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Beatitudes

Posted on May 2, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 15 of 49

The Beatitudes

Jesus traveled the country, healing people, calling them to repent and sharing the good news about the Kingdom of Heaven. The prophets foretold of a coming kingdom in which the Lord reigned supreme. Israel would no longer be in bondage to another nation. All nations would acknowledge the Lord God.

The Sermon on the Mount provides us with Jesus’ idea of what the Kingdom of Heaven should be. He described the citizen’s character and expectations for behavior. He spoke of motivation as a component of our actions. He set lofty goals. He identified two ways in which to live and the consequences of each.

His style is typical of rabbinic teaching of the day. He spoke in such a way that those listening could remember and repeat the teaching. He told stories with the standard Hebrew literature characteristics.

He used parallelism as a basic form…think rhyming ideas, not rhyming words. He used metaphor, simile, plays on words, exaggeration, and parables to get people to think outside the religious box.

He listed the desired character qualities in the Kingdom of Heaven. As a child, I learned them as the “BE” attitudes. Jesus exemplified each of these qualities as he walked on earth.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Mt 5:3–12.

We don’t generally see people who are poor in spirit, meek, persecuted, or in mourning as being blessed, in fact we see them as the opposite. While we appreciate those who are merciful and peacemakers, we don’t see them as blessed but as ones who bless others. And the pure in heart and those who seek after righteousness…they are the most at risk for ridicule.

Luke also records some beatitudes, and he added woes. Power and wealth on earth will not transfer to heaven. Through Jesus Christ we can look to a better hope, our suffering here is just for a season.

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said:

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.

“Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.

“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!

Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.

“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.

“Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry.

“Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.

“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.

Lk 6:20–26.

Instead of giving you my thoughts on what each beatitude means, I thought I’d just list some of the scripture that explains it. You can decide for yourself what each one means in your life.

Poor in Spirit

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Ps 51:17.

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,

who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:

“I dwell in the high and holy place,

and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,

to revive the spirit of the lowly,

and to revive the heart of the contrite.

Is 57:15.

Those who mourn:

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor;

he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,

and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all who mourn;

to grant to those who mourn in Zion—

to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;

that they may be called oaks of righteousness,

the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

Is 61:1–3.

Meek:

But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.

Ps 37:11.

The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.

Is 29:19.

Hunger and thirst for righteousness:

As a deer pants for flowing streams,

so pants my soul for you, O God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

When shall I come and appear before God?

Ps 42:1–2.

“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;

and he who has no money, come, buy and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?

Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.

Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.

Is 55:1–3.

Merciful:

Blessed is the one who considers the poor!

In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him;

the Lord protects him and keeps him alive;

he is called blessed in the land;

Ps 41:1–2.

A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.

Pr 11:17.

Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.

Pr 14:21.

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

Pr 19:17.

Pure in Heart:

O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent?

Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart;

who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor,

nor takes up a reproach against his friend;

in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord;

who swears to his own hurt and does not change; who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things shall never be moved.

Ps 15:1–5.

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place?

He who has clean hands and a pure heart,

who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Ps 24:3–5.

Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

Ps 73:1.

Peacemaker:

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

“May they be secure who love you!

Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!”

For my brothers and companions’ sake I will say, “Peace be within you!”

For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.

Ps 122:6–9.

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Ps 34:13–14.

Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.

Ps 37:37.

Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy

Pr 12:20.

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news,

who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,

who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

Is 52:7.

Persecuted:

The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place.

But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord rose against his people, until there was no remedy.

2 Ch 36:15–16.

“Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against you and cast your law behind their back and killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you, and they committed great blasphemies.

Ne 9:26.

“Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law;

fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings.

For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool,

but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations.”

Is 51:7–8.

Lord, you know our hearts. You desire that we become imitators of you, humbly extending your mercy and grace to all we meet, holding out a hope for peace and reconciliation at all times. Continue to do your work in our lives.

