What makes a "good" sign? Attractive colors? Pretty font? A fresh design? Or something more familiar? While these things can certainly improve a sign (or if done poorly detract from it) what ultimately determines whether a sign is good or not is if it conveys the idea or knowledge for which it was created to share. Signs are made for a purpose. Good signs convey their intended meaning, bad signs do not. No matter how beautiful or legible or interesting an exit sign is, it's a terrible sign if it doesn't direct you to an exit.

Pastor Vaughn and I are talking a lot about signs as we progress through our study on John. It was, after all, a central component of John's purpose for writing the Gospel account. (Jn 20:31) We know Jesus performed many other miracles during his Earthly ministry than the few John appropriates as "signs." It is only natural to ask, "Why did he select these ones?" What makes these miracles important enough to single out from the rest of Jesus' works? These miracles are set apart not to emphasize the supernatural act, but what the miracle revealed about Jesus. These signs reveal his glory and point to who Jesus is.

In this week’s study, Jesus told the official his son would live, and the boy recovered that very hour. (Jn 4:50-53) From this miracle, the official and his entire household believed that Jesus was the Christ. At first the official believed Jesus’ words that his son would recover. But then he realized that the miracle Jesus performed was showing him that Jesus was the Christ. He then believed not only Jesus’ words, but he believed in Jesus himself. Jesus provided everything needed to prove his identity. It is up to us to decide if we follow the signs and believe in him or disregard them and be left on our own.

In Christ,

Chappy