BIG IDEA:
EVEN THE MOST POWERFUL MUST HUMBLY TAKE JESUS AT HIS WORD TO EXPERIENCE THE REWARDS OF FAITH
(:43-45) INTRODUCTION: HOME SWEET HOME??
A. (:43) Progression — Returning from Judea to Galilee
“And after the two days He went forth from there into Galilee.”
He had stayed for 2 days (4:40) with the Samaritan believers. Did not want to extend that stay any longer because He would arouse the opposition of the Jews??
B. (:44) Principle – Respectless at Home
“For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country.”
2 Possibilities debated as to identification of “his own country”:
– Judea and Jerusalem (Westcott argues for this)
– or Galilee (Capernaum / Nazareth)
Familiarity breeds contempt; taken for granted; not given the benefit of the doubt; had to go elsewhere to really prove himself in order to return with more respect.
Lenski: If a prophet is not esteemed in his homeland, how can that be a reason or serve as an explanation for Jesus’ present return to his homeland? Would it not rather serve as a reason or an explanation why he should leave his homeland? This point is urged by those who would regard Judea as his homeland, and they add that Jesus thus far had had little success in Jerusalem and in Judea. …
(Lenski’s view) — Jesus now, after winning his esteem in another land, comes back to his own land and finds that esteem awaiting him.
C. (:45) Paradox – Reception of Sorts
“So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things that He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves also went to the feast.”
Received Him as a wonder worker, but did not honor or trust in Him as Messiah.
I. (:46-50) FAITH INITIATES WITH HUMBLE RELIANCE ON GOD’S WORD
A. (:46-47) Desperate Direct Appeal for Healing from the Only One who could Help
1. (:46a) Return to the scene of the Wine
“He came therefore again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine.”
2. (:46b) Sickness and Death are the Great Social Levelers
“And there was a certain royal official, whose son was sick at Capernaum.” Jesus had dealt with the notorious sinner; now He deals with the nobleman
3. (:47) Desperate Direct Appeal for Healing
“When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him, and was requesting Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death.”
Lenski: Although he is a royal official with servants at his command, he goes in person to beg help of Jesus. Yet only his desperate need drives him, his own free heart’s desire does not draw him. If it were not for his sick son, he would not have troubled much about Jesus. God’s providence often uses our need thus to drive us to find even more than just what we think we need.”
B. (:48) Differentiating Between Faith Peepers and Sign Seekers
“Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.”
Jesus challenges the motivation and tone of the man’s approach.
C. (:49-50) Deciding to Simply Rely on God’s Word
“The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he started off.”
II. (:51-53) FAITH BLOSSOMS FROM THE PROVEN FAITHFULNESS OF GOD’S WORD
A. (:51) Reward of Faith = Healing of His Son
B. (:52-53a) Record of Specific Confirmation
C. (:53b) Reproduction of Faith
“and he himself believed, and his whole household”
(:54) CONCLUSION:
“This is again a second sign that Jesus performed, when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.”