1650. The Sign of the Healing of the Nobleman's Son

The Sign of the Healing of the Nobleman's Son

"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" (Joh_4:50).

Cana of Galilee was the location of the first sign; it was there that Christ turned the water into wine.

The second sign recorded by John was given also while Christ was at Cana.

1. The sickness of the nobleman's son. The nobleman lived in Capernaum; his son was sick. When Christ had come into Galilee, the nobleman besought Him that He would come down and heal his son, for he was nigh unto death.

"Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe" (Joh_4:48).

The nobleman, however, continued to plead: "Sir, come down ere my child die" (Joh_4:49).

2. The son restored. Jesus did not answer the nobleman's request by going down with him to Capernaum, He simply said: "Go thy way; thy son liveth" (Joh_4:50).

The nobleman's faith remained unshaken. Evidently it had not occurred to him that Christ could heal his son unless He went down to Capernaum, where his son was sick.

In answer to Christ's command, however, he obeyed, and as he went his way, his servants met him, and said: "Thy son liveth" (Joh_4:51).

As a result of his healing, the nobleman himself believed, and also his whole house.

3. The sign set forth. This miracle, following as it does the miracle of the turning of the water into wine, is the more significant.

The empty waterpots, as we have before seen, set forth the hollowness, the lifelessness of the Jew's religion.

As a result, we read in John 4, of how Christ turned to Samaria, and of how the city of Sychar heard His Word.

Christ testified unto the Jews saying: "A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country" (Mat_13:57; see Joh_4:44).

The Jews had refused Him; the Gentiles had received Him, Israel was sick; the nobleman's son was healed.

The type may be used to typify the wonderful power of Christ to save the Gentiles.

(1) Christ turned from Israel. He was refused, rejected, and despised of His own people.

(2) Christ turned to the Gentiles. During this age, the time of Israel's temporary setting aside, God is reaching out His hand to the lost of every nation.

The healing of the nobleman's son must have stirred the hearts of the Jews to jealousy.

So also must the fact that Christ has turned to the Gentiles, provoke the Jews to jealousy.

The sign proclaims the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God; it demonstrates that they who believe in Him receive life through His name.

The signs to follow, clearly show Christ turning again to Israel and her final redemption.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR