Signs Can’t Save
Opening Prayer
Give thanks for all the people, or situations that God has used to point you to Jesus. Worship him for his generous love.
Read John 11:45-57
[45] Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. [46] But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. [47] Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. [48] If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.” [49] Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! [50] You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” [51] He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, [52] and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. [53] So from that day on they plotted to take his life. [54] Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples. [55] When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. [56] They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the festival at all?” [57] But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
The Jewish leaders had a dilemma. What was it (47,48)?The first part of John’s Gospel is sometimes termed “the Book of Signs.” In this section (chs. 1-12), John records seven signs that Jesus performed in order to evoke a response of saving, life-giving faith (20:30,31). Yet “seeing is believing” doesn’t always hold true. Jesus’ signs provoked varying responses. Some turned to Jesus, some turned away, while others turned on him. The raising of Lazarus is the last and greatest of the seven signs. Because of this sign, some believed in Jesus (45); yet others not only refused to believe, but stirred up trouble by spreading tales (46); and the Jewish religious council exemplified the kind of hardness of heart that characterizes unbelief. Although they didn’t doubt the authenticity of Jesus’ signs (47), these leaders deliberately ignored their significance, focusing instead on the ensuing repercussions (48) which would adversely impact their own authority, position or perks. A verdict has already been pronounced on such people (3:19); and evil indeed were their deeds (53).Signs can only point to the truth. Salvation comes from accepting the truth and embracing Jesus Christ.
Apply
In your neighborhood, workplace or social circle, how will you be a signpost that points people to Jesus?
Closing prayer
Dear God, today and always, let me be a sign for others that You are alive and working among us.
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