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Php 2:1–11.

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Dinner with a Pharisee

Posted on May 1, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 14 of 49

Jesus engaged all types of people as he ministered in Judea and Galilee. Crowds followed him everywhere…I imagine that some camped outside his door at night so they would be first to see him in the morning.

Some followed him out of desperation for a miracle. Some followed him for his life giving words that provided hope and a challenge. Some followed him for his celebrity status.

One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.

37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment,

38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.

39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.”

40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.

42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.”

44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.

45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet.

46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.

47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?”

50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Lk 7:36–50.

Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to his house. Basic hospitality required the washing of a guest’s feet. A person of honor also received a kiss and an anointing with oil. Not only did Simon not honor the guest he invited into his house, he refused Jesus the very basic hospitality.

Did he think a country preacher not worth the time and effort to honor? If so, why invite him in the first place?

Did he see Jesus as a means to up his own celebrity status?

Was he trying to find a way to expose Jesus as a fraud?

Contrast the Pharisee with the sinful woman. She entered the house, probably shocking all who attended. She cried at Jesus feet, washing them and drying them with her hair. She anointed his feet with perfume from her alabaster box.

Alabaster is a soft stone used often in the day for holding perfume. They used alabaster to make jars with small necks that would be broken to pour out the perfume. The bottles and the perfume cost a lot, and may have been her entire savings.

We are made aware of Simon’s thoughts. This woman is a sinner. If Jesus really is a prophet, then he knows what type of woman she is and would not let her touch him. If he is a prophet and knows who she is, then he is not holy since he let her touch him. Either way, he cannot be who he claims to be.

Jesus knows his thoughts and responds with a parable. Two debtors owe what they cannot pay, one in greater debt than the other. Both debts are forgiven. Then Jesus asks which would love the forgiver more.

Simon answers with an “I suppose”, he didn’t want to be caught in a trap.

Jesus said, he judged correctly. Then he made Simon look at the woman. He compared the treatment Jesus had received at the hand of each.

By pointing out the comparison, everyone attending would know that Simon and the sinful woman were the characters in the parable. Not only did the woman need forgiveness, so did Simon.

The woman sought forgiveness from Jesus, and received it. Like the forgiveness of the paralytic, the people at the table wondered about Jesus’ ability to forgive. We have no response from Simon as to whether he sought forgiveness or not.

Usually sermons and devotionals focus on the woman. Her narrative has power and is a beautiful picture of Christ’s forgiveness.

But I wanted to focus on the Pharisee and his lack of awareness of his need. Jesus offers forgiveness to all, from the most sinful to the person who thinks they have no sin.

Lord, thank you for your forgiveness. Help us to not take for granted all that you have done for us.

He was despised and rejected by men,

a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;

and as one from whom men hide their faces

he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he has borne our griefs

and carried our sorrows;

yet we esteemed him stricken,

smitten by God, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

and with his wounds we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned—every one—to his own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,

yet he opened not his mouth;

like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,

and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,

so he opened not his mouth.

Is 53:3–7.

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Jesus Forgives Sin

Posted on April 30, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 13 of 49

Jesus Forgives Sin

On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal.

18 And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus,

19 but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus.

20 And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”

21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

22 When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts?

23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?

24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.”

25 And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God.

26 And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”

Lk 5:17–26.

A favorite Sunday school story, five friends, four take it upon themselves to aid their paralyzed friend reach Jesus. They overcame all obstacles, and finally thinking outside the box, they removed tiles from the roof and placed their friend right in front of Jesus.

Crowds followed Jesus wherever he went. When he went home, the crowds didn’t stop…they filled whatever house he visited to overflowing. In this narrative, Pharisees and teachers of the Law had come from every village in Galilee and Judea as well as from Jerusalem.

Jesus gained a lot of attention from his healings, which gave credence to his teaching. The leaders listened to him to see if he taught error. They knew he had not gone through the proper training to become a teacher, and I can see where they wanted to make sure he was scripturally sound.

