John
Lesson 6John 4:43 - John 5:47
In this lesson, we will observe Jesus in a third interview, or interchange; and this time it’s with a Roman. You will recall that we began our interview studies with Nicodemus, a learned and religious figure in Israel. Next, we looked at Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well; she was a Samaritan, an outcast, and someone despised by society. In this lesson, Jesus interacts with a nobleman, a ruler, in Galilee.
In the previous two lessons, the need to be born again was evidenced, and we learned that the good news, the gospel, is to be shared with everyone regardless of whom or what they are. We also learned that true worship is done in spirit and in truth—and not based solely on the trappings of a church or church service.
As we will see in this lesson, John again documents hard evidence that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, the Christ.
So let’s have a look at John 4:43 through John 5:47.
- When did the nobleman believe that Jesus could heal his son? When did he believe that Jesus would heal his son? When did he know for a fact that Jesus was the Christ?
- What three things does this story tell us about Jesus?
- What does this story tell us about ourselves and our faith?
- John 4:54 mentions that this healing was the second miracle. What was the first?
- Read John 5:1-16. When did the crippled man believe in Jesus?
- What did the crippled man do to thank Jesus once he was healed?
- What is the significance of this passage? Why would John have chosen this specific healing, since the man Jesus healed didn’t even believe that Jesus was the Messiah? (see John 5:16)
- Read John 5:39-47. What "scriptures" is Jesus referring to when he says that they speak of him? What would we call these scriptures today?
- How do we know for certain that Christ is referring to what today we call the Old Testament? (see John 5:46)
- What are some of the key ways in which the Old Testament "speaks" of Christ that specifically could be found in Moses’ writings?
So, in this lesson, we observe Jesus teaching us about faith and its power; and about his power to heal and help us, even when he is not physically present. We also find that the Old Testament is packed with prophecy and signs about Jesus, and how each of these—along with the witness of the Disciples and others—validates His claim that He indeed is the Messiah, our Savior, and the only way to God.
I pray that all of you will have a blessing-filled week, and that you won’t hesitate to tell others the Good News about Jesus.
Have a great week everyone, and thanks for studying with us.
In Christ,
Wes
[2018]