sunday sermon snippet 28 June
“[Jesus] went again to Cana of Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. There was a certain royal official whose son was ill at Capernaum.” (John 4:46)
This week’s posting of the Sunday Sermon Snippet comes from this past Sunday’s sermon on John 4:43-54. This bit of the story holds some strange statements, and fascinating twists and turns as Jesus moves from engaging with Gentiles in Samaria, to re-engaging with his own people in Cana of Galilee. As a way to enter in the story, I began the sermon imagining who the the royal official and his family may be, and what may have been rumbling around in Jesus’ heart and mind as he departed Samaria…
…and if you’d like to check out the whole sermon, just click here.
A Father’s Fear
It’s a bright, sunny day in Capernaum, and as Eleazar ben Nathan sits enjoying a light breakfast in the market, he’s reflecting on the goodness of his life. Being a royal official in the court of Herod Antipas certainly has its challenges — he’s a bit of a madman, after all. And fancies himself a King. But it comes with a whole host of perks — a good living, respect in the village, a comfortable home for he and his wife, Salome, access to the finer things, and connections to important people. It’s an easy life, a safe life, a good life, and looking out on the Sea of Galilee, its reality and ease brings a warm smile to his face.
And yes, with all these material blessings, the religious life of his people is a part of who he is as well — he makes sure to offer the sacrifices, and attend synagogue, and observe the feasts and festivals. But truth be told, he rests far more in all the things which his position surely provides than what his beliefs may bestow.
As the hustle and bustle of the early morning life of the village surrounds him, with mothers and their children making their way through the market to secure supplies for the day, his thoughts drift to his most valuable treasure, the son that Salome has provided for him — Joshua. Named after his favorite patriarch of his people, Joshua is his pride and joy. Which moves Eleazar to quickly finish his meal — because why not go home for a bit of morning play with him?
As he enters their estate, a servant immediately runs to him, concern on his face, “Eleazar, Joshua has taken ill. He’s in his room, in his bed, with Salome by his side….”
The next few days bring a worsening of Joshua’s illness. And all of Eleazar’s position and access — the best medicines, the court doctor sent by Herod himself — are of no help in the face of this suffering. And Eleazar has been stripped bare, left desperate. Evening approaches as he and Salome sit together at table, picking at their food, neither of them speaking, terrified of what may become of their boy. Just then, Malchus, the head servant, quietly steps in and clears his throat, gently gaining the attention of his master.
“Sir, I have news. Jesus of Nazareth is in Cana. I simply thought you should know.” And Malchus slowly backs out of the room.
Salome looks up from her uneaten meal into the eyes of her husband. “Jesus? The one who turned water into wine for an entire wedding feast. The one who performed all those signs during the festival in Jerusalem. Eleazar, remember all the conversations we had about him at court? The reports from those sent by the leaders to inquire of him, this one who could be the prophet? Who knows what he’s capable of. Eleazar, go. You must go to him. For Joshua. Go to Jesus.”
Within the hour Eleazar has lightly packed, and begins the 25 mile journey to Cana, and Jesus.
A Prophet’s Ponderings
As Jesus lays in bed, gazing at the night sky in the humble courtyard of a family of Sychar, he ponders all that has happened over the last couple of days in Samaria. What an amazing work of his Father, and the Holy Spirit! The Samaritans have been so receptive to his words of truth, and the harvest of souls has been remarkable. Bushels of men, women, boys, and girls, all believing in him as Messiah. All of them taking in the truth of who he is, and what he shall do, receiving rescue from the Savior of the World. His heart is full of joy, and his mind filled with praise and gratitude for his Father. His Father who has sent him to proclaim Good News of great joy for all people — Gentiles, and Jews.
Yes, Jews. My people, Jesus thinks. And he ponders the great difference between how his people have treated him, so different from the reception of the Samaritans. And it brings a sadness in him, even as he knows that this, too, is the plan of the Father.
Jesus knows that even though he had created the world, the world did not recognize him (Jn1:10). That though he had come to his own people, his own people did not receive him. (1:11) That if they would just believe in his name, they would become children of God, born to new life from above, born from God (1:12). And it was this response from his people which he had come up against time and again in these beginning moves of his ministry. They didn’t see him for who he was, didn’t understand the things he’d tried to tell them, misinterpreted the signs and wonders he had done among them — like water into wine, the clearing of his Father’s house, the power he displayed again and again throughout the festival in Jerusalem.
And instead of looking to the signs to point to him as their Messiah, they kept on just looking at the signs. Some had believed, sure, but he could not fully entrust himself to them, because he knew what was in their hearts (2:23-25). He knew that their belief wasn’t full and true belief. He knew it was the kind that was just looking for what they could get from him, and not him.
How different from the Samaritans! They believed! They believed without signs, and they believed based on his words, and they believed in him. What joy!
And yet…in the stillness of this night, as he looked at the dark sky, he sensed the work of the Spirit in his mind and heart, reminding him that he could not stay. He knew he had to keep going to his people, precisely because there would be no true honor for him in his home town (v44). The Father’s plan was his rejection, a rejection that he actually needed to grow more and more, to get so intense that it would cost him his life. For this is why he has come, to give his life as a ransom for many. This is why he must move on to Cana in Galilee….But wait… there’s something else…something else the Spirit wants him to know…a feeling, just like when he knew he had to go because of the woman he would meet at the well….what is it?….it’s a man. And he’s walking toward Cana. And there’s something wrong with his family…his wife? No, a child. Laying ill. A son. And meeting him will be to an occasion to show his people that belief isn’t always belief, and trusting in signs won’t always bring salvation. And so it is settled, in the morning, Jesus will leave.
If you’d like to check out the whole sermon, just click here.
