John 4:48-50

THE NOBLEMAN’S SON

‘Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. The nobleman saith unto Him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth.’

John 4:48

There are just three points into which the narrative seems to divide itself:—

I. The nobleman applying to Jesus.—There was much to keep him away. The worldly pleasures of Herod’s court (2 Timothy 4:10; Luke 8:14). Like most of the Jews, he would be satisfied with his own religion (Matthew 3:9). Our Lord was despised as a Galilæan (John 1:46; John 7:41; John 7:52). Why, then, should this great man come to Jesus? It was outward need. One he loved was ill—nay, dying (Psalms 107:17). No doubt he had heard of the exercise of His power in many ways, and thought He might be able to cure his son. Troubles bring many to Jesus who do not believe in Him as the Son of God or the Saviour from sin (Isaiah 26:16).

II. The nobleman accepting the word of Jesus.—Our Lord knew, by his request, that he wished Him to display His power in curing his son. To this our Lord does not accede. He wishes the nobleman to trust in His word. He says, ‘Go thy way; thy son liveth.’ Mark what these words convey. Thy way is perfectly plain (Psalms 37:5; Zechariah 4:6). I am the giver of present salvation. He does not say, ‘Thy son shall live’; nor does He pray that He may live. He simply gives life (John 11:25). What does the nobleman do? He accepted the word of Jesus, and went home leisurely. (The distance was only twenty miles, and he was on his way the next day [John 4:52].) ‘He that believeth shall not make haste’ (Isaiah 28:16). He has peace in believing the word (Psalms 112:7).

III. The nobleman believing in Jesus.—As he was on his way home, his servants met him and told of his son’s recovery. What then? Three things are told us. He inquired. He knew. He believed. So it is. On receiving the Word, we must search and inquire. This is the first step (Acts 17:11; John 5:39). Then we come to have knowledge (Hosea 9:7; 1 John 5:13). So we come to believe. The nobleman saw the power of the Word. His son had received life at the very time (John 6:63). He saw Jesus to be the Imparter of life—the Son of God—and ‘himself believed and his whole house’ (John 4:53).

This narrative shows us the steps of faith. The nobleman believed in the power of Jesus from the first (John 2:23). At last he believed savingly in the person of Jesus (John 3:36). Oh, to know this difference!

—Bishop Rowley Hill.