39 “And from that city many of the Samaritans believed on him because of the word of the woman, who testified, He told me all things that ever I did. So when the Samaritans came unto him, they besought him to abide with them; and 41 he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his word; and they said to the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy speaking: for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world.”
43 “And after the two days he went forth from thence into Galilee. For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honor in his own country. So when he came into Galilee, the Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they also went unto the feast.”
46 “He came therefore again unto Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea 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. Jesus therefore said unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will in nowise believe. The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. The man believed the word that Jesus spake unto him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, saying, that his son lived. So he inquired of them the hour when he began to amend. They said therefore unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth; and himself believed, and his whole house. This is again the second sign that Jesus did, having come out of Judea into Galilee.”
QUESTIONS.
How did the woman’s testimony affect the Samaritans? What was that testimony?
What did the Samaritans request Christ to do? How long did he stay?
What were the results of his preaching?
Upon what did they base their faith? What did they thus know?
To what country did Jesus then continue his journey?
To what did the experience of Jesus bear testimony?
How was he treated by the Galileans? Why?
To what city did Jesus go? What notable event had occurred there? What prominent man is now mentioned?
When he learned that Jesus was near at hand, what did he do? How critical was the case?
How did Jesus test his faith?
How did the man endure the test?
How did Jesus respond to his faith?
What evidence did the man give of the sincerity of his faith in the divinity of Jesus?
Whom did he meet on his way home? What news did they bring to him?
What inquiry did he make of them? What answer did he receive?
What two experiences were thus connected? What was the effect upon his family?
How many recorded miracles had Jesus now performed in Galilee?
NOTES.
1. When the Saviour’s presence is really desired, and he is “besought” to abide with us, he does so. See Luke 24:29. The woman brought her neighbors and friends to Christ, with the inquiry, “Is not this the Christ?” and after hearing him for themselves, they “believed because of his own word,” and their belief went beyond hers, just as Nathanael’s belief went beyond Philip’s. “Before, they had looked upon him as the great Teacher, Solver of problems, the Answerer of questions. Now they see that he is the ‘Saviour of the world.’” “Come into the very presence of Christ and hear him for yourselves. . . . Such spiritual contact is the life of the Christian life.”
2. The Samaritans believed, and then they knew. “Faith is simply the heart’s reception of the words of Christ. Belief of the truth is the knowledge of the truth.”
3. “The father thought the presence of Christ was necessary. . . . Jesus therefore demands a stronger faith; and in his presence that stronger faith which can trust his word is developed. . . . The faith he approves and delights in is a faith which does not require miracles as its foundation. . . . There was that in himself and in his talk which was its own best evidence.” See chapter 20:29.
4. The words of Christ to the ruler consist of a demand (“Go thy way”), and a statement of fact (“Thy son liveth”). The ruler permitted the command to become true in him (he went his way), and the servants met him with the testimony that the statement had become true in his son, repeating the very words of Jesus (“Thy son liveth”). By comparing notes they find that the experience and the statement were synchronous.
Suggestions for Further Study.
1. The miracle of this scripture is the third lesson of “life only in Christ,” and the means of apprehending it. To Nicodemus it is the new birth, and “whosoever believeth in him should . . . have everlasting life.” To the woman of Samaria it is “living water, springing up unto everlasting life.” To the ruler it is, “Thy son liveth,” and he “believed the word.” What classes are here represented? To which one do you belong?
2. See in this lesson two illustrations of the faith which pleases the Master: “Many more believed because of his own word,” and “the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken.” See Rom. 10:17.
