Introduction: Today we would like to examine the faith of the nobleman mentioned in our text. The nobleman came to Jesus on behalf of his son who was grievously ill in hopes that Jesus would come and heal him. This man’s faith was initiated by a crisis in his life, as so often is the case with us. Many times we only put our faith in Christ as a last ditch effort when we should have our faith in him always. This seems to be the way that this nobleman’s faith was initiated, but that is not how it ended.
Notice with me four things about this man and his faith:
I. Notice the Resolve of his faith. (4:46-47)
~ John 4:46-47 46. 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.
47. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea 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.
At this point he had reached the end of his rope; his son was about to die. He had probably tried everything imaginable up to this point to try to restore his son but to no avail, nothing seemed to work. He had almost given up hope when he heard of Jesus being close by. He was roughly only twenty miles away from this man’s home. He had heard of the many miracles that Jesus had preformed so he resolves in his heart seek him out and implore him of his help. This is the first hint of any true faith in God abiding in this man’s heart. Like the woman with the issue of blood, he resolved that he must get to Jesus.
II. Notice the Request of his faith. (4:47-49)
~ John 4:47-49 47.When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea 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.
48. Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
49. The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.
This man sought Jesus out there in Cana of Galilee and upon finding Him he made a spectacular request. He asked Jesus if He would come down to his house, where his ailing son lay dying, and heal his son. His request would seem ridiculous to the most people because they would deem it impossible. However, true faith reaches beyond things thought impossible and grasp hold of God; for with him nothing is impossible. “Is anything to hard for the Lord”, was God’s reply to Sarah upon delivering the news that she would bare a son in her old age. That is a good question for us to ask ourselves today. Is anything to hard for the Lord? If we believe the answer is no, then we will begin to make spectacular requests of him, such as the nobleman did in our passage.
III. Notice the Response of his faith. (4:50)
~ John 4:50 50.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.
True faith takes God at His word. When Jesus told this man to go his way, his son liveth, this man took Jesus at His word and believed Him. This man never squabbled with Jesus saying, “No Jesus, that’s not enough, you must come to my house!!” He simply believed the word that Jesus spoke to him. This is a mark of true, genuine faith. Are you taking God at His word today? If your not you do not possess true faith.
IV. Notice the Reward Of his faith. (4:51-53)
~ John 4:51-53 51.And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.
52.Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.
53.So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.
Trusting God to do what He says that He will do always has its rewards. What would have happened if this man had not believed Jesus? It is quite possible that his son would have died, but that is not what happened is it. This man took God at his word by faith, and was rewarded for his faith.
Many times we do not see our prayers answered because we do not have faith when we pray. The Bible teaches us to pray with absolute confidence in God if we want our prayers answered ( Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.).
Conclusion: What type of faith do you possess? Is it shallow, half-hearted belief that you may or may not have your requests answered. If it is that probably explains why you never see productivity in your prayer life. I want to urge you to resolve to get to Jesus with your problems. Once there, do not be afraid to request of even the most spectacular things. When He gives you His word regarding the matter respond in confidence to it, and you will be rewarded for your faith in Him.
