John 2:1-22
Dear RTB’ers,
It’s a strange question the Jews asked Jesus after His cleansing of the Temple, What sign do you show us for doing these things? (v. 18b) The NASB helps our understanding of their question, in that their interpretation includes the Jews asking about Jesus’ authority for doing these things. So, as to the Jews asking for a sign… Perhaps they had already heard of the miracle at Cana and wanted to see more? Maybe Jesus has performed some healings while He was at Capernaum? (John 2:12) It won’t be the last time that the Jews are seeking a sign. Here’s another request and Jesus’ reply to them about their sign-seeking: Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from You.” But He answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. (Matthew 12:38-39) Paul, the Apostle also commented on the Jews seeking signs: For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified… (I Corinthians 1:22-23a)
And us… Do we seek signs before we move on with some big or small decisions in our lives? How do we know when or how to move on? Carol and I have had to do some serious thinking (and praying) as we’ve sought to sell the farm and move to Lexington. I don’t think that we’ve asked at all for specific signs, but we have looked at past and current events in our lives that have pointed us in one direction or another, to the end that we are at peace with our move. I guess what I’m suggesting is that looking backward for “signs” is generally better than asking for signs before we would move forward. That is, asking why God has brought us to a decision point might be the better prayer than asking God to point out His new direction for us.
I hope to hear from some of you on this topic! Maybe even some of your personal stories…?
Blessings.
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