Sun,
Mar 2
1. DRAWING ATTENTION
a. After spending two days with the Samaritans, where did Jesus go—and who was drawn by this news? John 4:43–46.
“The news of Christ’s return to Cana soon spread throughout Galilee, bringing hope to the suffering and distressed. In Capernaum the tidings attracted the attention of a Jewish nobleman who was an officer in the king’s service.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 196.
b. Why did the officer go to see Jesus? John 4:47.
“A son of the officer was suffering from what seemed to be an incurable disease. Physicians had given him up to die; but when the father heard of Jesus, he determined to seek help from Him.”—Ibid., p. 197.
Mon,
Mar 3
2. AN INDICATION OF DOUBT
a. Describe how Christ revealed the inner agony of heart in the nobleman who sought Him to heal his son in Capernaum. John 4:48.
“The child was very low, and, it was feared, might not live till his return; yet the nobleman felt that he must present the case in person. He hoped that a father’s prayers might awaken the sympathy of the Great Physician.
“On reaching Cana he found a throng surrounding Jesus. With an anxious heart he pressed through to the Saviour’s presence. His faith faltered when he saw only a plainly dressed man, dusty and worn with travel. He doubted that this Person could do what he had come to ask of Him; yet he secured an interview with Jesus, told his errand, and besought the Saviour to accompany him to his home. But already his sorrow was known to Jesus. Before the officer had left his home, the Saviour had beheld his affliction.
“But He knew also that the father had, in his own mind, made conditions concerning his belief in Jesus. Unless his petition should be granted, he would not receive Him as the Messiah. . . .
“Notwithstanding all the evidence that Jesus was the Christ, the petitioner had determined to make his belief in Him conditional on the granting of his own request.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 197, 198.
b. When tempted to seek signs, what should we recall? Matthew 12:38, 39.
“Christ was pained that His own people, to whom the Sacred Oracles had been committed, should fail to hear the voice of God speaking to them in His Son.”—Ibid., p. 198.
“The people want a sign, as in the days of Christ. Then the Lord told them that no sign should be given them. The sign that should be manifest now and always is the working of the Holy Spirit upon the mind of the teacher, to make the Word as impressive as possible. The Word of God is not a dead, dry theory, but spirit and life. Satan would like nothing better than to call minds away from the Word, to look for and expect something outside of the Word to make them feel.”—Selected Messages, bk. 2, p. 95.
Tue,
Mar 4
3. CONTRASTING ATTITUDES
a. Explain the difference between the Jews and Samaritans in regard to their belief in Jesus. Mark 6:2–6; John 4:40–42.
“How eagerly the Pharisees sought to prove Christ a deceiver! How they watched His every word, seeking to misrepresent and misinterpret all His sayings! Pride and prejudice and passion closed every avenue of the soul against the testimony of the Son of God. When He plainly rebuked their iniquity and declared that their works proved them to be the children of Satan, they angrily flung back the accusation, saying, ‘Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?’ ”—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 70.
“The Saviour contrasted this questioning unbelief with the simple faith of the Samaritans, who asked for no miracle or sign. His word, the ever-present evidence of His divinity, had a convincing power that reached their hearts.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 198.
“Though [Jesus] was a Jew, He mingled freely with the Samaritans, setting at nought the Pharisaic customs of the Jews with regard to this despised people. He slept under their roofs, ate at their tables, and taught in their streets.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 19.
b. Describe the experience of many who have spoken present truth to God’s professed people throughout the ages. Jeremiah 20:8–11.
“All the arguments urged against Christ were founded in falsehood. So was it in the case of Stephen, and of Paul. But the weakest and most unreliable statements made on the wrong side had an influence, because there were so many whose hearts were unsanctified, who desired those statements to be true. Such are ever eager to fasten upon any supposed error or mistake in those who speak to them the unpalatable truth.
