Second Sign

The second sign is similar to the first. It is an expression of God’s power that validates Jesus as Messiah, but there is not much teaching.

A man comes to Jesus, because his son is sick, and near death. He pleads with Jesus to come, and heal his son.

Jesus observes that the man won’t believe unless he sees a miracle. What is Jesus getting at? Expectations of his mission? The nature of faith? Mankind’s tendency toward empiricism – I won’t believe it unless I see it, hear it, taste it, smell it, or feel it?

The man is getting desperate, so he persists. And Jesus assures the man that his son will live. Scripture says the man believes Jesus. He expected that his son would recover, and live. So, he returns home.

But on his way, servant from his home find him, and tell him that his son’s fever broke suddenly, the day before. So, the man asks when. He found out it happened at the same time he was talking to Jesus. So, not only did Jesus re-assure the man, he healed the son. No fanfare. No hoopla. No glitz. Quietly, and almost in secret.

There seems to be an expectation, that when God acts, there will be fireworks, strobe lights, glitter balls, with “Pomp and Circumstance” playing in the background.

Jesus said, “My Father is always working.” If these expectations were correct, there would be fireworks 24x7, including Sundays and holidays. Instead, we miss the majority – the vast majority – of what God is doing.

There are many who follow Jesus today, who expect some sort of experience. I am not putting down experiences, or those who have them. But the Father is not bound by any agreement to necessarily provide one.

This sign shows that God has authority, and power, to complete his purposes outside of our expectations. Experience. No experience. Or a different experience.

But we do need to believe Jesus, and expect the Father to be always working.