Supernatural Stories for the Summer — Series
A Miracle from a Distance
Pastor Brent Snook · June 7, 2026 · 10:30 AM Service
Text: John 4:45–54
“Serving Jesus with doubt is like driving with the parking brake on.”
If there is one thing that would change our lives, it is stronger faith. Today’s miracle is a perfect example of John’s stated purpose for recording the signs of Jesus:
“These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” — John 20:30–31
One man — a nobleman with wealth, power, and influence — was compelled to make a 20-mile journey to find Jesus. Not out of curiosity, but out of desperation. His son was near death.
I. THE CONDITION OF THE SON — v. 46
A. The Status of the Man Who Came to Jesus
This nobleman was an officer in the King’s Court — a man of great wealth and influence in high places. He had prestige, power, and every perk that came with it. But he had a problem that none of those benefits could solve.
B. The Sorrow of the Man Who Came to Jesus — v. 46
His son was sick and near death. For the first time in this officer’s life, he realized how little money really means. Money can keep poverty from your door — but it cannot keep problems out of your life.
II. THE CONVERSATION WITH THE SAVIOR — vv. 47–50
Many a person has been brought to Jesus because of the needs of a child. Some people don’t get interested in church, the Bible, or Jesus until there is a problem. This man’s problem brought him to Jesus — and that is a very smart thing: to take your problems to the One who can solve them.
A. The Plea from the Man — vv. 47–49
1. His Plea Was Focused — vv. 47, 49
It was a dying son that brought him to a divine Savior. The word “besought” means he begged and kept on begging. He went himself — not sending a servant — and poured his heart out to the Lord. Do you realize that if this man had not known grief, he may never have known grace? Anything that drives you to Jesus is a blessing — whether it be cancer, the loss of a job, or the desertion of a spouse.
2. His Plea Was Flawed
There were several obstacles to this man’s faith:
Obstacle #1 — Secondhand Faith
He had heard about Jesus — seen the water turned to wine — and thought, “Maybe He can heal my son.” But secondhand faith is not strong faith. You cannot go to heaven on your mother’s faith, your pastor’s faith, or anybody else’s faith.
Obstacle #2 — Demanding Faith
“Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.” — v. 48. This is what many people have wanted throughout history: “Give me a sign.” Even at the cross they cried, “Let him come down and we will believe.” When Jesus fed the 5,000, the crowds celebrated — but when He spoke of the cost of discipleship, they walked away.
Obstacle #3 — Strong-Willed Faith
The nobleman was accustomed to giving orders. He told Jesus what to do, how to do it, and when to do it. The man said: “Come!” Jesus said: “Go.” Strong faith waits upon God, listens to God, and acts on what God says — it does not dictate to God. Distance makes no difference with Jesus. Do you have children far away with a real problem? Distance is no problem for Him.
B. The Promise from the Messiah — v. 50
Jesus said, in effect: “I won’t give you my presence — but I will give you my promise: your son is healed.” If the Word of God is not good enough for you, the works of God won’t be good enough either.
Now faith took hold of this nobleman — in three steps:
1. He heard the Word — “Go thy way, thy son liveth”
2. He believed the Word — “The man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him”
3. He obeyed the Word — “He went” — no longer pleading, but believing. He was 20 miles from home and simply took Jesus at His word.
III. THE CONFIRMATION OF THE SERVANT — vv. 51–53
A. Assurance of the Father
His servants came to meet him with great news — the boy was healed at the exact hour Jesus had spoken. Notice the difference between verse 50 and verse 53:
• In v. 50 — he had a satisfied faith: he believed in the promise of Jesus
• In v. 53 — he had a saving faith: he believed in the Person of Jesus
• First he believed in the sign — now he believed in the Savior
B. Acceptance of the Family — v. 53b
“…and his whole house.” Picture the scene:
• The servants run out to tell him about the miracle — he says: “Let me tell you about the Man who performed it.”
• His wife meets him on the porch — he says: “Let me tell you about the Man who performed the miracle.”
• The boy runs out of his room into his daddy’s arms — “Daddy, I’m a walking miracle!” — and the father says: “Son, let me tell you about the Man who performed the miracle.”
— The Great Physician —
“Doc — as long as I have a tongue in my mouth, there won’t be anybody who will ever forget what you have done for me.”
Friend — the Great Physician who can heal a body can also save a soul. Distance is no obstacle. No situation is beyond His reach. Take Him at His word — hear it, believe it, and act on it.