A. BACKGROUND: JOHN 4:46-54
1. Spring time. Jesus is returning from Jerusalem and the Passover(2:13).
2. Did miracles in Jerusalem. ¡§When He (Jesus) was in Jerusalem at the Passover . . . they saw the miracles which He did¡¨ (2:23).
3. Ministry to the woman at the well. ¡§The woman then left her waterpot . . . come see a man, which told me all things that ever I did¡¨ (4:28-29).
4. First ministry to Gentiles. ¡§Many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him . . . he abode there two days¡¨ (4:39-40).
5. Previous miracle in Cana. ¡§So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine¡¨ (4:46).
WHY THIS MIRACLE IS EMPHASIZED
„X Anointed place. There are places where God likes to work.
„X Anointed method. There are methods that are more effective
at one time than on other occasions.
„X Anointed memory. Our remembrances motivate us to faith.
B. RECIPIENT OF THE MIRACLE
1. President¡¦s Cabinet. The word ¡§nobleman¡¨ (4:46) is ¡§courtier,¡¨ a member of Herod¡¦s court.
„X Jesus helps both poor woman and rich man.
„X Jesus helps both young boy and older woman.
„X Jesus helps both secular politicians and religious Nicodemus.
2. Why did the nobleman come to Jesus?
„X Intellect. He heard of Jesus¡¦ miracles.
„X Emotions. His son was at the point of death.
„X Will. He put Jesus before his reputation, etc.
3. How to approached Jesus for a miracle.
„X Absolute desire. ¡§He besought (Jesus)¡¨ (4:47).
„X Absolute commitment. Came from Capernaum to Cana.
„X Absolute obedience. ¡§The man believed the word that Jesus had spoken and went his way¡¨ (4:50).
„X Absolute love. The plea was not from an influential politician, but from a loving father for a dying son.
„X Absolute abandonment. The son (paidon, small child) was about to die.
4. Why did Jesus say, ¡§Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe¡¨? (4:48).
„X The verbs see (idete) and believe (pisteusete) are plural addressed to the crowd following Jesus.
„X Not addressed to father, he had faith.
„X The Jews seek miracles (I Cor. 1:22), Greeks seek wisdom.
(One of the reasons tongues have ceased. For complete reasons go to www.elmertowns.com. Type in ¡§tongues¡¨ at the Theological Q & A section).
5. What was the father¡¦s role in healing?
„X Faith in spoken word. ¡§Believed the word that Jesus had spoken¡¨ (4:50).
„X Faith in the incarnate word. ¡§Himself believed¡¨ (4:53).
„X ¡§The prayer of faith shall save the sick¡¨ (James 5:15).
6. Does this teach ¡§household salvation¡¨?
„X The father was the example to his family. ¡§Himself believed, and his whole house¡¨ (4:53)
„X The miracle by Christ was the source of belief.
7. What does ¡§second miracle¡¨ mean? Jesus had done many miracles in Jerusalem (2:23).
„X Second in that location, i.e., Cana.
„X Second after left Jerusalem, other one silent.
„X Second miracle written in John.
8. What can we learn about Jesus from this miracle?
„X He can heal emergencies. ¡§At point of death.¡¨
„X He can heal over distance.
„X He will heal Gentiles.
„X He will heal in response to beseeching prayer.
„X He will heal in response to faith.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
For more information on the TRBC Pastor¡¦s Bible Class, log on to the Internet for TRBC Home page at www.trbc.org/pbc.
