06-21-2026 A Noble Father
Text: John 4:46-53
And Jesus, no matter where we may be and what our circumstances may be, will always meet us wherever we are to help us through whatever we may be experiencing. Today is Father’s Day. As every father knows, being a father is a lifelong commitment that will often cause them to be at loss about what to do when it comes to their children. But fathers who are truly wise know where to go when their children need something that they can’t or don’t know how to provide. They turn to Jesus to get them through. When they do this, it doesn’t mean they’re weak, it shows how much they love their children.
On this Father’s Day we’re going to look at what one nobleman did when his son was sick. Our text is found in John 4:46-53 that says: “ (46) And so Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where He made the water wine [recall this was His first miracle]. 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. (48) Then said Jesus unto him, Except you see signs and wonders, you will not believe. (49) The nobleman said unto Him, Sir, come down ere my child die. (50) Jesus said unto him, Go you way; your son lives. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went on his way. (51) And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Your son lives. (52) Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him [this was 7 pm the day before]. (53) So, the father knew that it was at the same hour in the which Jesus said unto him, Your son lives; And himself believed, and his whole house.”
Here we have a father that served Herod Antipas, a ruler of Galilee under Rome. When he heard that Jesus had returned to Cana after having been in Galilee, it caught his attention. His son was critically sick, so he left Capernaum and headed for Cana in search of Jesus. This father knew his own power wasn’t enough to help his son. Despite his title and wealth, his son was dying and his political and financial clout were not enough to save his child’s life. When he found Jesus, the nobleman invited Him to his house. This invitation seemed to be his only hope. We can only imagine how desperate he must have pleaded with Jesus to save his son. What we do know is that this nobleman didn’t know two things about Jesus. He didn’t know that distance wasn’t the issue or that the word of Jesus was enough to make something happen. But he soon learned about the power of the word of our Lord.
We see in verse 50 that Jesus told him to Go your way, your son lives. This father believed what Jesus said and in doing so, learned a valuable lesson. He learned that words from Jesus were enough to answer his need. Every step this father took in the twenty mile journey back to Capernaum was a step of faith. And this father’s faith was rewarded. Before he reached his home, his servants met him and confirmed that his son had been healed in the seventh hour - the moment Jesus announced it.
This royal official had walked 20 miles to see Jesus and when he found him, he addressed him as ‘Sir’ even though he had legal authority over Jesus. This miracle was more than a favor to one official. It was a sign to all the people to urge us toward faith in Jesus. The father that came to Jesus had faith that Jesus could do what he claimed. He believed, then he saw the miracle happen. Not only did he believe Jesus could heal his son, but he also obeyed Jesus by returning home, demonstrating his faith.
But just saying we believe that Jesus can take care of our problems isn’t enough. Notice how this father’s faith grew. First, he believed enough to ask Jesus to heal his son. Second, he believed Jesus’ assurance that his son would live, and he acted on it. And third, he and his whole household believed in Jesus. For us today, each time we use our faith, it will grow.
Fathers, take the lessons from this passage and use them in your lives as you care for and nurture your children – even though they have already grown into adults. Whatever problem or issue you may have, remember it’s never too big for Jesus to help you overcome it. Remember that trying to fix things concerning your children on your own isn’t a display of manliness or a sign of strength. It’s a sign of the weakness of your faith. Be strong enough to put your ego and manliness aside and instead put your faith in the One that can truly help you through anything. Coming to Jesus for help with children is the noblest thing a father can do. Live your faith everyday so that your children will see Jesus through you. This is the most valuable lesson you can teach them.
The truth is, everyone of us need to live and act as though Jesus will help us. When we pray about a need or problem, we’re to do so believing Jesus will answer our prayers. The miracles Jesus did while He walked this earth weren’t illusions. Even though the noble father’s son was twenty miles away, he was healed the moment Jesus spoke the words. Just as Jesus mastered physical elements to create wine from water, He can and will overcome space. Distance isn’t a problem for Him because our Lord has mastery not only over disease but also over time and space. We can never put so much distance between ourselves and Jesus that we are beyond His reach. Remember this: Jesus never leaves us. It’s us who pull away from Him and often do it when we need Him the most.
Finally, I want to leave you with this: whenever you pray, always end your prayers with “…in Jesus’ name, Amen.” Why? Because the Bible tells us Colossians 3:17 that whatever we say or do we are to do it in the name of Jesus so that we can give thanks to God through Him.
Until we meet again, may God bless you and keep you, may He shine His light on you, show you grace, and give you peace in all the days ahead.