

– No special treatment of this nobleman– Didn’t go out of his way to accompany him– Jms 2:1-9 – Christians are to show no partiality– Gal 3:27-29 – all are equal in Christ

What does this incident teach us?• Jesus’ power is astonishing

– When you want to know something will be done properly, you ask for a demonstration• Jesus demonstrated His power

– Over the elements of matter (Jn 2)– Over physical ailments, distance and time (Jn 4)– Over physical laws – feeding 5000, walking on

water (Jn 6)– Over death (Jn 11)

– So when He says (Eph 3:20-21)• You can believe He can do as He says• His power is astonishing!• He can and will keep His promises

Conclusion• Jesus wants you to believe so that you can be

saved– That’s His, and should be our, top priority– That’s true regardless of who you are (or aren’t)– And He has the power to bring about our

salvation• As well as to bless us in so many ways

• Won’t you come to Him now?