Jesus Heals the Nobleman's Son John 4:44-53

Jesus entered the city of Cana a second time. The first time he was there at a wedding he had turned water into wine. On this occasion, a nobleman (or we would say a man of wealth and authority) heard that Jesus was in town.

Now this nobleman was from the city of Capernaum, and had a son back home who was about to die. He had heard stories about Jesus and how he had healed many sick people and had done many miracles in the lives of the people of Israel. But he did not yet believe that Jesus was the Messiah and Savior of the world, whom Moses said would come.

Now let's take up the story in John 4:47-53:

47 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.

48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

In other words, Jesus said that unless he constantly proved that he was sent from God by doing something supernatural, Israel would not believe he was the Messiah (which means Christ or the anointed one). They would not believe by what he said, for faith comes by hearing. They would only believe by seeing, as many people are today.

49 The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.

The nobleman, ignoring the point that Jesus was making insisted that if he didn't come with him, his son would die.

But Jesus refused to go with the nobleman, instead he challenged him to believe without seeing:

50 Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. (bolded mine)

This is what Jesus was trying to get this man to do, believe in His words. And this is what he is attempting to get you to do, believe in his written words. When we believe in the words of Jesus, He will do miracles for us too! Now let's find out what happened after the man believed.

51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.

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. (1pm)

53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.

Let me explain. As the man was nearing home in Capernaum, his servants met him to give him the good news that his son's condition had turned around! He was not dead, as everyone expected but rather was doing better. The nobleman began to question about what time it was when his son began to feel better. And just as he suspected, it was the same time he was talking to Jesus, and Jesus had said to him "Your son lives!" (Paraphrased)

When he knew it was the same time, about 1pm the previous day that the fever left his son, was the same time Jesus had said "Your son lives", he and his entire family believed that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, and Savior of the world!

In your time of need, take Jesus at his word and you too will discover that He truly is the Son of God and Savior of the world!

Jesus Christ: The Forgiver of Sins Mark 2:10

From the time that Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, every human being has been born with the nature of sin.

Psalm 51:5 reveals that we were born in sin and shaped in iniquity (different kinds of sinfulness). 'Sin' is our nature of rebellion against God, which we all received from Adam our forefather.

Jesus Christ was sent to earth as God's Solution to our problem of sin. In Mark 2:10 Jesus said, "....the Son of man (meaning himself) hath power on earth to forgive sins,".

Some time ago there was a commercial on T.V. in which a man made the statement, "It may not be your fault, but it is your problem". That's the way sin is. It may be Adam and Eve's fault. But it sure is our problem. The fact is that we will still suffer everlasting punishment in hell and the lake of fire, if we die in our sins.

But because of God's great love for us, He sent us his Solution for sin. John 3:16 says,

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

The apostle Paul said in Romans 6:23 of the Bible, "for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Only Jesus Christ, the Son of God has the power to forgive sins. When he died on the Cross for the sins of the world, that act guaranteed you and me the opportunity to be forgiven. But we must have a repentant heart (be sorrowful for our sins) and ask for his forgiveness. The blood of Jesus has given us that right!

Salvation is a free gift. But we must ask in order to receive. Another scripture says "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved". If you will repent of your sins and call on him now to save you, he will! Some years ago I repented of my sins, asked his forgiveness and he saved me! He'll do the same for you if you will ask Him!

Remember, God's gift to you is eternal life through Christ Jesus The Lord!

Jesus Christ: The True Bread from Heaven! - John 6:28-33

Someone came to Jesus and asked him, "What shall we do that we might work the works of God? Or we would say, what do we have to do in order to please God?" John 6:28

And here was Jesus' answer: "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he sent." verse 29. Here is how we would say that today: What you need to do to please God is to believe the one that God sent to you! Jesus of course was referring to himself.

Then those Jews who were talking to Jesus said, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? John 6:30. In other words, they were asking Jesus what sign or miracle would he perform to prove to them that he had been sent from God like Moses.

Then they said unto Jesus, "Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat" (John 6:31), ; suggesting that Moses had done this great miracle by giving their Jewish ancestors "bread from heaven".

