The focus of this series, Walking with Jesus, is to look at the life of Jesus as presented in the Gospels. We're slowly and simply examining the life of the Lord, from His first movements to His last and it will be as though we were walking alongside Him. We are looking at how Jesus changed the heart values of those individuals who have committed to follow Him and how that applies to us today.

Pastor Don started us off with Jesus INCARNATED on Earth.
Ryan shared with us how Jesus PREPARED for Ministry.
Nick covered how Jesus was COMMISSIONED by the Father.
Jeff looked at how Jesus was TEMPTED in the Wilderness.
Aaron presented about how Jesus was RECOGNIZED as the Lamb of God.
Gary explained how Jesus CALLED His First Disciples.
Pastor Joel brought a unique perspective to how Jesus TURNED water into wine but also turned the disciples faith and their idea of ministry.
Nick shared a simple verse that conveys how Jesus JOURNEYED to Capernaum.
Jeff looked at how Jesus CLEANSED the Temple and the difference between conviction and preference.
Pastor Joel presented how Jesus was APPROACHED by Nicodemus.
Pastor Don showed how Jesus MINISTERED to the Samaritan Woman.
This week he's teaching on how Jesus HEALED the Nobleman's Son.

This sermon series is a chronological study of the first 30 years of Jesus' life and first 1 1/2 years of His ministry.
The Lord didn't live life randomly, but was highly intentional in where He went, who was with Him, and what He was teaching them.
Because of this, Jesus is changing the heart values of those individuals who have committed to follow Him. What we value determines our loyalties and dictates our lifestyles.

Last week we learned how Jesus used His encounter with the Samaritan's to deal with the self-pride and prejudice that kept His people from reaching out to others. By looking at what Jesus did with His disciples, we can evaluate our own lives and become more effective in ministering to others. Each week in this series we've looked at character qualities that God's Spirit wants to develop in our lives, just as He did in the lives of His followers.

Our text this morning is John 4:43-54 and is found in the story known as the HEALING of the Nobleman's Son.
Today's story communicates yet another quality that the Lord wants to build into our lives - compassion.
Exodus 34:6
Compassion in the Bible involves feeling deep sympathy and sorrow for others' suffering, leading to a desire to alleviate their pain. The attitude leads to action!

The story begins as Jesus wraps up His work in Sychar and continues His journey northward back to His home province of Galilee.
Luke 4:14-15 is a parallel passage that gives more information about this part of the trip.
His ministry as the Messiah reveals His purpose, the power in which He carried it out, and how His popularity was growing.

We read in John 4:44 that one of His teachings pointed out the fact that His reception in Galilee would be much different than in Samaria or Judea. In verse 45 we see that people accept Jesus as a miracle worker, but not the Messiah. There is no real faith or desire for forgiveness, just acceptance. (The showman is here, let's go see Him perform)

In verse 46a we see that Jesus returns to Cana in Galilee where He has turned the water into wine. Now we have two recorded miracles at this place and both involved faith on the part of the person making the request. Both were low-key and both resulted in conversions.

Up to this point Jesus and the boys have been busy. They've been traveling, talking, teaching, telling stories, and thinking about their next stops. Could be that they were exhausted, fatigued, felt like they were in a whirlwind, and just plain focused and on a mission. Can you relate? Have you ever been so swamped, engrossed, or occupied that you didn't see people, hear people, or want to be bothered by other people?
John 4:46b-47
Now this guy shows up after having heard about Jesus, but not really interested in anything else but his sick child. He's the picture of an earthly minded person.
In verse 48 Jesus reminds His followers and listeners they have the wrong priorities and the wrong outlook on life. Physical healing is only a short-term solution to an eternal problem.

Jesus could have turned away and continued on with His work, but He didn't. He paid attention to the man. Jesus was moved with compassion and responded in a way that helped the man, but more importantly, pointed the nobleman and his household toward God.
As we look at verses 50b-54, we see what can happen when we get involved in the lives of those near us who are dealing with the harshness of life. We can make a difference in their life now and for all eternity!
The key is that we can't be so focused on our life, our agenda, and our whims that we fail to see the people that God has placed around us.

When you look at the New Testament, you often read that Jesus was moved with compassion as He traveled through life. And in each case, He responded with some positive action.
On the back of your program (and in the picture below) there is a chart. Use this to guide your discussion now. Later in the week let it guide your thinking and conversation with your family, friends, your home group, and those you minister with.
Luke 6:36 [CEB]

This week:

Read and pray over John 4:43-54 until you can answer three questions:
a) What did God say? (The meaning of the passage in your own words)
b) What is God saying to you? (Specifically, what is God telling you to do?)
c) What will you say about this passage to someone? (Think of one person)