More than a Sign

Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man  (John 2:23-25).

Our Teacher, the Holy Spirit, inspired John to record that many who saw the signs Jesus was doing believed in his name. John wrote near the end of this gospel that the Spirit moved him to record the signs and miracles of Christ so that truth seekers in every age would believe in Him… “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). So far John recorded only two of the signs of Jesus; turning water into wine and cleansing the temple. Apparently these were enough to provoke belief in the hearts of many. However, their belief did not provoke a similar belief in the heart of Christ. He did not entrust himself to them. What kept Jesus from eagerly receiving and trusting in these new believers and welcoming them into His circle of disciples? The Spirit does not answer this question directly but does show us here that Christ knew that to really follow Him, believers need much more than a sign.

Are you a Christ follower? How long have you been following Him? Do you remember what it was that provoked you to believe in Him? Was it something special He did for you? Was it a miracle or sign of some sort? What happened next? Did you find yourself drawn to His word? To other believers? To His Church? What happened to your faith as you studied His word and discovered His truth? Was your life changed as your faith matured?

People are often drawn to Christ by a miracle or sign… “A large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick” (John 6:2). But if we try to follow Him because of something He did or something we hope He will do for us, we are too easily swept away by the schemes of our adversary in the Great War… “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Jesus warned His followers that Satan and his followers can and will perform miracles and signs too… “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24). But the Spirit reveals the key to discerning and resisting the deceptive work of the devil through the pen of the apostle Paul… “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10). Those who refused to love the truth are vulnerable to the deceptive work of the adversary. Following Christ requires much more than belief in and anticipation of miracles and signs. Following Christ requires believing and loving His truth more than anything else.

The Spirit moved the apostle Paul to teach that belief in Christ is a serious matter of the heart… “For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:10). And because Jesus is “The Word (that) became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14), He alone knows our heart. Jesus distinguished His true followers from other believers by their love for His word and His truth… “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’” (John 8:31-32). When He looks into the heart of Christ followers He is looking for a genuine love of His truth… “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 1:4).

As we grow up into Christ our hunger and love for His truth grows and draws us closer and closer into intimate fellowship with Him as we learn that following Christ is secured by truth, which is much…

More than a Sign.