Sunday Morning Bible Study

November 29, 2009

Introduction

Do people see Jesus? Is the gospel preached? Does it speak to the broken hearted? Does it build up the church? Milk – Meat – Manna Preach for a decision

We’ve followed Jesus on His trip from the southern region of Judea towards the northern region of Galilee.  We’ve seen how Jesus went out of His way to meet with a person most Jewish people would avoid, a Samaritan woman. (Play Samaritans Video Clip)

We now pick up the story after Jesus’ stay with the Samaritans.

:43-45 On to Galilee

:43  Now after the two days He departed from there and went to Galilee.

(Play map video of Sychar to Cana).  Jesus will travel from the village of Sychar to the town of Cana, about 36 miles to the north.

:44 For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country.

:44 a prophet has no honor

The other gospel writers tell us that Jesus said this when He was in Nazareth, His hometown (Mark 6:4).  We know that Jesus is heading toward Cana, just a few miles from Nazareth.

(Mark 6:4 NKJV)  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house."

(see also Matt. 13:57; Luke 4:24)

Could it be that Jesus is purposely going to the area of Galilee where He gets the least respect?

Don’t forget about the incident with John the Baptist.  Jesus and His disciples had been in the southern part of the country and had been gaining more popularity than John the Baptist.

Some of the people were trying to make a big deal over the fact that John’s “church” wasn’t as big as Jesus’ “church”.  Yet John the Baptist wasn’t upset because his whole purpose in life was to get people to follow Jesus.

(John 3:30 NKJV)  "He must increase, but I must decrease.

Jesus handled the controversy by pulling out of the “contest”.

(John 4:1-3 NKJV)  Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John {2} (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), {3} He left Judea and departed again to Galilee.

And now Jesus finishes His journey to Galilee, the place where He gets no respect.

Lesson

Aiming toward humility

This doesn’t make sense.  Why would Jesus be going to Galilee if that’s where He “got no respect”?

It was sister Aretha (Franklin) who taught us how to spell “r-e-s-p-e-c-t”. (Play Aretha clip)

But sometimes we feel more like Rodney Dangerfield because we “get no respect”. (Play Dangerfield clip)

Don’t get me wrong – we need to learn to love and respect each other.

These are two incredibly important components to any relationship, especially marriage.

But “disrespect” can actually have its purpose in our lives.

Pride will cause us problems.

(Pro 16:18 Msg) First pride, then the crash—the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.

Nebuchadnezzar

Things had gone well for ol’ Neb.  He was king of the world.

He had a disturbing dream about a tree that would be chopped down, a warning about his pride.  But he ignored the warning, and one day as he was walking around his palace…

(Dan 4:30 NKJV)  The king spoke, saying, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?"

At that point Neb’s dream came true, and he found himself being humbled and eating grass like a cow.  You could say he had a “mooo-ving” experience.  For seven years Neb lived like a cow.

(Dan 4:34 NKJV)  And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom is from generation to generation.

Neb needed to learn that there is a God who is much bigger than he was.  Nebuchadnezzar might have been the most powerful king in his day, but he needed to know that there is one who is the “King of Kings and Lord of Lords”.

Belshazzar was Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson.

He grew up hearing the stories of how grandpa had lost his mind for a time.

He most likely heard from Nebuchadnezzar himself about the importance of learning to be humble before God.

Yet Belshazzar ignored the lessons that his grandfather had learned about pride, and Belshazzar’s pride was his downfall.

When Belshazzar was surrounded by enemy armies, his pride led him to party all night, and he ignored the “handwriting on the wall”.

Sometimes God will allow us to experience times of success and prosperity.

For Jesus, He was beginning to attract bigger crowds than John the Baptist.

Yet it’s in those times when it can be healthy to go places where you are reminded that you are not the answer to the world’s problems.

For Jesus it seemed to involve “going home”, where a prophet didn’t receive honor.

A man might experience great success at work, but when he gets home he’s the one his wife asks to take out the trash.

A gal might be well respected at work or among her friends, but that doesn’t mean she’s beyond changing the diaper or wiping the runny nose.

For some of you, Thanksgiving was the thing you needed, where your in-laws aren’t as impressed with you as much as you wish they were.

If I read this passage right, Jesus set His course for the place of least respect.

Learn to cultivate humility

Humility is the thing that invites God to pour out His grace on your life.

(1 Pet 5:5 NKJV)  Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

:45 So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they also had gone to the feast.

The odd thing, instead of rejecting Jesus, He gets a warm reception!

Jesus and His disciples weren’t the only Galileans who had been in Jerusalem.

The other Galileans saw what Jesus had done in Jerusalem, and they were interested in having Jesus around.

They are open to Jesus because of the things He had done while in Jerusalem.

