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The Miracles of Jesus Lesson 3: Healing the Nobleman’s Son John 4:43-54. Healing the Nobleman’s Son Background to the Miracle. Jesus spent time in Jerusalem and Judea where “many believed when they saw the signs that He did” (John 2:23, cf. 3:2)
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The Miracles of JesusLesson 3: Healing the Nobleman’s Son John 4:43-54
Healing the Nobleman’s SonBackground to the Miracle • Jesus spent time in Jerusalem and Judea where “many believed when they saw the signs that He did” (John 2:23, cf. 3:2) • This is the “second sign” John gives as evidence, but not the second sign Jesus did (4:54)
Healing the Nobleman’s SonBackground to the Miracle • Jesus and His disciples return to Galilee through Samaria (John 4:1-42) • After spending two days in Samaria at Sychar where He is honored as the Prophet and the Christ (4:19, 42), Jesus then returns to Galilee (4:43). • Jesus returns to work His home country, where He is “without honor”(4:44; Luke 4:24; cf. Matthew 4:12-16) • Yet He was well received by the Galileans because they had seen His signs in Jerusalem. (4:43-45)
Healing the Nobleman’s Son When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, a certain nobleman traveled from Capernaum to Cana to implore Jesus to come down and heal his son. (John 4:47)
Healing the Nobleman’s Son • A nobleman from Capernaum implores Jesus to come heal his son. (4:46-47, 49) • One of several instances where fathers came to Christ on behalf of their children (Mark 5:22-23; Matt. 17:15) • Jesus says, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe” (4:48) Jesus’ statement conveys with both disappointment and accuracy the state of affairs. • Signs and wonders were necessary to prompt belief. (John 2:23; 3:2; 6:30; 7:31) • Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” • Belief must be coupled with obedience (James 2:18-20)
Healing the Nobleman’s Son • How this miracle grew faith in the Nobleman: • The nobleman had to believea little to travel from Capernaum to Cana to make the request. • The nobleman believed further when Jesus told him, “Go your way your son lives” (4:50) • The nobleman believed further still when he discovered that his son got better at the very hour Jesus had said “your son lives” (4:53)
Important Truths from the Healing of the Nobleman’s Son • Distance is not an obstacle to the power of Christ. • Healing was instantaneous; the fever left the boy the moment Christ spoke. • Faith was not required on the part of the person who was healed.
Note the Similarities between Jesus’ First and Second Miracles in Cana • In the first place, both were third day scenes: … in John 2:1 we read, "And the third day there was a marriage in Carla of Galilee;" and in John 4:43 we are told, "Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.“ • In both miracles we see the Word at work: in each miracle the Lord did nothing but speak. • In both narratives mention is made of the servant’s knowledge (John 2:9 and 4:51). • In each case those who witnessed the miracle believed: …in the one we read, "And his disciples believed on him" (John 2:11); in the other we are told, "And himself believed, and his whole house" (John 4:53).-- adapted from Arthur Pink
The Nobleman A royal noble Sick Son At the point of death with fever Implored Jesus to “come down and heal his son” The Centurion A soldier Sick Servant Paralyzed and tormented Said, “I am not worthy that You should come under my roof” Healing the Nobleman’s SonJohn 4:43-54Not to Be Confused with the Healing of the Centurion’s Servant (Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10) Yet, both resided at Capernaum, both were men of status, & both came to Christ on behalf of a sick household member.