“a Sychar Christian Or A Cana Christian?”

Jesus wanted so badly to show people that God loved them and wanted them to repent of their sins and concentrate on living each day in a Godly manner, learning a little more and a little more about what it means to be a “disciple” of Christ. But instead, it seemed they wanted Jesus for what they could get out of Him, not what they could give to Him.

After Jesus left Sychar He went to Cana – where He performed His first miracle. But before He did anything there a man from Capernaum found Him and begged Him to come all the way to Capernaum – a two day journey – and heal his son!

“MASTER! PLEASE! TAKE A FOUR DAY WALK AND HEAL MY SON!”

(Two days there, two days back)

I’m sure Jesus had other reasons He wanted to be in Cana. Notice what Jesus said in verse 48: “Unless you people see miracles you will not believe!”

I don’t think this father was looking for a reason to believe. He was looking for someone to heal his son! Jesus had compassion on this man and healed his son, but He wasn’t willing to give up four days to do it. Notice what Jesus did differently. Jesus wanted people to believe in Him because of His word, not His miracles, but here He sees an opportunity to use both. He performed a miracle with His word. He told this father to go back home in faith - His son would live, he was healed. Imagine how the fame of Jesus spread even faster concerning this miracle!

Jesus became more and more frustrated in His three years of ministry because people continuously wanted to have miracles done for them and see miracles done to prove He was the Messiah. He needed to move beyond that and teach them about the Kingdom of Heaven! He needed to spend time with His disciples and prepare them for the crucifixion and what they would face when He was gone. He was running out of time and people still wanted the same show as when He started! They wanted miracles!

Jesus knew what would truly make them happy: the spirit-filled life. But they wanted to live for themselves and be entertained. Except for those people in Sychar. Ah, those few days in Sychar. Jesus saw a city transformed, converted to a new life in the Savior.

Then came Cana, and the father from Capernaum. People who didn’t want to be changed, they wanted the show.

Not much has changed since then. Pastors face the same thing today. We try to get you to listen to the Word of God and understand what will truly make you happy – giving your life to Jesus Christ and becoming more like Him each day through Bible study and Discipleship. Be a Sychar Christian.

But most people want to be Cana people. Surface Christians. They come to church for the show if they come at all. It’s all about “me”:

I want to sing this type of music

I want to have a band

I want to have a choir

I want to use screens ‘cause hymnals are old-fashioned.

I want to use hymnals ‘cause screens aren’t worshipful.

I don’t like a church with chairs, church’s ought to have pews.