Tonight, we will finish up chapter 4 of John. We’ve now gotten away from the story of the woman at the well. Last week we talked about how we show evidence of our faith when we honor Jesus, when we welcome Him into our lives, and finally when we receive Him. Tonight, we will close out this chapter looking at the stages of faith as seen in the life of a government official of Jesus’ day.
This nobleman probably held some high position in Herod’s court. It’s his experience that reveals the various stages of faith, the kind of growing faith that everyone should experience.
READ 46-47. The first stage of faith is a beginning faith. When Jesus entered the city of Cana, a certain royal official approached Jesus. This man’s actions demonstrate exactly what is involved in a beginning faith.
1. The first thing we see is there was a desperate need. The man’s son was at the point of death. Every human being will confront a need in their life. Eventually the severe needs come from accidents, illness, disease, suffering, and death strike everyone. No one is exempt. It doesn’t matter if you are an official in government or the king himself. The day eventually comes when every person needs help. It’s beyond our control to avoid them.
2. Secondly, there was hearing about Jesus. This man had heard ABOUT Jesus and so he listened attentively to what he heard. He didn’t turn a deaf ear to the message. He didn’t think of himself as being too important to listen. He didn’t think of the message as foolishness. Whoever it was that originally shared with this man about Jesus, the government official didn’t mock him.
So, the official had a desperate need, and then he heard about Jesus.
3. The third step in a beginning faith is the coming to Jesus. Facing one of the severe disasters in his life, this man came to Jesus. Jesus was the only person he had ever heard about that might be able to help. We need to note what this man had to sacrifice in order to go to Jesus.
a. First, he had to leave the side of his dying son. Knowing he would be gone for many hours. Imagine the anxiety and fear that his son might die while he was away. The man would literally have to tear himself away from his son. Such an act shows how strongly he believed that Jesus could help him.
b. Secondly, the man had to travel almost a day‘s journey to reach Jesus. Capernaum was about twenty miles from Cana. Imagine the concern and apprehension gripping the father’s heart every foot of the way, wondering if he should have left his son’s side. The fact that he persevered and kept his eyes on the hope of Jesus shows the faith of his heart.
c. Thirdly, the man didn’t let his high position keep him from Jesus. He didn’t wrap himself in pride nor did he allow what others might say keep him from Jesus. Swallowing his pride, he confessed his need in the face of all who ridiculed, and he went to Jesus.
So, this official has a need, he hears about Jesus, he comes to Jesus, and the last step we see in this beginning faith is:
d. He begs Jesus to help. Read 47 again. The Greek word used in the original text was “erota” which means he literally begged and kept on begging for Jesus to meet his need.
READ 48-49. Now we see the second stage of faith—a persistent faith. There are two things, two crucial lessons we learn here.
1. The first thing we have is a lesson in faith. The man said, “Come down, and heal my son.” Jesus was saying, “Unless I come and you see signs and miracle you will not believe. Is that what you are saying?”
Jesus had to teach the man that His word alone was enough. Belief is His Word was what was going to assure this man’s request. Jesus’ power was at the royal official’s disposal if he would just believe Him. Belief needs to precede signs and wonders.
In v. 48, the word “you” is plural. Jesus was not only addressing the man but the crowd as well. He wanted the crowd to get the message as well.
We also need to note here that people are no different today. They might say they believe, but until they experience a sign, a wonder, a healing for themselves, do they really believe? For instance, we pray for healing needs most every Wednesday night. What if a traveling miracle working evangelist set up a big tent in the field across the street and put up a big sign that read “COME SEE THE HEALING OF THE SICK FIRST HAND.” I wonder how many from SEBC would sneak over there to see. I wonder how many would put more faith in SEEING a miracle happen versus coming to our prayer meeting and praying in faith.
2. The second crucial lesson we learn here is the man’s desperate insistence. The man was in no position to argue, not even to think through what Jesus had just said. A severe disaster had stricken his life. He believed Jesus was the only One who could help him, and he was determined to get Jesus to help. He cried out, “Lord come before my child dies.”
Did you notice that the man didn’t allow Jesus’ rebuke to deter him. He kept after Jesus. Now there are a couple of things we need to notice here.
1. Signs and wonders (in this case the boy’s healing) were not as important as believing Jesus. A man’s eternal salvation was at stake, and the man had to believe to be saved.
2. The man was helped because he persisted. Persistence was absolutely necessary in securing the Lord’s help. Persistence shows that you really recognize and acknowledge your need and really believe God can and will help. Here’s something to remember: if a person quits asking, that shows that they don’t believe God will answer. They give up on God. This man didn’t allow the Lord’s hesitation to stop him.
READ v. 50. Here we see the third stage of faith—a trusting, obedient, working faith.
Jesus’ charge to the man was “You may go.” His promise was, “Your son will live.” The man believed in Jesus’ Word and he was obedient. He “took Jesus at His word, and departed.” What we see here is instantaneous faith and action. He believed immediately and he turned immediately, heading home to his son. He acted on his faith. Just what do you think this man believed about Jesus?
a. He believed in Jesus’ love, compassion and concern. He believed that Jesus cared for those who had a desperate need.
b. Do you think he believed in Jesus’ omniscience? That Jesus knew the son was healed, although he was 20 miles away.
c. How about the Lord’s omnipotence? Do you think he believed that Jesus had the power to heal his son, even from a great distance?
Notice that both faith and obedience were necessary to receive the promise and help of Jesus. The man would not have received the help of Jesus if he had not accepted and believed the Word of Jesus or if he had rebelled and acted childishly.
The man could have easily acted like so many when they bring needs to God. “Your word is not good enough. My son is not healed. He is there in Capernaum and you are far away, no place close to him. How could he be helped with you so far away? Come, visit, show yourself, stand before us, help us.”
Sure, that’s pleading to God for help as so many do, but it’s not crying to God in faith, not basing your request upon the Word and promise of Christ. It’s asking God to help, but it’s also dictating how God is to help. It’s telling God how He is to act instead of accepting and acting upon His Word. Are you guilty of doing the same thing? This should remind us that there’s no real faith apart from obedience and work. Do we REALLY believe that “Nothing is impossible with God?” Now we’re feeling what faith really is.
READ 51-53. Now we see the fourth stage of faith—a confirmed faith. Note the words in v. 51 “still on the way.” He was in the act of obeying Christ when he received the glorious news that his prayer was answered. Again, it was believing the promise of Jesus and obeying Him that brought the blessing. Both belief and obedience were essential.
Note that the man confirmed the supernatural versus the natural. He asked the exact hour the boy recovered. He wanted to be certain, he wanted absolute confirmation. He was reaching out for stronger faith in Jesus. He was so full of joy and thankfulness to Jesus that he wanted to believe in Him more and more.
READ 53-54. And finally, here’s the fifth and last stage of faith—a witnessing faith. Let’s note two things and we will stop for tonight.
1. The man witnessed to “all his household.” He told them about the experience, the Word of promise and instructions Jesus had given, and it says that they believed. They committed themselves fully to Jesus as the Messiah.
2. Secondly, we need to note that witnessing for Jesus was not easy for this man. He was a high official, moving about in the halls of a corrupt government and among immoral officials. He would definitely be facing ridicule and persecution, and maybe lose his position and maybe even his life.
But notice, his faith was a witnessing faith. He loved Jesus for what Jesus had done for him, and he wanted others to know Jesus’ glorious salvation.
Is our faith as strong? Something to pray about.