In the first century, the teachers and leaders sat. Chosen disciples may sit at the feet of their master to learn, but most who listened stood to be taught, whereas today the teacher stands and the students sit.

This adds a new twist to the visit of Jesus to the temple: “After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.” (Lk 2:46).

Up to this point, Jesus’ contention with the Pharisees dealt with keeping the Sabbath. Jesus healed, the Pharisees considered healing to be work and therefore, forbidden on the Sabbath. Now, Jesus would add a new point of contention, his deity.

In that day, paralysis, blindness, deafness, barrenness…all were believed to be consequences of sin, either the parents or the afflicted. A righteous person received blessing from God, not affliction. This is sometimes a hard concept for us even today.

So Jesus told the young man that his sins were forgiven. Because his sins were forgiven, he would be able to walk.

All the leaders took offense at his statement, “Only God can forgive sins.” This is still early in Jesus’ ministry. Red flags went off in their minds, had Jesus crossed the line? We know that Jesus is the Son of God, they were still learning.

Jesus brought up a good point. They had witnessed and heard about multiple healings by Jesus, many fulfilling the prophesies from Isaiah. As teachers of the Law, they should have recognized him by his signs.

They believed the illnesses were caused by sin, therefore, if Jesus healed the afflictions, logically it follows that the healed people had been forgiven.

By connecting the healing to the forgiveness, Jesus let the people know his identity, the One who was to come. And he could not only heal, he had authority from God to forgive sins on earth. The people glorified God for working in their midst.

Some of the leaders also believed, but some…they didn’t want to lose what they had and so denied what Jesus claimed.

Lord, thank you for the forgiveness you give us through your mercy. Thank you for paying the penalty for every last one of our sins with your blood on the cross. Help us to continue to turn away from sin and to walk in your way.

1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,

whose sin is covered.

2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,

and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away

through my groaning all day long.

4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;

my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

5 I acknowledged my sin to you,

and I did not cover my iniquity;

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”

and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

Ps 32:1–5.

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Matthew’s Party

Posted on April 29, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 12 of 49

Matthew’s Party

In first century Judea, a party or feast, especially with a celebrity, excited a whole village, even the uninvited. The host made sure no other parties had been planned. He sent out invitations and the invitees RSVP’d. He provided plenty of food and drink for his guests.

The host welcomed the invited into the housing complex containing a number of couches and pillows where the guest could lie down to enjoy the banquet…they didn’t sit like we do. The most honored guests sat near the host, and the least honorable guest…well, you were inside.

The uninvited watched and listened over the walls of the house. With no TV or radio, a local party held great entertainment.

And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

15 And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.

16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Mk 2:14–17.

Tax collectors held bad reputations. Some Jews considered them to be traitors since they collected money from the Jews for the Romans. Some cheated their fellow Jews by saying they owed more tax than they did and then pocketing the difference. Most became very wealthy.

Enter Jesus, he calls the tax collector to follow him…along with Simon the Zealot, whose whole purpose before being called was to take down Rome in the most violent way possible. No wonder there were moments of conflict among the disciples, some were polar opposites.

Matthew, also called Levi, gave a party. He invited tax collectors and sinners as well as Jesus and his disciples. I wonder what was going through the head of the other disciples. “Really? A tax collector?”

The scribes and the Pharisees were not invited to this party, but they saw who attended and questioned Jesus about his choice of companions.

Jesus said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

The Pharisees considered themselves to be righteous, so on one level this made sense to them. But, they also worked very hard to stay clear of the unrighteous so that they would not become unclean themselves. They believed that interacting with a sinner somehow corrupted them.

Matthew 9:13 adds this sentence, “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice’. For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus confronted the Pharisees several times, telling them to learn what it means to have mercy.