Jesus corrected them by saying in a word that it was not Moses that gave them bread from heaven to eat (It was God!). Then Jesus said, "but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven." verse 32.

Next Jesus made an astounding statement: "For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world". verse 33

Jesus of course spoke of himself as bread in a figurative sense, because bread gives life to the body when eaten. But Jesus gives eternal life to the spirit of man when believed upon! That's why Jesus said to them in verse 29, when they asked him what must they do to please God--believe on him (Jesus) whom he (God the Father) has sent.

If you want to please God, you must believe on Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sin. How do you do this? By believing the Gospel.

What is the Gospel? It is the 'Good News': That Jesus Christ is the Son of God; that he was sent from Heaven for the purpose of dying for our sins. And after paying for our sins on the Cross, he went to hell for us, and was resurrected the third day!

If you believe this, then ask him to forgive you of your sins and come into your heart, making you a son of God! He will!

Jesus is The Bread of Heaven which if a person eats, he or she will receive eternal life!

If you received Jesus Christ today, all Heaven rejoices with you! And I rejoice with you! E-mail me and I will help you to understand how to live for Him-- as we await his appearing!

Signs of Jesus' Return Matthew 24

Jesus Christ shall return to the earth to rule as King. What we are witnessing are the signs of the heavens and earth foretelling his soon return. In Matthew 24: 3 Jesus' disciples of that day asked him when would he return to the earth and what would be the sign of his coming again to the earth:

3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privatelly, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

If you will read Matthew 24 in its entirity you will see that all of the various types of disasters and corruption which we are presently experiencing are the signs Jesus spoke of that would pre-empt his return to earth. These signs are wide and varied in nature to include the recent beginning of world economic colapse, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, civil unrest, epidemics, moral decay, idolatry (the worship of other things instead of God) food shortages, violence and wars.

Jesus also foretold the rise of false christs and false prophets. These include government leaders, religious leaders, scientists, actors, singers and musicians, athletes, and positive thinking gurus who lead millions away from Christ to destruction, while they themselves sell the souls of men in exchange for a moment of power, riches and fame!

Multitudes are killing themselves out of fear and hoplessness because of the things that are coming upon the world. Suicide however is not he answer. Jesus Christ is!

No one can give you the hope that Jesus gives. Through the forgiveness of sins, which he paid for on The Cross with his life, Jesus offers new life for the here and now and a promise of Heaven beyond death! He says, "I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." John 11:25

Only the Son of God who came down from Heaven especially to die for the sins of mankind can offer life from the dead to all those who repent of their sins and call on Him for eternal life!

Call upon Him today. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins, and to come into your heart and you too will lose the fear of living.... and dying!

The Mary Question? Luke 11:27-28

One day while Jesus was teaching, a woman in the crowd yelled out a compliment to him about his mother Mary. Following is the account of this incident and Jesus' surprising response to the woman's compliment:

27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.
28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

So what the woman said in our way of speaking is this: "Blessed is the womb that birthed you, and the breasts that nursed you."

And here's what Jesus said in reply, "Yes, you're right Mary is blessed, but those who hear my words and do them are even more blessed than she!"

Why did he say such a thing? Well, let's find out!

Many today still honor Mary very highly as this woman did, for giving birth to the Savior of the world! And I agree that Mary is to be highly esteemed. For she was chosen by God to fulfill one of the most important assignments given to any person on earth. She brought the Savior of all mankind into the world to die for our sins! And we should highly esteem her for the importance of her task and for the sake of her obedience!

But of far greater importance, is what Jesus did himself! After Mary gave him birth, he took the sins of the world upon himself and died upon the Cross for all men! And when you hear and believe this message, you have a right to eternal life!

And that's what makes you more blessed than Mary's blessing for mothering Jesus. Because Mary was not saved because she gave birth and nursed Jesus, but because she also believed in him for the forgiveness of her sins!

Mary too had to receive forgiveness from her sins through faith in the shed blood of Jesus, the same as you and me!

Won't you believe that Jesus died on the Cross for you? If you do then pray to God and ask him to forgive you of your sins in Jesus' name. He will, no matter who you are or what you've done!

Ask him now!