Commentary on the Gospel of John

                                  Chapter Four

                                                                                                                                      Verses 46-54

The nobleman believed that Jesus could heal his son who was at the point of death, but only because he believed that prophets could do miracles. Jesus objected to this man that he, like all Galileans, could only believe in his miracles, but they could not believe His gospel. The nobleman ignored Jesus' objection and simply pleaded with Jesus to heal his son. Jesus, being full of love and compassion, gave in to the man's plea and told him that He would heal his son. The man believed Jesus' word, and as he was going home, he met some of his servants who told him that his son had been healed in the same hour that Jesus said he would be healed. This man and his house apparently came to believe that Jesus had to be more than just a prophet because of this miracle, but God's Word provides no indication that this man and his house became saved by grace. The gospel usually provides clear indications whenever Jesus saved someone by His grace. Nicodemus demonstrated his salvation by grace when he tried to defend Jesus against false accusations and when he helped to bury Jesus' body. John 8:50-53; John 19:38-42. The woman at the well left her waterpot and went to witness to her city that she had found the Messiah whom she believed to be the Savior. John 4:28-29. The woman who came into the Pharisees' house and washed Jesus' feet with her tears and anointed Him with perfume demonstrated her great love for Him. Jesus did not heal her of anything, but He forgave her sins and told her she had been saved by her faith which could only mean she had been saved by His grace. Luke 7:36-50. The gospels indicate that Jesus did not save by His grace most of the people whom He healed. Everything that God does lasts forever which can only mean that everyone whom Jesus healed had to have been healed forever. This fact provides evidence that God must supply a lesser form of salvation for every living human not saved by His grace. Ecclesiastes 3:14; Psalm 111:7-8; Luke 20:38.