Thursday, November 9, 2017

The Messiah and His Miracles (Continued)


The Significance of the Signs in John’s Gospel

The signs for the nation before His rejection included turning the water into wine, healing the ruler’s son who was at the point of death, the impotent man at the pool of Bethesda, and feeding a multitude of people.  These indicate that when Messiah came to them, the nation was a nation in captivity, without freedom and under a hard rule, not only that of Rome, but also that of the Sanhedrin.  

(i)                 They were without blessing and without joy, as in the first sign, they had no wine. 

(ii)              Nationally, they were on the point of death, as in the second sign. 

(iii)            The third sign reflects their impotence as a nation, an impotence that was the result of sin, especially that of their leaders.

(iv)             In consequence, the people were like sheep without a shepherd, which is the context of the fourth sign.

If they had trusted their Messiah,

(i)                 they would have had joy “up to the brim”, as at the wedding in Cana (John’s first sign).  

(ii)              they would have been restored from the point of death as with the nobleman’s son (John’s second sign)

(iii)            given a new start with a new purpose, as with the paralytic at the pool of Siloam (John’s third sign), and

(iv)             would have been fed (physically, intellectually and spiritually) by Jesus the Good Shepherd, as was the great crowd (John’s fourth sign).

However, the majority of the nation were categorised as “wicked”, “evil” and “adulterous”.  They believed neither the Scriptures nor their Messiah.  They followed the lead of the Sanhedrin and rejected the Messianic claims of Jesus.  Jesus would give them one last national sign, the sign of the prophet Jonah. The first element of sign of the prophet Jonah was the raising of Lazarus (the seventh significant miracle in John).  This Messianic attesting miracle was not a call to the nation to change their attitude to Him, but a practical exercise to demonstrate that nothing can melt the hard hearts of those who do not believe the Scriptures, not even someone rising from Hades. The obdurate unbelief of the Jews of Jerusalem, and the Sanhedrin in particular, was stripped bare for all to recognise.

The disciples, on the other hand, were a believing remnant, and saw His glory:

(i)                 At a wedding, in a context of love, when He brought joy by providing wine for the blessing of bride, groom and guests. (sign 1)

a.       It would be a joy, that for the disciples, would be complete and enduring: “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full”;[1]

b.      It would be a joy in a context of love: “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love”.[2].

(ii)              On the sea, when He walked on water and calmed the storm, signifying there was no tempest that would be able to engulf them (sign 5)

a.       His peace is effective in all situations; “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”[3]

(iii)            At the pool of Siloam, where He opened the eyes of a man born blind (sign 6) demonstrating that He is the Light of the world

a.       While they followed Him they would always walk in His light: “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.”[4]

(iv)             At a graveside, where He raised the dead (sign 7)

a.       He provides resurrection life: “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming”[5]

(v)               At the lakeside, where they dined on bread and fish (sign 8),

a.       In the context of the resurrection, they enjoyed fellowship: “What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.”[6]

For those who received Him as Messiah, He promised eternal joy, love, peace, light, life and fellowship.



[1] John 15.11
[2] John 15.9
[3] John 14.27
[4] John 12.46
[5] 1 Co 15:22,23
[6] 1 John 1.3