A Desperate Father
Introduction
About five weeks ago on Mother’s Day, I shared a message with you about “A Desperate Mother” from 2 Kings 4:1–7. This morning, it’s on my heart to share a message with you about “A Desperate Father” from John 4:46–53.
In the situation of the mother in 2 Kings, her desperation was the result of a situation of debt. But in John 4, the father’s desperation was the result of a situation of disease. For the Bible says that his “son was sick at Capernaum” (vs. 46), and…
When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto Him, and besought Him that He would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. (John 4:47)
Now the Bible tells us in verse 46 that this man was a nobleman, which according to A. T. Robertson means that he was “?one connected with the king (in this case, Herod the tetrarch)?, whether by blood or by office,” so I’m sure he never expected to be begging anybody for anything.
I read this past week some of the “Top Things You’ll Never Hear A Dad Say.” The items included the following.
You know, sweetheart, now that you’re 13, you’ll be ready for un-chaperoned car dates. Won’t that be fun?
I noticed that all your friends have a certain hostile attitude. I like that.
Here’s a credit card and the keys to my new car. Go Crazy!!
What do you mean you want to play football? Figure skating is not good enough for you, son?
Your mother and I are going away for the weekend. You might want to consider throwing a party.
Well, I don’t know what’s wrong with your car. Probably one of those doo-hickey thingies – you know – that makes it run or something. Just have it towed to a mechanic and pay whatever he asks.
No son of mine is going to live under this roof without an earring. Now quit your belly-aching, and let’s go to the mall.
What do you want to go and get a job for? I make plenty of money for you to spend. And finally…
Well, how ‘bout that? I’m lost! Looks like we’ll have to stop and ask for directions.
You don’t expect to see most dads asking for directions, and you wouldn’t have expected to see most noblemen asking for anything. And yet, this man had become so desperate about his son’s condition that he came 15 to 20 miles from Capernaum to Cana in order to beg Jesus to come back with him and heal his son.
Because of the first miracle in John 2 of Jesus turning water into wine in Cana, He now had the reputation in Galilee of being a miracle worker. So when the nobleman felt like he needed a miracle, he came to Jesus.
I read about a teacher who was drilling his young students on the Westminster Confession of Faith. The first question in the catechism is “What is the chief end of man?” The answer is “To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” One youngster seemed quite sure of himself as he anxiously waved his hand for recognition. When the teacher called his name he proudly blurted out “The chief end of man is to glorify God and annoy Him forever!”
Well, this man had not come to “annoy” Jesus, but he had come desperately seeking Jesus’ help.
I. Let’s Examine The Man And His Son
(John 4:46–47)
A. Notice The Nobility Of This Man
(John 4:46) So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.
1. We See A Reference To His Position
Barnes says that he was “One who was of the royal family, connected by birth with Herod Antipas; or one of the officers of the court, whether by birth allied to him or not.”
The McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia says of this word “nobleman” that this…
is the rendering of the Authorized Version at John 4:46, which is somewhat various in signification: 1, descended from a king; 2, one belonging to the court; 3, a soldier of the king, in which sense it often occurs in Josephus. The second signification seems, however, to be the prevalent one. … The Syriac has here “a royal servant;” the Ethiopic, “a royal house-servant.” This person was, therefore, probably of the court of Herod Antipas, who reigned over Galilee and Persea. Some writers have conjectured that this “nobleman” was Chuza, Herod’s steward, whose wife afterwards became an attendant on Jesus (Luke 8:3), and is thought to have been converted on this occasion; but of this there is no evidence. Cf. (Luke 8:1-3) And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, {2} And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, {3} And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
Listen to the insightful observation of Matthew Henry: “The father a nobleman, and yet the son sick; for dignities and titles of honour will be no security to persons and families from the assaults of sickness and death.”