Extending mercy to others requires an acknowledgement that we need mercy ourselves. All of us fit into the category of sinners who need a Savior. I think sometimes we forget that and can be a bit judgmental like the Pharisees.

But Jesus, like his Father was always ready to show mercy, to welcome the unloved and unwanted, to extend his grace and open the door for the repentant to come to the Father. He desires that we do the same.

Lord, remind us of our own beginnings with you. Help us to extend grace and mercy to those around us who do not know your loving care and mercy.

Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Lk 6:36.

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Jesus Raised Lazarus

Posted on April 28, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 11 of 49

Seventh Sign: Jesus Raised Lazarus

In the first six signs, we saw the power of God revealed through the Messiah over creation, weather, illness, and food supply. We saw his loving concern, not only for those who were sick, but also for the reputation of a family hosting a wedding.

The miracles of Christ served to build the faith of the disciples and others who followed Jesus, and yet, they needed more.

The final sign revealed his power over the greatest hurdle known to humanity…death.

Before this sign, in Jesus’ last year of ministry, he taught at Jerusalem. The Jews said, “If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me,” (John 10:24-25).

In the parable found in Luke 16:19-31, the poor man Lazarus, dies and goes to Abraham’s side, while the rich man dies and goes into torment. The rich man begs Abraham to send Lazarus to the man’s brothers.

But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’

30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’

31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”

Lk 16:29–31.

Jesus knew that the raising of Lazarus would not convince some people, but others would be fully convinced that he was the Messiah.

John 11:1-16: Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus about Lazarus’ illness. They requested he come quickly.

“Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (Jn 11:5). Jesus spent time in their home. Very likely it was a common stopover on his way to Jerusalem, and may have been a place to sleep (Mt 21:17). We know the narrative of Mary and Martha because of the conflict when Mary had made the better choice to sit at Jesus’ feet (Lk 10).

No doubt about Jesus’ love for them, but he chose to remain two more days. When he suggested returning to Judea, the disciples protested, knowing the Jewish leadership wanted him dead.

Jesus explained his purpose, to waken Lazarus. The disciples knew Lazarus had been sick, if he was sleeping, then he was on the mend.

Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” Jn 11:14–15.

Thomas, contrary to what we usually think of him, said, “Let’s go die with him.”

John 11:17-27: Lazarus lay four days in the tomb before Jesus got to Bethany. Many from Israel came to comfort Mary and Martha, and probably included some professional mourners.

Martha met him and said, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”

This is an interesting statement of faith. She doesn’t believe that Lazarus will come back to life, she knows she’ll see him again at the final resurrection. She’s saying that even though Jesus did not do what she wanted by healing her brother, she had no doubt that God will continue to answer his prayers.

I think most of us have no doubt about the ability of God to do anything…we struggle with the question, “will he in this circumstance?”.

But at this point, I don’t think she knows he has the power over death.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” Jn 11:25–26.

On this side of the resurrection, this statement is not always easy to understand. Before the resurrection? I’m sure Martha’s head was spinning trying to follow the reasoning. She gave another statement of faith, she believed that Jesus was the Son of God, the one that was promised to come.

John 11:28-37: Mary came to speak to Jesus.

Again, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” We have all faced disappointment when we feel that our prayers were not answered. Usually they are just not answered in the way we wanted. It’s okay to tell God we are upset with him…he already knows, we might as well say it.

Jesus knew her pain and cried with her…as he cries with us in our sorrow and disappointment.

The people there to comfort Mary and Martha wondered why Jesus did not heal Lazarus.

Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.

39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.”

40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”

41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.

42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.”

43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.”

44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

Jn 11:38–44.

What went through the mind of Martha when Jesus requested to remove the stone. Did she think that Jesus did not understand how long Lazarus had been dead? Did she think he wanted to see Lazarus one last time? Did hope rise within her…just a little?

She obeyed Jesus and received her brother back. Jesus revealed his power, not only over the living, but over the dead…those unreachable by any living creation.

