As I continue in John and the theme 'MORE THAN ENOUGH' we come to the story of the 'King's man' with the dying son.
John 4:43-54
Jesus has just finished bringing the good news to the Samaritans. In fact, he has been on quite a journey since he turned the water to wine at the marriage feast in Cana. He told one of the religious elite that he would have to start over again and, then, turned and used a Samaritan woman living in sin to convert a whole town of people. He continually does what's not expected of him; breaking the rules.
Which brings us to the meeting with the 'Kings man'. This is the literal translation of the title this man carried. What he probably was is akin to an assistant or advisor to the king. Which King? Probably King Herod. But not the Herod you're thinking here. No, this King Herod was Herod Antipus Roman surrogate ruler of Galilee.
John 4:43-54
Jesus has just finished bringing the good news to the Samaritans. In fact, he has been on quite a journey since he turned the water to wine at the marriage feast in Cana. He told one of the religious elite that he would have to start over again and, then, turned and used a Samaritan woman living in sin to convert a whole town of people. He continually does what's not expected of him; breaking the rules.
Which brings us to the meeting with the 'Kings man'. This is the literal translation of the title this man carried. What he probably was is akin to an assistant or advisor to the king. Which King? Probably King Herod. But not the Herod you're thinking here. No, this King Herod was Herod Antipus Roman surrogate ruler of Galilee.
So, this man who was high in the court of Herod Anipus came to Jesus because his son was dying. Once again, Jesus is dealing with someone on the utter fringe of his society. First the wedding guests and hosts. Second, Nicodemus, the man who knew the Law of God better than anyone. And, thirdly, the Samaritan Woman at the Well. Now, finally, this man who worked for Rome 's puppet.
This man came to Jesus, no doubt, because of all the things he had heard. He obviously thought that if this Jesus would come to his son's side, he could heal him. What happened next astounded him. He had come all this way and debased himself by begging a Jew to help him. And after exchanging words, Jesus calmly tells him to go back to his son; he is healed.
Now a decision has to be made by this man. Every story he had heard about this man's healings probably involved him coming to the sick person and maybe even touching them. But here he was asked to believe something totally different. Jesus told him not just that the boy would 'get better'; He told him that boy 'WAS BETTER'.
What one translation says next is epic: And the 'King's man' took Jesus at his word'! Without question or complaint, he simply went back to his son. Of course, the rest of the story tells us that he was met half way back and told his son was fine. Not only that, but he was told that his son was healed at the precise moment that Jesus had said so.
This man came to Jesus, no doubt, because of all the things he had heard. He obviously thought that if this Jesus would come to his son's side, he could heal him. What happened next astounded him. He had come all this way and debased himself by begging a Jew to help him. And after exchanging words, Jesus calmly tells him to go back to his son; he is healed.
Now a decision has to be made by this man. Every story he had heard about this man's healings probably involved him coming to the sick person and maybe even touching them. But here he was asked to believe something totally different. Jesus told him not just that the boy would 'get better'; He told him that boy 'WAS BETTER'.
What one translation says next is epic: And the 'King's man' took Jesus at his word'! Without question or complaint, he simply went back to his son. Of course, the rest of the story tells us that he was met half way back and told his son was fine. Not only that, but he was told that his son was healed at the precise moment that Jesus had said so.
What does all of this have to do with the river Jordan or our theme, MORE THAN ENOUGH?
Well, number one, Jesus proved that he was more than our expectations. He exceeds, always, our limitations and perceptions about what he is and what he can do and how. The man didn't question Jesus's methods, but 'took him at his word.' Jesus proved that there were no magic words or motions to what he did. He never seemed to heal the same disease the same way.
But, secondly, the man didn't question or try and rationalize what Jesus was telling him. He simply believed.
Unlike Israel as they were about to exit the desert and enter the promised land. God had told them that the land was theirs already. He said he would go before them and fight for them. He did NOT say go and spy the land out. But that's what the tribes suggested; making like they were just looking for the easiest path in. What they really wanted to do was feed their own fears. And that it did. Ten out of twelve came back with a bad report and set most of the camp against the idea.
Only Caleb and Jacob returned with a positive report. Because they believed what God had told them. The land was theirs and it didn't matter how big the people were, God already told them he would fight for them.
Well, number one, Jesus proved that he was more than our expectations. He exceeds, always, our limitations and perceptions about what he is and what he can do and how. The man didn't question Jesus's methods, but 'took him at his word.' Jesus proved that there were no magic words or motions to what he did. He never seemed to heal the same disease the same way.
But, secondly, the man didn't question or try and rationalize what Jesus was telling him. He simply believed.
Unlike Israel as they were about to exit the desert and enter the promised land. God had told them that the land was theirs already. He said he would go before them and fight for them. He did NOT say go and spy the land out. But that's what the tribes suggested; making like they were just looking for the easiest path in. What they really wanted to do was feed their own fears. And that it did. Ten out of twelve came back with a bad report and set most of the camp against the idea.
Only Caleb and Jacob returned with a positive report. Because they believed what God had told them. The land was theirs and it didn't matter how big the people were, God already told them he would fight for them.