:46-54 The Nobleman’s Son

: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.

:46 nobleman – basilikos – of or belong to a king, kingly, royal, regal

It is probably that he was an official connected to Herod Antipas, the man who would execute John the Baptist.

:46 Cana – located 3 ½ miles north of Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown.

It was the hometown of one of Jesus’ disciples, Nathanael.

It was where Jesus did His first miracle, turning water into wine (John 2).

:46 Capernaum – the city where Jesus spent most of His time.

The distance between Cana and Capernaum is about 17 miles.

Play Map Video “Cana to Capernaum”

It was located on the coast of the Sea of Galilee.  and was at the intersection of key trade routes.

: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.

:47 to come down – (play Capernaum elevation clip) Cana is up in the hills about 1,000 feet above sea level.  Capernaum is down along the lake, 600 feet below sea level.

:47 he heard – This fellow knew about Jesus.  Perhaps he had just heard the stories of what Jesus could do.  Perhaps he was even around when Jesus had performed miracles.

He now hears that this miracle working man is back in Galilee.

And his own son is at death’s door.

:47 implored – erotao – to ask; to request, entreat, beg

This fellow begs Jesus to do two things –

1. He wants Jesus to come back with him to Capernaum.

2. He wants Jesus to heal his son.

:48 Then Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe."

:48  Unless you people – Jesus is rebuking this man.

The man’s problem is not in asking Jesus to help, but demanding that it be done his way, by having Jesus come to Capernaum to do this.

:48 signs – semeion – a sign, mark, token

:48 wonders – teras – a prodigy, portent; miracle: performed by any one

This issue of signs and believing was something that Jews (and some of us as well) have trouble with:

(1 Cor 1:22 NKJV)  For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;

Jesus seems to be of the opinion at times that a person who is looking for miracles has problems:

(Mat 12:38-40 NKJV)  Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from You." {39} But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. {40} "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

If you are looking for miracles, look no further than Jesus dying on the cross and being raised three days later.  That’s enough.

Jesus isn’t looking for people who say, “Show me and I’ll believe”

Instead, He would say, “Believe, and I’ll show you”.

The ironic thing is that another man from Capernaum will ask for Jesus help, but he will have it right:

(Mat 8:5-10 NKJV)  Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, {6} saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented." {7} And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him." {8} The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. {9} "For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." {10} When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!

:49 The nobleman said to Him, "Sir, come down before my child dies!"

:49 Sir – kurios – he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord

Even though the man seems to be still demanding that Jesus come to Capernaum, he does acknowledge that Jesus is “Lord”, He can do whatever He wants.

:50 Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your son lives." So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.

There are some things in this story that can help us understand the things important in getting our prayers answered.

Lesson

Prayer that’s answered

1. He believed the word

His belief wasn’t just in “belief”.

Some people give you the impression that as long as you have “faith” then God has to do whatever you ask.

Jesus would have none of that.

The nobleman’s belief was in what Jesus said.

God is looking for men and women who will trust Him.

(Heb 11:6 NKJV)  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

(Psa 119:42 NKJV)  So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word.

Jesus said the son was healed.  The nobleman didn’t ask Jesus to come anyway.

2. He gave up his demands

He didn’t give up on his son being healed.

He gave up his idea of how it ought to be done.  He gave up requiring Jesus to come to Capernaum.

He was willing to let Jesus be “Lord”.

In the end, he got what he really wanted, but just not in the way he had been demanding.

Jesus prayed in the garden, “not my will, but Thine be done”.

What if God wants to answer the heart of your prayers, but just not the way you think He should?

It may be that some of the things I’m asking for are not for the best.

Sometimes my prayers need to change over time.

3. He obeyed Jesus

Jesus said to go home, and that’s what he did.

He didn’t ask Jesus to come with him.

He just did what Jesus asked.

People will see how much you believe by how much you obey.

(James 2:18 NLT)  Now someone may argue, "Some people have faith; others have good deeds." I say, "I can't see your faith if you don't have good deeds, but I will show you my faith through my good deeds."

Sometimes all we can do is focus on what we know.

We don’t know the future.

But we know what we should do.

I don’t know how God will answer my prayer for my loved one.

But I do know how God wants me to live.

:51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, "Your son lives!"

:52 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."

:52 seventh hour – In Roman time this could be 7:00am or 7:00pm, in Jewish time this would be 1:00pm.

:53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, "Your son lives." And he himself believed, and his whole household.

Keep in mind that Cana and Capernaum are about 17 miles apart.

Apparently the family saw that the boy was getting better.  The next morning they sent the servants to go and track down the father and give him the good news.