Many believed because of this miracle…but then, you have those who would not believe even if someone came back from the dead. Now not only would the council try to kill Jesus, Lazarus was on their hit list too.

What do you believe about God the Father and God the Son? Do you know that he loves you, even when you see no evidence on a day to day basis? Do you know that he desires the best for you, even when you struggle with illness or problems?

Do you know that he not only is able to act on your behalf, but he will always do what is best for you?

Lord, help us to see your hand in every circumstance of our lives, both the good and the bad. Thank you that we can continually come to you with anything.

1 With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord.

2 I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.

3 When my spirit faints within me, you know my way!

In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me.

4 Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me;

no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul.

5 I cry to you, O Lord; I say, “You are my refuge,

my portion in the land of the living.”

6 Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low!

Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me!

7 Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name!

The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me.

Ps 142:1–7.

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Jesus Heals a Blind Man

Posted on April 27, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 10 of 49

Sixth Sign: Jesus Heals a Blind Man. John 9:1-41.

This narrative contains many facets which will be mentioned in several of the upcoming devotionals. Today I want to focus on verses 9:1-12.

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.

2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.

4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.

5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud

7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.

8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?”

9 Some said, “It is he.” Others said, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.”

10 So they said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?”

11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed and received my sight.”

12 They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”

Jn 9:1–12.

Jesus passed by and saw a blind man. His disciples asked a question which revealed the belief of many first century Jews. “Who sinned?” Illness, especially extreme illness was considered a result of sin. I think it’s interesting that they would think the man could have sinned since he was blind from birth…hard to sin in the womb.

Jesus told them this blindness wasn’t because of sin but so that God’s works would be displayed in him. That man suffered blindness a long time before God’s works were displayed. He suffered the humiliation of people thinking he had sinned before he was born. His parents suffered accusation of sin, causing their son to be born blind.

Too often I have judged another unfairly.

Jesus made mud out of his saliva and put it on the man’s eyes, told him to wash in the pool of Siloam. The man did, and once he could see, the people at the temple were amazed and wondered how it happened.

Some things to note. John is the only gospel to mention this healing.

It took place on the Sabbath. Kneading clay (making mud) fell under the thirty-nine forms of work which violated the Sabbath.

The obvious sign of Jesus as Messiah, he will open the eyes of the blind.

The Lord sets the prisoners free;

8 the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.

The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;

the Lord loves the righteous.

Ps 146:7–8.

In that day the deaf shall hear

the words of a book,

and out of their gloom and darkness

the eyes of the blind shall see.

19 The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord,

and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.

Is 29:18–19.

Say to those who have an anxious heart,

“Be strong; fear not!

Behold, your God

will come with vengeance,

with the recompense of God.

He will come and save you.”

5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,

and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer,

and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.

Is 35:4–6.

Comparison of blind man and lame man:

Jesus approached both of them. He did not wait for them to seek him out.
The blind man sat at the temple gate, the lame man lay down by an asclepion pool.
The blindness not a result of sin, the lameness probably a result of sin.
Both healings were on the Sabbath.
The blind man washed in the pool of Siloam, the lame man did not wash in the pool.
Both men went to the temple after the healing.
The blind man knew the name of his healer, the lame man did not.
Both did as Jesus commanded.
The blind man proclaimed faith in Christ, we don’t know about the lame man.

The man at the temple needed Jesus just as much as the man in the asclepion. Jesus reached out to both of them because neither could change their circumstances without his intervention.

That young kid in church needs Christ just as much as the young kid who carries a gun into school. The mom who prays every morning with her children needs Christ as much as the mom who is passed out from drink. The man who serves as an elder in his church needs Christ as much as the man whose job is his god.

We do not know the background of the people around us, but we need to love them as Christ did. Whether they come to believe in Christ or not is not our story, our job is to share the love of Christ with them. Jesus reached out and showed his love, even to those who would spit in his face, betray him, nail him to the cross, and mock him on the cross.

