JESUS HEALS THE NOBLEMAN'S SON

John 4:46-50 So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where He made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee, he went unto Him, and besought Him that He would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. The nobleman saith unto Him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

Having stayed in Sychar for two days, and teaching the Samaritans that requested to hear His gospel message of salvation, Jesus departed thence, and went into Galilee (Vs. 43). Into which part or city, is not given, but it is evident that He did not go into His hometown of Nazareth, for Jesus Himself testified, that a prophet hath no honor in his own country (Vs. 44). Although this is not an entirely true maxim, it has been accepted as a general rule. There were then, and still are today, exceptions to this saying. It does, however, seem to be true that, because of self-pride, a member of one's family, a friend, or a neighbor, often refuses to be taught by one with whom they have a close relationship. No doubt, this would have been Jesus' reception had he gone back to Nazareth to teach those that knew Him as a child and a young adult. However, in other parts of this Jewish province, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things that He did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast (Vs. 45). These Galileans heard and believed His teaching. Whether they received Him as the promised Messiah, or as a prophet of God, is not given. But they eagerly came to Him and heard His message of salvation because of the miracles He performed on the Day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. They had either witnessed it themselves by attending this festival, or they had first hand knowledge from those that had been there at that time.

So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where He made the water wine. Here, we are reminded of His first recorded miracle. We should never forget the confirming importance of His miracles. They not only established the teachings of Jesus as God-ordained, but, after His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension back into Heaven, miracles did the same to confirm the teaching of God's plan of salvation through Christ Jesus by His apostles on the Day of Pentecost and thereafter. But at this time, Jesus was in Cana, and there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. This man was probably a resident of Capernaum, and as a nobleman, he had either been born or adopted into royalty, and probably served as an officer of the king's court. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee, he went unto Him, and besought Him that He would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.

No doubt, the fame of Jesus had been spread all over Palestine by those that had witnessed, or heard of, His teaching and the miracles He had performed. Although those of His own country refused to seek out Jesus, yet a high-ranking nobleman from Capernaum knew of Him and sought His miraculous power, and asked Him to come to Capernaum, and heal his son, who was at the point of death. Although the nobleman had some faith in Jesus as a godly person, yet his faith was still lacking - it was an imperfect faith that relied on outward expressions. Because of this Jesus admonished him by saying that except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. The nobleman expressed the urgency of Jesus going immediately to Capernaum to heal his son, ere my child die. Without any hesitation, Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. Although Jesus did not go to Capernaum and physically meet with, and heal, his son, the faith of this nobleman in Christ Jesus grew to a significantly fuller capacity. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

The following verses tell us that, as the noblemen returned to Capernaum, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth (Vs. 51). When he asked his servants when the miraculous healing took place, they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. Remembering the time on the previous day that Jesus told him thy son liveth, the nobleman knew that it was the same hour. Previously his faith in Jesus was not complete, but now, with the healing of his son, all doubts were removed, and the nobleman himself believed, and his whole house (Vss. 52-53).

Comfort yourself with these words of strength freely given by our Savior tobelievingChristians of all ages!