As J. A. Seiss said, “Even the noble have their trouble.” (From The Biblical Illustrator)
2. We See A Reference To His Place
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia says of Capernaum…
The woe spoken by the Master against this great city has been fulfilled to the uttermost (Matthew 11:23; Luke 10:15). So completely has it perished that the very site is a matter of dispute today. In Scripture Capernaum is not mentioned outside the Gospels. When Jesus finally departed from Nazareth, He dwelt in Capernaum (Matthew 4:13) and made it the main center of His activity during a large part of His public ministry. Nearby He called the fishermen to follow Him (Mark 1:16), and the publican from the receipt of custom (Matthew 9:9, etc.). It was the scene of many “mighty works” (Matthew 11:23; Mark 1:34). Here Jesus healed the centurion’s son (Matthew 8:5, etc.), the nobleman’s son (John 4:46), Simon Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:31, etc.), and the paralytic (Matthew 9:1, etc.); cast out the unclean spirit (Mark 1:23, etc.); and here also, probably, He raised Jairus’ daughter to life (Mark 5:22, etc.). In Capernaum the little child was used to teach the disciples humility, while in the synagogue Jesus delivered His ever-memorable discourse on the bread of life (John 6).
(Matthew 11:23) And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary says that Capernaum means “town of Nahum,” and Nahum has the idea of compassion or comfort or consolation. But in the man’s current situation, he could find neither comfort nor consolation at Capernaum.
B. Notice The Need Of This Man
(John 4:46-47) So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. {47} When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.
1. Look At What Is Said Of The Desire Involved Here
Note that H. W. Watkins said, “The distance of Capernaum from Cana was from twenty to twenty-five miles.” (From The Biblical Illustrator)
Albert Barnes’ indicated that “Capernaum was about a day’s journey from Cana, where Jesus then was.”
We find evidence of the depth of his desire not only in the distance of a substantial walk, but also in the definition of a single word, “besought.”
besought – Greek NT:2065. erotao; the primary meaning of this word is to question, interrogate, but the implication (and especially in this context) is to ask, to request, entreat, pray, or beg. (From Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
2. Look At What Is Said Of The Disease Involved Here
Note that A. T. Roberson explained the word “sick” in verse 46 to mean that he had “continued sick” and that he was “without strength.”
Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament indicates that the statement “he was at the point of death” in verse 47 suggests that the son “literally was about to die.”
II. Let’s Examine The Master And His Statements
(John 4:48–50)
A. One Statement Revealed The Imperfect Faith Of The Galileans
(John 4:48) Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
1. There Was Too Much Fascination With The Phenomenal
The Pulpit Commentary says…”The craving for “signs and wonders” did absorb the higher life of Judaism.” (As Paul said) “The Jews require a sign” (1 Corinthians 1:22)
Adam Clarke explained that…”The words are not addressed to the nobleman alone, but to all the Galilean Jews in general; for our Lord uses the plural number, which he never does when addressing an individual.”
“Of this insistence upon “signs and wonders,” John Gill said…
This was the cast of the Jews everywhere, both in Judea and Galilee; they required signs and miracles to be wrought, in confirmation of Christ’s being the Messiah, and which indeed was but right; and Christ did perform them for that purpose: but their sin of unbelief lay in this, that they wanted still more and more signs; they could not be contented with what they had seen, but required more, being sluggish and backward to believe. Our Lord seems to say this chiefly for the sake of the Galileans, that were about him; who, though they might be acquainted with his former miracles, when among them, of turning water into wine, and had seen his wondrous works at the feast at Jerusalem, yet were very desirous of seeing more, and perhaps very pressing for this cure.
Arthur Pink said…
“Except ye see signs and wonders ye will not believe.” How searching this is! Is it not a word that many of us need? Is it not at this very point we most often fail? We ask God for a certain thing, and we have a measure of faith that it will be given us; but in the interval of waiting the bare word of God is not sufficient for us — we crave a “sign.” … Ah! have we not all of us cause to cry, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24)?
It seems like some folks think that if the preacher doesn’t come in cutting cartwheels, then you’ve not had a service. But worship is not about being entertained by the preacher. It is about having an encounter with Almighty God and exalting Him.
2. There Was Too Much Focus On The Proximity
(John 4:47) When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.
(John 4:49) The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.
Adam Clarke said, “He did not think our Lord could cure him without being present.
John Gill also said that the man “still thought that His going down with him was necessary; that He must be corporeally present, and must lay His hands on him.”
But whether the distance from Cana to Capernaum was 15 miles or 25 miles, it was no obstacle for Christ. And it doesn’t matter how far away from God it seems like someone is, their distance is no barrier to His power!
B. One Statement Revealed The Impressive Favor Of God
(John 4:50) 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.
