Signs, Signs, Everywhere are Signs

By: Adam McClendon
www.newlineministries.com

John 6:28b-30, “Then they asked him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’ Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’ So they asked him, ‘What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do?’”

John’s Gospel is known as the book of signs, because of the variety of unique signs presented so that people might believe that Jesus is the Son of God and place their faith in him (John 2:11; 3:2; 4:48; 7:31; 20:31).

What’s interesting in this passage is that Jesus had just given two pretty amazing signs.  He just fed the crowd of over 5,000 people with a young boy’s meager 5-loaf-and-2-fish offering.  Then, right after that, he walked on water.  That’s pretty amazing.  And, yet, what do the people ask for?  They ask for another sign refusing to believe, to trust, to follow.

The Christian faith is not a blind faith.  Jesus has provided many signs during his time on earth, signs that are historically, and I believe accurately, captured in the Gospels as well as in other writings.  The greatest sign Jesus provided was his resurrection from death, which Jesus called the sign of the prophet Jonah (Matt 12:38-40). 

So, what is the point for us today?  Jesus has proven himself to us time and time again.  Jesus has demonstrated his love for us.  We can look back on our lives and see times when Jesus was present and real and his love was evident and yet, we still seek more signs.  Even when looking back, when our memories fail us, we have the ultimate sign of his love and forgiveness, which authenticate all that he did and said, in his resurrection.  But still, we ask for more.

Oh, how weak our faith often is in the middle of the swelling wave of circumstances.  We seek signs and ask questions that have long since been answered instead of charging ahead with confidence in the one who conquered death.

So, will we be like those who “even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him” (John 12:37)?  Or, will we surrender our hearts, our doubts, our fears to him and walk in faithful obedience in light of his love.

Jesus is calling us to action.  Will we act in faith or will we question and search for signs, signs that pale in comparison to that which he has already provided in the cross and the empty tomb?

Prayer:

God of all wonder, forgive me for the times in my life when I have doubted your love, questioned your commands, and sought confirmation before responding in obedience to that which I knew you were calling.  Please, strengthen my faith, forgive my unbelief, and use me for your glory.  Help the course of my life to be a beacon others can follow through the storm to lead them to greater faith in you!

 

www.newlineministries.com