Chapter 4 Verse 39, And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.”  Examine who the Lord used to bring many of that city to belief.  His disciples were there with Him, but He sends them to buy food and chooses to use a harlot.   And as we survey the cast of characters in the Old and New Testament, even in the Lord's lineage, we can only conclude that God employs weakness to show forth His might!  God has chosen the weak you see... 

 

And so instead of hiding or denying our weaknesses, we need to learn to recognize them, share them and allow God the glory of even showing Himself to be strong, whether we are or not!

 

Paul, some would argue one of the strongest of the biblical characters, expressed in 1 Cor 2:3 that he “came to them in weakness and in fear and his speech was not with persuasive words of human wisdom...why?  So that by the demonstration of the Spirit and of the power of God, their faith may not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God!

 

He chose a ruddy shepherd boy to bring down mighty Goliath.  In selecting the mother of the Savior of the world he did not choose a princess but rather a peasant.  He chose an outcast brother sold into slavery to save Israel from famine.  There are many more to consider...Jacob “heel-catcher”, Rehab the harlot, Ruth the widow, Moses the slow of speech...and here the converted harlot, the outcast...

Someone once said, “Rather than posturing yourself as a self confident and invincible person, you ought to see yourself as a trophy of God’s grace. It’s the secret of power.”  God is pleased to use feeble messengers in order to accomplish great ends.  And to me that is comforting.  God's prerequisite for service is brokenness, not strength, might, ability, or power  and if embraced > all I need is to draw near to Him.

 

If you feel like you are weak, you are prime for service.  If you feel like you are not good enough, you are prime for service! 

 

I want to encourage you to not sit the bench or stand idly on the sidelines of this battle, because the battle rages...the lion and his minions roam and find many souls to devour...get in the battle, you who may be sheepish about correcting someone in love who is sinning, or you who may be slow to share the simplicity of your faith for fear of shame, step out in faith and watch God show Himself mighty.  Just like He did with this harlot woman as His disciples return with bread yet she returns with souls!

 

Verse 40, So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days.  And many more believed because of His own word.  This is the sure pattern of God calling His children to Himself.  The messenger goes out, shares the gospel (with passion) and the people are inspired to come to Jesus.  I pray for an inspiring faith!

Then they hear His word, they hear directly from the Lord, which is what happens each time the bible is read, taught, or shared and the inspiration and curiousity turn to conviction, belief and salvation!  And God gets the glory! 

 

And then they said to the woman, (Verse 42), “Now we believe not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”

 

Notice that there are no recorded miracles performed.  There are no signs or wonders given, simply the word and the result is sure and steadfast, many believed.

 

God's word is living, active, relevant, without error and it is complete...it's sharper than ANY two-edged sword and it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  (Hebrews 4:12).  As a church, collectively and individually, the method to be effective > and make a difference > is to grow in His word.  As a disciple of Christ, the pathway to peace, joy, love and truth, is to grow in His word.  Faith grows as the word expands in our hearts and lives.

 

And so they believed...and isn't it sweet that John records the people thanking the woman who had previously been the slop of their society...but now in Christ, she has become the pearl of the people. 

 

That night she probably was welcomed into someone's home for food and fellowship and probably for the  first time in her life, she experienced love, acceptance and security > and get this, don't miss this > it was all predicated, initiated and implemented by Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior.  His thoughts of peace and of a future and of a hope given so lovingly to his daughter!  A beautiful conclusion to this portion of scripture.

 

Verse 43, No after the two days He departed from there and went to Galilee.  For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country.  So back on the road again and they're on their way up to Galilee which is where Nazareth is...Jesus' hometown where He is not going to receive the same reception that He had here in Samaria > which was as the bible records for us that here, in Samaria, they heard Him and they believed. 

 

Notice it says here in verse 45, So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen (there it is, they had seen, it was not that they had heard Him but rather it was the signs and wonders) having seen all the things He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they also had gone to the feast. 

 

This is a reference to the Passover feast which John covered in Chapter 2 where Jesus overturned the tables in the temple and confronted the Jews openly...along with many other signs, wonders, works and miracles that we simply have no record of...

And so there were many Galileans in Jerusalem for the Passover feast, and they had witnessed the Lord and had returned home with the fantastic report of Jesus of Nazareth, of the signs and wonders He had performed there.  And so with inferior belief...belief based on emotion and sight, not faith and repentance...was presented to Jesus there in Galilee. And we'll see in a moment Jesus' reaction to this faith as He is not pleased.  Truly this fleshly faith does not honor God...

 

Verse 46, So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine.  And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum.  Capernaum is about 15-20 miles from Cana.

 

Verse 47, When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.

 

John tells us that this was a nobleman and the word in the Greek there actually suggests royalty...so he was most likely a man of Herrod's court yet notice, as powerful and wealthy as he was, his son was sick to the point of death.  There is no doubt that the best physicians had been brought in and the best treatments had been administered, but rich or poor, powerful or peasant, all are subject to the same sufferings...

