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Monday, March 31, 2003

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Isaiah 65:17-21
Psalm 30
John 4:43-54

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what's your sign?

"This was the second sign that Jesus performed." —John 4:54

In John's gospel, seven signs (miracles) are recorded "to help you believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, so that through this faith you may have life in His name" (Jn 20:31). These signs, worked by Jesus, are:

  1. changing water into wine at a wedding (Jn 2:1-12),
  2. a remote healing of a royal official's son (Jn 4:46-54),
  3. curing a man who was ill for thirty-eight years (Jn 5:1ff),
  4. multiplying the loaves and fishes (Jn 6:1-14),
  5. walking on the water (Jn 6:19),
  6. giving sight to the man born blind (Jn 9:1ff), and
  7. raising Lazarus from the dead (Jn 11:1ff).

After Jesus' first sign, "His disciples began to believe in Him" (Jn 2:11, RNAB). Then, "many began to believe in His name when they saw the signs He was doing" (Jn 2:23, RNAB). However, Jesus recognized an innate problem with working signs: our sinful human nature. He observed: "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you do not believe" (Jn 4:48). Additionally, people either looked for more and more signs (Jn 6:30) or misinterpreted the signs because they were not seeking the truth (Jn 9:16). The end result was: "Despite His many signs performed in their presence, they refused to believe in Him" (Jn 12:37).

So Jesus gave one final sign: the sign of the cross. Jesus, God Himself, set aside His power (Jn 18:6, 11), stretched out His arms, was nailed to a cross, suffered in agony, and died to atone for our sins. He rose from the dead in power and majesty, and gave us the Holy Spirit (Jn 20:22). This sign had power. This sign broke through the hard hearts. "Lift high the cross!"

Prayer:  "My Lord and my God!" (Jn 20:28)

Promise:  "The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind." —Is 65:17

Praise:  Sarah asked Jesus to take away her desire to smoke. He did so instantly, and she hasn't smoked for over ten years.

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by one of our editors.)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, August 1, 2002


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 7, 2002