Signs: the Eight Miracles Pointing to Jesus as Messiah
Signs:
The Eight Miracles Pointing to Jesus as Messiah
Not all miracles are signs pointing to the deity of Jesus, but all signs are miracles. Signs communicate unique teachings in addition to their demonstration of power of God (“Thoughts on the Eight Signs of John’s Gospel”). John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, only records eight of the many miracles preformed by Jesus during his three year ministry on earth. John chose miracles that reveal Jesus as God in the flesh. This reflection of Jesus as God incarnate can be seen from a different angle in each of the recorded miraculous signs.
Turning Water to Wine (John 2:1-11):
This is the first sign that is recorded in the Gospel of John. Jesus is an invited guest at the wedding feast in Cana in the land of Galilee. The wine during this marriage feast has run out and at the request of His mother to render the situation, Jesus has six jars filled with water. The servants then drew some of the liquid out and presented it to the master of the banquet. Not realizing that it had once been water, the master of banquet praises the choice drink calling it the “best”. This miracle signifies that Jesus has the power to turn the ordinary into extraordinary. It is important to note that John does not record that Jesus spoke to the water or waved His hands over it in any way. Therefore, we are led to conclude that the water simply became what Jesus intended it to be, showing the miracle of His power over all creation. Only God could have the power to turn His creation of tasteless water into a masterpiece that surprised even the expert’s palate!
Healing of the Nobleman’s Son (John 4:46-54): Jesus, for His second miraculous sign, is once again in the land of Cana in Galilee. Here, He encounters a royal official whose son is extremely ill and is close to death. The official’s son is at his home in Capernaum, a distance of over 50 miles away. The official, upon hearing that Jesus was in Cana, seeks Jesus and begs Him for
The Eight Miracles Pointing to Jesus as Messiah
Not all miracles are signs pointing to the deity of Jesus, but all signs are miracles. Signs communicate unique teachings in addition to their demonstration of power of God (“Thoughts on the Eight Signs of John’s Gospel”). John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, only records eight of the many miracles preformed by Jesus during his three year ministry on earth. John chose miracles that reveal Jesus as God in the flesh. This reflection of Jesus as God incarnate can be seen from a different angle in each of the recorded miraculous signs.
Turning Water to Wine (John 2:1-11):
This is the first sign that is recorded in the Gospel of John. Jesus is an invited guest at the wedding feast in Cana in the land of Galilee. The wine during this marriage feast has run out and at the request of His mother to render the situation, Jesus has six jars filled with water. The servants then drew some of the liquid out and presented it to the master of the banquet. Not realizing that it had once been water, the master of banquet praises the choice drink calling it the “best”. This miracle signifies that Jesus has the power to turn the ordinary into extraordinary. It is important to note that John does not record that Jesus spoke to the water or waved His hands over it in any way. Therefore, we are led to conclude that the water simply became what Jesus intended it to be, showing the miracle of His power over all creation. Only God could have the power to turn His creation of tasteless water into a masterpiece that surprised even the expert’s palate!
Healing of the Nobleman’s Son (John 4:46-54): Jesus, for His second miraculous sign, is once again in the land of Cana in Galilee. Here, He encounters a royal official whose son is extremely ill and is close to death. The official’s son is at his home in Capernaum, a distance of over 50 miles away. The official, upon hearing that Jesus was in Cana, seeks Jesus and begs Him for
Cited: Towns, Elmer. The Gospel of John: Believe and Live. Chattanooga, Tennessee: AMG Publishers, 2000. Wilson, Neil S. and Taylor, Linda K. Tyndale Handbook of Bible Charts & Maps. Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publisher, Inc., 2001. StemPublishing.com. Anderson, Norman. 17 September 2008 The Nelson Study Bible: New King James Version Ronald B. Allen and H. Wayne House. Thomas Nelson Publisher Nashville, 1997