The Story of the Fisherman Part One "The Beginning of the Fisherman's Story" John 1:1-18 Part Two "The Telling of the Fisherman's Story" John 1:19-12:50 I. The Story Is an Unveiling of the Redemptive Promise of God, 1:19-4:54. A. John the Baptist: the Presenter of the Promise (Jesus), 1:19-34. B. The First Disciples: Attracted to the Promise (Jesus), John 1:35-51 C. The First Proof of the Promise's (Jesus') Power and Person: The Miracle at Cana, John 2:1-11. D. The Capernaum Interlude, 2:12 (Mention of Jesus' brothers) E. The First Cleansing of the Temple, 2:13-22 (The Zeal of Jesus for His Father's House) F. The First Presentation of the Gospel Message to a Seeker (Nicodemus), John 2:23-3:21. G. The Transfer of Mission from John the Baptist to Jesus, John 3:22-36. H. The Samaritan Ministry, John 4:1-42 We continue the telling of the fisherman's story by considering . . . I. The Second Proof of the Jesus' Power and Person: The Healing of the Nobleman's Son, John 4:43-54 The Life Application Bible in its commentary of this section of John notes the following: After his wonderful experience in Samaria, Jesus went to Cana in Galilee, where he healed a royal official's son. But along with the healing came Jesus' rebuke that the people's belief was based on seeing signs and wonders, not on trusting in Jesus himself. These events stand in contrast to Jesus' experience in Sychar (4:1-42), where without miracles and through an unexpected witness, many placed their trust in him. 1. This miracle marked the beginning of Jesus' return to His home region, John 4:43-44. (John 4:43-44 NIV) After the two days he left for Galilee. {44} (Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.) 2. Jesus' return was marked by a welcoming attitude among the Galileans, John 4:45. (John 4:45 NIV) When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, for they also had been there. 3. Jesus' visit to Cana marked His second miracle, John 4:46-54. a. Jesus was approached by a desperate father, John 4:46-49 (John 4:46-49 NIV) Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. {47} When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death. {48} "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe." {49} The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies." Why did the nobleman come to Jesus? 1) He was aware of Jesus' power. 2) He had run out of other options. 3) His only hope was Jesus. b. Jesus was inclined to honor the nobleman's faith, John 4:50a. (John 4:50a NIV) Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live." c. The nobleman took Jesus at His word, John 4:50b. (John 4:50b NIV) The man took Jesus at his word and departed. d. The nobleman's faith prompted a miracle which led to belief of the whole household, John 4:51-54. (John 4:51-54 NIV) While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. {52} When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, "The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour." {53} Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." So he and all his household believed. {54} This was the second miraculous sign that Jesus performed, having come from Judea to Galilee. Warren Wiersbe makes this observation concerning this miracle: In the second recorded miracle, Jesus showed His power over space. He was not limited simply because He was in Cana and the sick boy was in Capernaum. The fact that the father believed the word and did not know the results until the next day is evidence that he had confident faith. He trusted the word that Jesus spoke, and so should we. --Warren Wiersbe, Be Alive: John 1-12 There will be more signs of Jesus power as the gospel story progresses. THE SEVEN SIGNS OF JOHN'S GOSPEL
Lessons from the Second Miracle There are some key thoughts that arise from this incident that can be a lesson to believers relative to what can and ought to come from faith in Jesus' word. 1. It is from Jesus that we ought to seek help in our times of desperation. (Mat 11:28-30 NIV) "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. {29} Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. {30} For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." 2. It is through prayer and God's Word that we ought to seek help from God relative to our need. (Heb 4:15-16 NIV) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. {16} Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. 3. It is in Jesus that we must place our faith in His ability to minister to our need. (Mat 9:27-29 NIV) As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!" {28} When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" "Yes, Lord," they replied. {29} Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you." 4. God responds to our exercise of faith in Him for at least two purposes: · To provide us with a testimony we can offer to others of God's ability to minister to our needs. (2 Cor 1:3-4 NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, {4} who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. · To reveal God's power and glory to God's to others so they might also believe. (Eph 3:20-21 NIV) Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, {21} to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. |
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Wednesday, November 9, 2011
The Fisherman's Story: A Story in the Gospel of John
