January 28, 2005

The Second Miracle

David has already pointed out to us the signs (or miracles in the KJV). Here is the list of 7 (a magic number of course; look up 'seven signs' in google; you will be amazed. Then look up "seven signs john"):

The concept of signs loomed very big in John. Commentators have selected 7 incidents where Jesus performed a "miracle" (so that people might "believe on him" and have "eternal life"):

1. the Wedding at Cana (Chapter Two)
2. healing of the nobleman's son (Four)
3. healing of the lame man (Five)
4. feeding of 5000 (Six)
5. walking on water (Six)
6. healing of the blind man (Nine)
7. raising of Lazarus (Eleven)

John wrote these stories to convince people, so they might 'believe' and have 'eternal life'. Once again: this belief was not to a set of intellectual propositions, but as emphasized in the synoptics, a matter of trust in what Jesus said, in the gospel.

Trusting in the truth of Jesus' words and actions, we commit ourselves to the Way (14:6).

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:29-31)