Jesus did many miracles. Some people loved Him for them, and some people only loved the show. In John 4, Jesus said something hard to a crowd that wanted more wonders.
The hard saying. “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe” (John 4:48). Jesus was not being unkind to the father. He was telling the truth about many hearts in Galilee.
A wonder. A wonder is something that makes people stare and say wow. A crowd can enjoy a wonder and then go home the same as before.
A sign. A sign points to something past itself. A road sign is not the city; it tells you where the city is. Jesus' miracles were signs that pointed to who He is.
The first sign. At a wedding in Cana, Jesus turned water into wine. “This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him” (John 2:11). That sign led to faith.
Believing for the wrong reason. In Jerusalem “many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did” (John 2:23). But Jesus did not trust Himself to them, because He knew what was in their hearts (John 2:24-25).
Wanting more proof. Some religious leaders asked Jesus for a sign even after He had healed people in front of them. Jesus said the only sign they would get was the sign of Jonah, a picture of His rising from the dead (Matthew 12:38-40).
Proof does not change a heart. In a story Jesus told, a rich man begged for someone to rise from the dead and warn his brothers. The answer was, “If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead” (Luke 16:31).
Thomas. After Jesus rose, Thomas said he would not believe until he saw and touched Jesus' wounds. A week later Jesus showed him His hands and His side. Then Jesus said that people who believe without seeing are blessed (John 20:24-29).
Why the signs are written. “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31).
The father's answer. The nobleman did not argue with Jesus. He said, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” (John 4:49). He did not want a show. He wanted Jesus.
What God wants. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is” (Hebrews 11:6). God wants us to come to Him, not just enjoy His miracles.
What to do. This week, when you read about a miracle of Jesus, ask what it shows you about Him. Then thank Him for who He is.
The nobleman came to Cana wanting Jesus to come home with him. He went home with only a promise. That walk home is a picture of what faith is.
The promise. Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives” (John 4:50). Jesus did not give him a sign to carry home. He gave him His word.
The choice. The father could stay and keep begging, or he could believe. “So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way” (John 4:50).
Faith is trust. Faith is more than knowing facts about Jesus. It is trusting Him, the way you trust a chair to hold you when you sit down.
Being sure. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is being sure of God's promises before you see them come true.
Walking by faith. “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Every step the father took toward home was a step of faith.
Abraham. God promised old Abraham a son. Abraham “did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God” (Romans 4:20).
Fully convinced. Abraham was “fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform” (Romans 4:21). Faith looks at how great God is, not at how hard the problem is.
Mary. Elizabeth said to Mary, “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord” (Luke 1:45).
Another father. When Jairus heard that his daughter had died, Jesus told him, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well” (Luke 8:50). Then Jesus raised her to life.
Where faith comes from. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Faith grows when we listen to what God says in the Bible.
Counted right with God. “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness” (Romans 4:3). God counts people right with Him when they trust His word.
Saved by trusting. We are not saved by being good. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). Faith is the empty hand that receives God's gift.
What to do. Write down one promise of Jesus from the Bible. Put it where you will see it every morning, and thank Jesus that His word is true.
Complete all sections to finish!
Read each section and answer the questions correctly.