TOMORROW’S GOSPEL (Ord Form) (Jn 4:43-54) SIGNS ARE GREAT, IF YOU KNOW HOW TO READ THEM. The Gospel of John has been called the “Gospel of Signs.” John is very clear about calling them signs, numbering them and calling our attention to them. John himself, at the end of the Gospel, tells us the reason for writing down these signs in his Gospel – that we may believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that this belief gives us eternal life. But, just as in ordinary life signs are useless to a lot of people, because they do not notice them or do not understand or heed them, the signs of the Lord are often useless to a certain number of people, because, seeing these signs, they still do not come to belief in Christ as the one sent from heaven. Though many people yearn to see signs, upon seeing them, they often are of no true benefit for them. Contrast this with the royal official. He fits the pattern of John’s signs when there is success. First, there is an openness in a person or persons to expect the miraculous in Jesus. This official comes to Jesus with this in mind. Second, the faith of the person(s) stimulates a kind of chain reaction of belief in others. Notice how this story ends with the official’s entire household coming to belief in Christ. Finally, there is additional wonder, besides the sign itself. The sign in this story is the cure of the critically ill son. But the additional wonder is that the cure happens at the precise time the official turns to go back home, a detail he discovers later and cements his faith in Jesus’ supernatural power. This is the whole point of the signs. They invite a response, and the desired response is belief that Jesus is not just a powerful man. Only God, the author of life, can offer eternal life. The point of the “Gospel of Signs” is to offer us this eternal life through faith in Christ, the Son of God.
Posted on: Sun, 30 Mar 2014 14:01:02 +0000
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