A road sign is not the place you are going. It points you to the place. That is exactly what Jesus' miracles do in John's Gospel. John calls them signs, because each one points to who Jesus is.
The first sign. “This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him” (John 2:11).
Not a show. Jesus did not turn water into wine to impress a crowd. The master of the feast did not know where the wine came from, but the servants knew (2:9). The sign was for those with eyes to see.
It points to His glory. Glory is the bright greatness of God. Long ago, “the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle” (Exodus 40:34). At Cana that same glory was seen in Jesus: “we beheld His glory” (John 1:14).
It points to His power. Only the Maker of all things can change water into wine in a moment. “All things were made through Him” (John 1:3).
It points to His kindness. Jesus' first sign met the need of an ordinary family on a happy day. He cares about the small things in our lives too.
It points to His generosity. Jesus made more than a hundred gallons, and it was the best wine of the whole feast. He gives more than we ask for.
The real Giver. The master of the feast thought the bridegroom had saved the good wine. He did not know who the real Giver was. Many people enjoy God's good gifts without knowing where they come from.
More signs. John goes on to tell about other signs. Jesus fed five thousand people, and they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world” (John 6:14). He raised Lazarus and said, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).
Each sign shows something. When Jesus fed the crowd, He showed He is “the bread of life” (John 6:35). When He raised Lazarus, He showed He is stronger than death. The signs are like windows into who Jesus is.
Seeing the Father. Jesus told Philip, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). When we look at Jesus' signs, we are seeing what God is like.
Why John wrote them. “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).
What we learn. Every sign points to Jesus. The question is not only What did Jesus do? but also Who is Jesus? He is God the Son.
What to do. This week, read John 2:1-11 again. Ask, What does this show me about Jesus? Then thank Him for it.
We were not at the wedding in Cana. We did not taste the wine or see the jars. So how can a sign help us today? God gave us His Word so that we can know and believe.
Written for you. John wrote the signs down “that you may believe” (John 20:31). When you read John 2, the sign is pointing to Jesus for you, too.
Faith comes by hearing. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). God uses the Bible to grow faith in our hearts.
Blessed without seeing. After He rose, Jesus told Thomas that people who believe without seeing Him are blessed (John 20:29). That includes everyone who trusts Him today.
What believing means. To believe in Jesus is more than knowing facts about Him. It means trusting Him with your whole life, like leaning all your weight on a strong chair.
A free gift. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Children of God. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12).
The Lamb. John the Baptist called Jesus “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). The signs point to Jesus, and Jesus went to the cross to take our sin away.
The same Jesus. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). He still cares about our needs, and He still hears our prayers.
God's answers. Jesus does not always fix a problem the way we ask. Sometimes He says yes, sometimes wait, and sometimes He gives us strength to get through it. He is always good.
Taste and see. “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Psalm 34:8). The best way to know Jesus is to trust Him and follow Him.
Hear and keep. Jesus said, “blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:28). Believing and obeying go together.
What to do. If you have never trusted Jesus, you can tell Him today. If you already belong to Him, tell a friend what Jesus did at Cana.
Complete all sections to finish!
Read each section and answer the questions correctly.