 

We invest in our funds and nest in our homes and plan and pursue and save and think that our efforts are gain...what good is all that we have, own and save when life is a fleeting vapor?  I'm not saying don't invest or don't save, that's not what I'm saying at all.  Jesus Himself said while you shouldn't have left the lesser things undone you neglect what is important by focusing on them.  Truly there are weightier matters in life than money, goods, power and position.  And here, this nobleman...with all his money and power that he no doubt spent long days (first one in, last one out type days), brings him no aid or comfort as he watches his son die.

 

And so he had heard of this Jesus, how He heals...and get this, it turns out that his sons sickness and his own suffering brings him to seek out Jesus.  What an interesting occurrence.  I don't wish affliction on anyone...but if that affliction brings you to seek and find Jesus Christ then understand that affliction that we see maybe as a curse, is truly a blessing.

 

Affliction is one of God's medicines...and so if you are afflicted today, and you find yourself downtrodden and feeling forsaken, may I suggest that you run to the Lord in faith...believing His promise given in Jer 29:11...

 

Paul wrote to the Corinthians in 2 Cor 4:17 that his light affliction (thorn in the flesh, hatred by his own people, being forsaken by even his wife (he was a member of the Sanhedrin) > beaten, shipwrecked, naked, poor, without, he says is but for a moment, and works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.  And that is exactly what we see here with this nobleman...as his son's affliction and truly his affliction ultimately drives him to seek Jesus.

Verse 48, Then Jesus said to the him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.”  Remember the nobleman had implored Jesus to come down...again faith by sight...When it was the Centurian in Luke 7 who said Lord if you but speak a word, it shall be done. 

 

Without faith it is impossible to please God and faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.  Here this man demands to see...truly an inferior belief as the Lord would later say, “you believe because you have seen but I say to you, blessed are those that have not seen, yet believe.”  Why?

 

Because God is Spirit and is seeking those that will worship Him in Spirit and truth, not in flesh and sight proof.  God's word is truly all that is necessary for faith and faith in God's word is truly freeing.  I'm not just talking about believing, because when Jesus says if you abide in My word you are My disciples indeed, He does not mean if you read my word and agree, or if you read my word and believe Me...abide means to understand God's word through experience...and then you shall know the truth (not head knowledge, not academically, but rather by way of application) and the truth shall make you free. 

 

Now to abide in His word, you must first know His word.  To be His disciple, you must first know His word.  To know the truth, you must first know His word.  To be set free, you must first know His word. 

Philippians Chapter 1 teaches us a vital truth, that love and discernment abound with one's knowledge of the word.  Again the Greek word for knowledge used is not head knowledge but experiential knowledge, knowledge gained by application of the word of God. 

 

When you come across a Christian who is not very loving, it is indeed always because they lack a knowledge of God's word...when you come across a believer who is not approving those things that are right and disapproving those things that are unrighteous, it is indeed always because they lack a knowledge of God's word.  You see knowledge of God's word through application is precisely how you get to know the Author.

 

There is no power in memorization without application.  James would call that deception.  Pride.  Being puffed up...and so if you ever find yourself praying God help me be more loving, God help me to see that which you want me to see, God help me to walk in such a way that is pleasing to You, God help me to bear fruit unto righteousness, God help me to be serious and sincere in my walk...then here is your answer straight from the mouth of God, grow in His word.

 

Put away the distractions and trinkets that so easily capture our attention...spend time in the word and then apply God's word, His will and His ways into your words, your will and your ways...

 

Philippians 1:9-11 says, "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."  

 

Hope and joy and peace are available to you! Grow in His word.  Romans 15:13 says Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit!

 

And so Jesus said “you people must see to believe” as He addresses the nobleman with no doubt many around Him as He enters Galilee and He is not pleased.

 

Verse 49, The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” (He doesn't get it still) Jesus said to him, let me make myself clear to you and all around Me, Go your way, your son lives.”  So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him (and so he finally gets it and notice, his new strengthened faith, his belief simply in God's word, what did it produce?) the bible says > and he went his way.  True faith will always act...will always move you, change you, prompt action...

 

 

 

Verse 51, And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him saying, Your son lives!”  Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better.  And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.”  So the father knew that it was at that same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.”  And he himself believed (now through experience, through application of God's word) and hi whole household. 

 

John just slides that in...how in the world did his whole household believe...because this father shared with them God's word and how God had worked through His word...no doubt he shared in love, power, and a sound mind (discernment) and so he infected!

 

What an example for us of God's mysterious ways, His higher ways than ours...a young boy brought to the point of death in order that he, his father, and his whole house might be saved!

 

Verse 54, This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.  The first being the wedding at Cana there in Galilee where Jesus had also simply spoken His word and miracles happened.

 

God's word is miraculous.  Why o my soul am I so down-troddin'.  Why can I not seem to get a break...why can I not seem to connect, why am I alone, why o my soul am I so bitter?  Because a) you either don't know His word (through application) or you don't believe and you are still captain of your ship as it were...however a captain without direction is suicidal, or worse yet, if he or she has a crew, is even a murderer. 

 

And so walking by faith, understand what it means...its means to take God at His word, it means to trust in Him and follow His commandments > To walk any other way is unjust the bible says, it is unrighteous the bible says...and it is a way that surely leads to death.

 

It is time to walk by faith, it is time to grow...it is time to live just as this man's son lived by grace through faith!