MISSION GROUP QUESTIONS FROM JOHN: 7 Words + 7 Signs - 13/12/09

This week we looked at the second sign Jesus performs in John's Gospel - the healing of the royal official's son (John 4.43-54)

Jesus is back in Cana where he performed first sign (Ch2.1-11) by turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana and we saw that the similarities were striking.

(1) Someone comes to Jesus with a need and is initially rebuffed (vs48) - Jesus seems very insensitive.

(2) The man does not give up and persists in his faith (vs49)

(3) Jesus performs the miracle but does it “behind closed doors” - only the royal official knows and the people he tells. We do not even know if he ever got to thank Jesus.

The story throws up 2 questions

(1) Why was Jesus so reluctant and hesitant to help/heal?

(2) Why does Jesus want to stay anonymous and not get any of the credit? He does everything he can to avoid the publicity and applause that he could have gained.

And the answer to both questions was the same! He does not want people to think his kingdom is primarily about signs and wonders, miracles and healings (vs48). If they think that is what the kingdom is primarily about they will have no time or place for the cross (for weakness, suffering, shame and vulnerability).

He doesn’t want people to misunderstand who he is and what his kingdom is like. His real and ultimate glory is the hour of the cross (John 12.27-28), it is not an hour of signs and wonders. Signs and wonders are part of the kingdom, but they are not central and they are not the ultimate markers of the kingdom of God. The cross is what ultimately marks out the kingdom of God, that is at the centre, that is the defining feature and although signs and wonders are important, they are not central. Following Jesus is following him on the path of the cross (Mark 8.34ff).

The Apostle Paul understood this tension. He could boast in his visions and miracles but he knew that he had to boast in Christ and his Cross (1 Corinthians 2.1-5, 2 Corinthians 11-13, Galatians 6.14). Signs and wonders were part of his ministry, but they were not his primary focus!

Gordon Fee helpfully explains the balance when he says

        “The Spirit means the presence of great power,
            power to overflow with hope (Romans 15.13),
            power sometimes attested by signs and wonders
            and at other times by joy in great affliction”

Reflection and Application

(1) When and why do we go to God and say “if you do…..THEN I will believe/continue to believe?” What kind of relationship with God does this mean we have? What kind of faith will this mean we have? What will happen when God (in his perfect goodness, love and wisdom) does not answer our prayer how we want him to?

(2) Why do we often make signs and wonders the key marker of the kingdom of God? Why do we not make the cross the key marker?

(3) How do we hold the balance of (a) actively seeking and growing and longing for signs and wonders amongst us at Mosaic without (b) making them them the most important thing?

(4) Would you like to grow in any of the spiritual gifts? If so which ones (1 Corinthians 12.1-11)?

(5) How can we learn to boast (and glory/rejoice) in the cross and nothing else (Galatians 6.14)?

(6) Do you feel like you are on the end of a “rebuff” from Jesus? In what area? With what request? What does it mean for you to persist? What is he trying to teach you?

(7) Pray for friends and family who you would like to see God heal.