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The Reaction to The Signs in John
The Reaction to The Signs in John
John records only some of the miracles that Jesus did in the presence of the people. These were done openly before all, even His doubters and enemies. John records not only the acts but also the responses of those who beheld them.
Water to wine - John 2:1-11
John 2:11 - "This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him."
Temple cleansing - 2:13-22
John 2:22 - "When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.”
Telling the History of the Samaritan Woman - 4:1-29
She begins the conversation knowing only that he was a Jewish man (9). It was His telling her about her 5 husbands and the man she now has when they had never met that sparked a change. Her response: “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.” (4:19). With further conversation about the differences between the Samaritans teaching and what ‘a prophet’ taught, she progressed to ““Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?”” (4:29).
Healing of nobleman’s son - 4:46-54
John 4:53 - "The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household."
Healing of lame man - 5:1-15
Not all responses to Jesus’ signs were positive. In John 5:15 - "The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him." THIS gave way to the exchange where Jesus claimed to be the Son of God and thus equal to God (cp. Vs. 18). Jesus showed 5 different ways in which he could be seen to be equal to the Father and then gives 5 witnesses to the truthfulness of this claim. Jesus then makes several serious accusations about those who saw and refused to believe in Him: "How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?" (5:44). "For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”" (5:46–470.
Walking on Water / Feeding of multitude - 6:1-25
John 6:14 - "When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”” THEN things got difficult: “I am the bread of life” brought about grumbling amongst the hearers (vs. 41). When He declared: “You must eat my body / drink my blood” (6:54, 57). With that "many walked no more with Jesus” (66).
Healing of the blind man - 9:1-41
This passage shows an interesting progress in this blind man’s thinking…
• “so I went and washed and received my sight” (9:11) THIS fact he repeated several more times. Notice particularly: - "He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”" (9:25).
• “He is a prophet” (9:17).
• John 9:33 - "If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”"
• John 9:38 - "He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him."
Raising of Lazarus - 11:1-44
John 11:45–47 - "Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs.” Then 'the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus” (12:10–11).
Then there was His resurrection and the response of those seeing Him alive:
• John 20:18 - "Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her."
• John 20:20 - "When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord."
• John 20:28 - "Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!””
Conclusion by John:
"Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:30–31)
Most of these people would have been lucky to see ONE of these signs, you have the privilege to read and know all that John records concerning Jesus. So, the question remains, what is YOUR reaction?
Hugh DeLong