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins

2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,

5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Eph 2:1–10.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 Jn 4:7–11.

Lord, thank you for reaching out to me before I knew I needed you. Show me how to love the people you created, even those who see things differently than I do. Help me to show mercy and grace to all that cross my path.

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Jesus Walks on Water

Posted on April 26, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 9 of 49

Fifth Sign: Jesus Walks on Water

When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea,

17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.

18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing.

19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened.

20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”

21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

Jn 6:16–21.

John records a shortened version of the narrative of Jesus walking on water. Once again, the other gospels fill out the lost information.

Matt 14:22-33: Jesus urged the disciples to get into a boat while he sent away the people he had just fed. The he went up onto a mountain to pray alone. Waves beat on the boat and the wind was against the disciples. Between 3 and 6 in the morning Jesus walked towards them on water, and they thought he was a ghost. Jesus told them to not be afraid because it was just him. Peter asked to walk to him, Jesus agreed, but Peter looked at the waves instead of Jesus. When they got into the boat, the winds ceased. Those in the boat said, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Mark 6:45-52: Jesus made the disciples get into the boat while he dismissed the crowd, he went up the mountain to pray. Jesus saw that they were moving slowly against the wind. He came to them between 3 and 6 in the morning, and meant to just keep walking to the other side. They cried out, thinking he was a ghost, and he immediately spoke to them. When he got in the boat with them, the wind ceased. They were utterly astonished. Interesting statement: “They did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.”

After the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus sends the disciples in a boat, then went to pray alone. They waited awhile, hoping he would join them, but when it became night they took off. Storms often appeared on the Sea of Galilee, especially at night, but this group had at least four seasoned fishermen, should be no problem. They tried to make headway against the wind to no avail, and up on the mountain, Jesus watched them struggle. He let them struggle.

Superstitions about the Sea of Galilee concerning evil spirits inhabiting the sea and causing storms intimidated the people of the land. Tired and weary from rowing, seeing Jesus walking towards them in the wee hours of the morning, fear took hold and behold, a ghost.

The disciples had been on a boat with Jesus before, Jesus fell asleep and a storm came. At that point, he calmed the storm and fear filled the disciples, “Who is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” (Lk 8:25). The other three gospels include this narrative, John does not. (Mt 8:23-27; Mk 4:35-41; Lk 8:22-25).

Why did John include this narrative, and not the one where Jesus slept? Why didn’t John mention Peter’s attempt to walk on the water? Questions for which I have no answers.

The passage does reveal anew the power of Jesus Christ over the elements of nature, revealing his relationship to God. For any who held onto superstitions, he revealed that he is a great king above all gods.

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;

let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;

let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

3 For the Lord is a great God,

and a great King above all gods.

4 In his hand are the depths of the earth;

the heights of the mountains are his also.

5 The sea is his, for he made it,

and his hands formed the dry land.

6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down;

let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!

7 For he is our God,

and we are the people of his pasture,

and the sheep of his hand.

Ps 95:1–7.

The people watched Jesus. They saw that he stayed behind after the disciples left. They saw that he did not get on a boat to cross the sea. At the other side, people saw him arrive in the boat with the disciples.

When they ask Jesus how he arrived, he did not answer them. Instead, he said they only sought him because they ate bread. How discouraging, Jesus held out the Word of Life, and they just wanted physical bread.

Jesus Christ offers us forgiveness for all our sins, eternal life, peace and contentment…and we can’t see beyond our physical needs. The Almighty God who controls the smallest particles of the universe desires a relationship with us, and we worry about what color shirt to wear.

Lord, you are more than we can even imagine. You control the elements. You determine the times. You reveal the destinations. You love us with a love that has no dimensions.