1. Notice The Cure That Is Offered
John Calvin said in his commentary on this verse…
The first thing that strikes us here is, the astonishing kindness and condescension of Christ, that He bears with the man’s ignorance, and stretches His power beyond what had been expected. … When He says, Thy son liveth, He means that he has been rescued from the danger of death.
2. Notice The Confidence That Is Operating
Marvin Vincent said…
The force of the imperfect is lost, which harmonizes with the succeeding sentence: he “was proceeding” on his way, and as “he was now going down,” etc.
In other words, he started back towards home believing what Jesus had said. Something about Jesus’ words enabled the man to overcome his limited view of Jesus’ ability to work in spite of the magnitude of the disease and in spite of the measure of the distance.
III. Let’s Examine The Miracle And Its Significance
(John 4:51–53)
A. There Was A Realization About This Miracle
1. He Realized The Truth Of Christ’s Word
The last words of Jesus were ringing in his ears as he made the journey back home that day. “Thy son liveth.” And maybe he kept repeating these words to himself. “Thy son liveth. Thy son liveth. Thy son liveth.” And then, as he gets within sight of home, he hears the words, “Thy son liveth!” But it is not the memory of Jesus words, nor is it the sound of his own thoughts. No, it is the voices of his servants who have “met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth” (John 4:51).
2. He Realized The Timing Of Christ’s Work
(John 4:52-53) Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. {53} So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.
hour – Greek 5610. hora, ho'-rah; an “hour” (lit. or fig.):--day, hour, instant, season, X short, [even-] tide, (high) time.
Vincent says of this phrase “at the seventh hour” that “The accusative case denotes not a ‘point’ of time, but ‘duration:’ ‘during’ the seventh hour.”
Jesus in His power, reached across the miles and sprinkled some “essence of Elohim” on the boy, and “Bam!” He was healed in that instant!
B. There Was A Reaction To This Miracle
(John 4:53) So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.
1. It Broadened Faith In The Father
It was A. T. Robertson who said that the man “believed,” and it was “not just the word of Jesus (John 4:50), but complete faith in Jesus Himself as the Messiah; absolute use of ?pisteuoo ?(the Greek term translated “believed”) as in John 1:7.
(John 1:7) The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
Adrian Rogers wrote a book entitled “Believe In Miracles, But Trust In Jesus.” And that is the point that this man had to come to in his life. He believed in miracles, but now he trusted in Jesus.
2. It Birthed Faith In The Family
The Bible Knowledge Commentary says that “the man’s faith grew, and he brought all his household to faith.”
I love the way the Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary describes it: “The wave rolled from the head to the members of his household. ‘Today is salvation come to this house’ (Luke 19:9).”
Conclusion
I read a story yesterday about a desperate father…
It’s a fascinating story that comes out of the 1989 earthquake which almost flattened Armenia. This deadly tremor killed over 30,000 people in less than four minutes. In the midst of all the confusion of the earthquake, a father rushed to his son’s school. When he arrived there he discovered the building was flat as a pancake.
Standing there looking at what was left of the school, the father remembered a promise he made to his son, “No matter what, I’ll always be there for you!” Tears began to fill his eyes. It looked like a hopeless situation, but he could not take his mind off his promise.
Remembering that his son’s classroom was in the back right corner of the building, the father rushed there and started digging through the rubble. As he was digging other grieving parents arrived, clutching their hearts, saying: “My son!” “My daughter!” They tried to pull him off of what was left of the school saying: “It’s too late!” “They’re dead!” “You can’t help!” “Go home!” Even a police officer and a fire-fighter told him he should go home. To everyone who tried to stop him he said, “Are you going to help me now?” They did not answer him and he continued digging for his son stone by stone.
He needed to know for himself: “Is my boy alive or is he dead?” This man dug for eight hours and then twelve and then twenty-four and then thirty-six. Finally in the thirty-eighth hour, as he pulled back a boulder, he heard his son’s voice. He screamed his son’s name, “Armand!” and a voice answered him, “Dad?” It’s me Dad!”
Then the boy added these priceless words, “I told the other kids not to worry. I told ‘em that if you were alive, you’d save me and when you saved me, they’d be saved. You promised that, Dad. ‘No matter what,’ you said, ‘I’ll always be there for you!’ And here you are Dad. You kept your promise!” (Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, Chicken Soup for the Soul.)
Dads … are you willing to dig deep and keep digging in prayer for your kids until they are saved?