“It should not surprise us when evil conjectures are greedily seized upon as undoubted facts by those who have an appetite for falsehood. The opposers of Christ were again and again confounded and put to silence by the wisdom of His words; yet they still eagerly listened to every rumor, and found some pretext to ply Him again with opposing questions.”—Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 70, 71.
Wed,
Mar 5
4. A PLEA IN HUMILITY
a. When the nobleman’s faith took hold of Christ, how did he reiterate his plea? John 4:49.
“Like a flash of light, the Saviour’s words to the nobleman laid bare his heart. He saw that his motives in seeking Jesus were selfish. His vacillating faith appeared to him in its true character. In deep distress he realized that his doubt might cost the life of his son. He knew that he was in the presence of One who could read the thoughts, and to whom all things were possible. . . . His faith took hold upon Christ as did Jacob, when, wrestling with the Angel, he cried, ‘I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.’ Genesis 32:26.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 198.
b. What should we learn from what Jesus did instead of going to the nobleman’s home? John 4:50.
“Jesus had a greater gift to bestow. He desired, not only to heal the child, but to make the officer and his household sharers in the blessings of salvation, and to kindle a light in Capernaum, which was so soon to be the field of His own labors. But the nobleman must realize his need before he would desire the grace of Christ. This courtier represented many of his nation. They were interested in Jesus from selfish motives. They hoped to receive some special benefit through His power, and they staked their faith on the granting of this temporal favor; but they were ignorant as to their spiritual disease, and saw not their need of divine grace. . . .
“The Saviour cannot withdraw from the soul that clings to Him, pleading its great need. ‘Go thy way,’ He said; ‘thy son liveth.’ The nobleman left the Saviour’s presence with a peace and joy he had never known before. Not only did he believe that his son would be restored, but with strong confidence he trusted in Christ as the Redeemer.”—Ibid., pp. 198, 199.
“We all desire immediate and direct answers to our prayers, and are tempted to become discouraged when the answer is delayed or comes in an unlooked-for form. But God is too wise and good to answer our prayers always at just the time and in just the manner we desire. He will do more and better for us than to accomplish all our wishes. . . . These experiences that test faith are for our benefit.”—The Ministry of Healing, pp. 230, 231.
Thu,
Mar 6
5. CURE AND SALVATION
a. In what manner did Jesus heal the nobleman’s son? John 4:51–53. What reality does this call to mind? Ephesians 3:20, 21.
“At the very moment when the father’s faith grasped the assurance, ‘Thy son liveth,’ divine love touched the dying child.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 199.
“At the same hour the watchers beside the dying child in the home at Capernaum beheld a sudden and mysterious change. The shadow of death was lifted from the sufferer’s face. The flush of fever gave place to the soft glow of returning health. The dim eyes brightened with intelligence, and strength returned to the feeble, emaciated frame. No signs of his malady lingered about the child. His burning flesh had become soft and moist, and he sank into a quiet sleep. The fever had left him in the very heat of the day. The family were amazed, and great was the rejoicing.”—Ibid.
b. How does Jesus respond to anyone pleading for help? Matthew 11:28–30.
“The Saviour cannot withdraw from the soul that clings to Him, pleading its great need.”—Ibid., p. 198.
“Do you feel that because you are a sinner you cannot hope to receive blessing from God? Remember that Christ came into the world to save sinners. We have nothing to recommend us to God; the plea that we may urge now and ever is our utterly helpless condition, which makes His redeeming power a necessity. Renouncing all self-dependence, we may look to the cross of Calvary and say:
“ ‘In my hand no price I bring; Simply to Thy cross I cling.’ ”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 65.
Fri,
Mar 7,
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Why are prophets generally not well received in their own lands?
2. What words of the nobleman revealed his unbelief?
3. How did Christ react to the unbelief of the people?
4. Who displayed greater faith in Jesus—the Jews or the Gentiles?
5. What does Jesus promise to all who accept His invitation?