Meanwhile in Cana, when the father is told by Jesus that his son would be better, he spends the night in Cana, and then heads out the next morning for Capernaum.

When the two parties meet on the road, they compare notes and realize that it was at the same time that Jesus said the son would live that the son was actually healed.

:54 This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.

:48 signs – semeion – a sign, mark, token

This is the same word used back in verse 48 when Jesus rebuked the man for looking for a sign.

This is one of the key words in the gospel of John.

Joh 2:11  This beginning of signs <4592> Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

Joh 2:18  So the Jews answered and said to Him, "What sign <4592> do You show to us, since You do these things?"

Joh 2:23  Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs <4592> which He did.

Joh 3:2  This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs <4592> that You do unless God is with him."

Joh 4:48  Then Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs <4592> and wonders, you will by no means believe."

Joh 4:54  This again is the second sign <4592> Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.

Joh 6:2  Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs <4592> which He performed on those who were diseased.

Joh 6:14  Then those men, when they had seen the sign <4592> that Jesus did, said, "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world."

Joh 6:26  Jesus answered them and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs <4592>, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.

Joh 6:30  Therefore they said to Him, "What sign <4592> will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do?

Joh 7:31  And many of the people believed in Him, and said, "When the Christ comes, will He do more signs <4592> than these which this Man has done?"

Joh 9:16  Therefore some of the Pharisees said, "This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath." Others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs <4592>?" And there was a division among them.

Joh 10:41  Then many came to Him and said, "John performed no sign <4592>, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true."

Joh 11:47  Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, "What shall we do? For this Man works many signs <4592>.

Joh 12:18  For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign <4592>.

Joh 12:37  But although He had done so many signs <4592> before them, they did not believe in Him,

Joh 20:30  And truly Jesus did many other signs <4592> in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book;

Jesus challenged the nobleman because of his demand for a sign, but there are times when God does oblige and allow signs to encourage people to believe.

John will build his gospel around several of the signs that Jesus performed, in hopes that his readers would come to believe.

(John 20:30-31 NKJV)  And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; {31} but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

The first miracle that John recorded was when Jesus turned the water into wine.

It showed us how gracious and giving Jesus was.

It showed us how joyous it is to know Jesus.

The second miracle shows us:

Jesus is Lord (or, Sir)

Jesus is a healer

Jesus responds to perseverance in prayer.

Jesus is so powerful, He isn’t limited by location.

Are you ready to believe in Him?

Lesson

Pray

Sometimes we have the privilege of praying with someone and right then and there in front of your eyes God does a work.

But sometimes prayer is something that you do quietly, long distance, and you don’t always see the result immediately, if at all.

If we’re not careful, we can quit too early and just give up, thinking that it’s not doing anything.

Illustration:

A woman telephoned the manager of a large opera house and told him she had lost a valuable diamond pin the night before at the concert. The man asked her to hold the line.  A search was made and the brooch was found; but when he got back to the phone, the woman had hung up. He waited for her to call again, and even put a notice in the paper, but he heard nothing further. 

And sometimes, when we’ve received our answer, we almost don’t want to believe that it really was our prayers.

Illustration:

The story is told of a small town in which there were no liquor stores.  Eventually, however, a nightclub was built right on Main Street.  Members of one of the churches in the area were so disturbed that they conducted several all night prayer meetings, and asked the Lord to burn down that den of iniquity. Lightning struck the tavern a short time later, and it was completely destroyed by fire.  The owner, knowing how the church people had prayed, sued them for the damages. His attorney claimed that their prayers had caused the loss. The congregation, on the other hand, hired a lawyer and fought the charges.  After much deliberation the judge declared, “It’s the opinion of the court that wherever the guilt may lie, the tavern keeper is the one who really believes in prayer while the church members do not!”

Illustration

I went through a season a few months ago, feeling overwhelmed and thinking that I needed to take a bit of a break in my daily prayer discipline.  I didn’t stop praying completely, but just dropped a few names off of my daily prayer list.

I was thinking at the time that I needed to be careful of thinking that I alone was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders.  I’m still not sure that’s not a bad thing to avoid.

But I’ve learned some freaky lessons over the last month.

One of the persons I had been praying for hadn’t been to church in a couple of months.  I started praying again for them, and last week they were in church.

One of the couples that I had stopped praying for started going through a rough patch.  I decided to add them back on to my prayer list.  The next day I get a call from one of the persons and had a chance to talk and encourage them. 

A week later the entire scenario actually played itself out with a second couple, right down to the phone call.

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not some super duper prayer warrior. 

And if bad things happen in your life, please don’t blame me for not praying.

But I think God is trying to impress me with the fact that even my puny little insignificant prayers are important.  Perhaps they accomplish more than I realize.

We need to pray.

God answers prayer.