August 1924
T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
511
SEPTEMBER 7, 19584 JESUS HEALS A NOBLEMAN’S SON Golden Text: “ I am the way, the truth, and the life.1 John 14:6. liesson Text: John 4:46-54. Devotional Reading: Psalm 130:1-8. FATHER’S L O V E F A I T H R E W A R D Dike as a father— so the Bord It has been suggested that this certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum might have been Chuza, Herod’s steward, (Luke 8:3)' or Manaen, Herod’s foster brother (Acts 1 3 :1 ). It would take an experience of this sort to interest one of this class in the fortunes BESSON of the lowly Nazarene. He was driven EXPOSITION to the Saviour by the exigency of his need, F. W . Farr Isaiah 26:16, rather than drawn by spir itual desire. He had heard of Christ’s mighty works and went to Him as anyone today living in the country would send into the city for some famous spe cialist in a desperate case of need. His faith is small and weak, limited to the bodily presence of Christ, “ Come down ere my child die.” Such faith can best be strengthened by being tested. The Lord does not go with him but sends him away with the assurance that all was well. The mir acle was a double one, wrought in the body of the distant child and in the heart of the anxious father. The nobleman returned hoping at the most for a slow and gradual con valescence. To his surprise he found an immediate and complete recovery. There are three steps of faith in this experience. In the first place the nobleman believed in the testimony he had heard concerning Jesus. Credible and competent witnesses told him what they had seen in Jerusalem and others told him that Jesus had come to Cana. He believed them and went to Cana to petition for his son’s recovery. In the second place he believed the words of Christ spoken to him self and when he heard Him say “ Thy son liveth,” he had no further anxiety. Finally he believed on Christ himself as the promised Messiah and the Saviour of men. This is the objective and full development of faith. Henceforth his confidence in Christ would be unshaken. He could trust Him at all times and under all circumstances and in this faith his family could share, having had the same evidence of the trustworthiness and power of Jesus to save unto the uttermost. This miracle teaches us that the power of Jesus is just as effective to heal at a distance as when close at hand. Some poor sufferer may lament the fact that Jesus is no longer on earth to minister unto needs like his. If it be His sovereign will to heal, He can act as easily from Heaven as if standing at the sick one’s bedside. Since He is the same, yesterday, today and forever, distance is inappreci able and time is inconsiderable. Another lesson involved in the miracle is that the Saviour used different methods in dealing with different persons. He took one course with the centurion, Matt. 8:5, and with the nobleman he followed another. He had no invariable plan in dealing either with the body or the soul of man. To the proud and self-righteous Pharisee He said “ Ye must be born again.” To the young man wedded to his wealth He said “ Sell all thou hast and give to. the poor.” Chris
tian workers should vary their methods in dealing with inquirers since no two persons are saved in exactly the same way. That which would be effectual with one may be inef fectual with another. The wise physician makes a diagnosis before he prescribes. Christian biography is helpful and Christian testimonies are inspiring but there is always a danger that one who reads or hears may suppose there is something wrong in his own experience because it is not the same as that of another. The Saviour respects the individuality of each one. The only thing absolutely necessary is to let Christ do with us as He will and carry out His plan and purpose concerning us. Then His salvation will be our constant possession and His services our increasing joy.
V. 46. This was a town four or five miles northeast of Nazareth. It was here that Jesus performed His first mir acle, that of turning water into wine. Nathanael, one of His disciples, lived in Cana. (Jno. 21:2 j.-*Pract. Com.
Nobleman, courtier, king’s servant, or one connected with a royal household; such as Chuza (Lk. 8 :3 ).— J. F. & B. V. 47. “ Come down,”—-Capernaum being on the shore of the sea of Gali lee and Cana being on the hills, there
COMMENTS FROM THE COMMENTARIES V. V. Morgan
was a descent of about two thousand feet in passing from Cana to Capernaum.— Pract. Com. His extremity was his reason for urgency: the child was at death’s door; therefore his father begs that mercy’s door may open. When you, my friend, are taught by grace to pray aright, you will urge those facts which reveal your own danger and distress, and not those which would make you appear rich and right eous.— Spurgeon. V. 48. That is, miracles, an English word which means by derivation “wonderful things.’) Christ’s miracles were always “ signs” tokens and proofs of great truths, dis closures of God’s love and power; they were never mere “wonders,” surprising performances planned just to arouse admiration and astonishment.— Peloubet. Let us not wait for occurrences that startle, ere we give a welcome to the Light of men.— Rev. ■Morrison. V. 49. This T^as faith, but partial, and our Lord would perfect it. The man 'cannot believe the cure could be wrought without the Physician coming to the patient^^the thought of such a thing evidently never occurred to him. But Jesus will in a moment bring him up to this.— J. F. & B. The nobleman’s faith rested upon Christ’s works, He wanted it to rest upon His Word.— T. C. H. V. 50. He believed before he saw his son healed. He obeyed because he believed, going back to his home without Jesus; and as he obeyed £|nd want, healing cante.— Peloubet. He did not hurry back, for he was now sure that his son would recover. He might have reached home that night, for it was only one o’clock in the afternoon, but he quietly spent the night at some inn, and did not come in sight of Capernaum till twenty-four hours had passed. “He that believeth shall not be in haste.” (Isa. 28:16). — Sel. He saw no evidence that his son would recover, but he took Jesus at His word.-SPract. Com. V. 52. Everything had turned out just as Jesus said it would, and everything will turn out every time just as Jesus says it will. (cf. Acts 27:25; Joshua 23:14 Torrey. V. 53. The growth of this courtier’s faith is an interest ing and suggestive study. In v. 47 we see him believing in
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