June 16, 2020 -- John 2:18 -- The Only Sign We'll Ever Need
/So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
John 2:18 English Standard Version
You can hear the wheedling of a child, can’t you? The Jews say to Jesus, “Just show us a sign”. Hmm. The Gospel of John opens with the fact that Jesus is the co-creator with the Father. Is that enough of a sign? We recall from the Gospel of Matthew when Magi came to worship Jesus a search was made of Scripture and it was determined that the child would be born in Bethlehem. And this was proven true. Is that enough of a sign? John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the Messiah and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). What sign would be enough? Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding feast of Cana. Is that sign enough?
Do you see the problem. What sign would ever be enough? Even when Jesus performed a sign, proving He is the emissary sent from the Father, proving He is the Desired of All Nations—the Jews who have a short memory, immediately ask for another sign.
For the moment a sign is wonderful. People applaud. But a day later, or perhaps a week later, the question lingers, did I see that right? Sure, he did a sign last week, but can He perform a sign today? Our emotions are fickle. Our eyes are easily impressed but our imagination and our worries equally easily overwhelm us and we start looking for another sign instead of fully trusting Him.
The sign that stands true through all history is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. His body is the temple that He spoke of. His rising from the dead is the proof He is the Son of God and the Son of Man. His rising from the dead is the once-for-all declaration that our sins have been punished and those who believe in Jesus, joyfully following His will and His ways are those who are marked as His forever. We place our trust in Him. Such trust is confirmed by His Spirit Who lives in us. And the Spirit of God takes the Word and makes it living for us, true and heart-stirring. The Spirit sustains us in our joys and sorrows, the Spirit guards us against the sweeping tumults of upheavals which life and circumstances throw at us. Jesus Himself is the Sign Who never leaves nor forsakes us. He is our lasting Peace.
Forgive me, King Jesus, for all the times I am tempted to test You. Forgive me for the times I would say, if only You do this or that and then I’ll believe forever…except forever believing never comes. Spirit of the Living God, keep my mind fixed on Jesus so that I will be guarded in the perfect peace He alone brings. Triune God, forever blessed and true, I believe, help me overcome my unbelief so that faith drills down ever deeper into You, the LORD God, an everlasting Rock. Amen.
If you have a moment, listen to the hymn: “Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus”
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=tis+so+sweet+to+trust+in+Jesus&docid=608000788592395958&mid=66090083F5CF7385808B66090083F5CF7385808B&view=detail&FORM=VIRE