You are beautiful beyond description

Too marvelous for words

Too wonderful for comprehension

Like nothing ever seen or heard

Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom

Who can fathom the depths of Your love

You are beautiful beyond description

Majesty, enthroned above

And I stand, I stand in awe of You

I stand, I stand in awe of You

Holy God to whom all praise is due

I stand in awe of You

Composer: Mark Altrogge

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Feeding 5000

Posted on April 25, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 8 of 49

Fourth Sign: Feeding of 5000

After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias.

2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick.

3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples.

4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.

5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”

6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.

7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.”

8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him,

9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”

10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number.

11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.

12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.”

13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.

14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”

15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

Jn 6:1–15.

One of the most memorable miracles of Jesus, it publicly displayed his power over nature and his ability to provide for one’s needs.

Since the miracle at Cana, Jesus spent the year consistently healing, preaching the Kingdom of God, and gaining popularity among the people. A lot of the people followed him to get help for themselves or for their family. A lot followed him because he did spectacular miracles.

In the 60’s and 70’s, we saw similar gatherings, especially among the charismatic and pentecostal element of the church. Faith healers like Oral Roberts, Kathryn Kuhlmann, Kenneth Copeland, Kenneth Hagin, Derek Prince, and Benny Hinn traveled the world, drawing huge crowds, and bringing hope in Jesus Christ to people in pain. Today others continue the healing ministries on television and in huge arenas.

While I don’t agree with the teaching that lays the blame for a lack of healing on the unbelief of the sick person or that everyone will be healed and wealthy if they have enough faith…after all, God is sovereign…I know that God heals today. I have experienced it. I have seen it in the lives of others. And I believe that there are some people who are blessed with the gift of praying for others to be healed (I Cor 12:9, 28; read all of chapter 12 for a list of the gifts).

My point in this is not the validity of these faith healers, my point is that sensationalism draws big crowds. Jesus, by the sheer magnitude of the healings he performed, drew huge crowds.

The feeding of the 5000 is mentioned in all four gospels. We gain additional details from these gospels.

Matthew 14:13-21: Jesus had tried to get to a desolate place, probably to pray, but the people followed…actually they raced ahead on foot and met him at his destination. He had compassion on them and healed the sick.

Mark 6:30-44: Jesus had sent the 12 disciples out two by two to proclaim that people should repent, to cast out demons and to anoint with oil those who needed healing (Mk 6:7-13). They had just returned and Jesus tried to take them to a desolate place for some RandR. The people beat them to the destination. Jesus had compassion and taught them until it was late.

Luke 9:10-17: We find out the name of the place, Bethsaida, after the disciples returned from their venture. It says that Jesus welcomed the people who followed, spoke to them about the Kingdom of God, and healed those in need…until late.

Some of the disciples wanted to send them into the towns to get food…can you imagine an influx of 5000 people into a small town? Jesus told them to feed the people. Philip gave voice to the disciples’ dilemma, “200 denarri is not enough to buy bread for all these people.” Andrew brought the boy with five loaves and two fish, saying “What is this for so many?”.

Five of the disciples, including Andrew, witnessed the turning of water into wine. All of them witnessed the healings and the casting out of demons. They had just returned from their journeys where they were the ones healing and casting out demons.

This was a challenge in belief, five loaves and two fish to feed so many people? But Jesus told them to have the people sit down, and they obeyed him…a step of faith, despite the doubt.

Everyone ate until satisfied, and they collected 12 baskets of leftovers. Some say that the 12 baskets (kophinos) represent the 12 tribes of Israel.

Matthew 15:29-39 and Mark 8:1-10 mention the feeding of the 4000. They had seven loaves and a few fish that fed everyone and they gathered seven baskets (spyris) of leftovers. There is some thought that this second feeding was to show the inclusion of the gentiles into God’s kingdom.

The kophinos was a basket used almost exclusively by the Jews. The seven represented the seven Gentile nations: Canaanites, Amorites, Girgashites, Hittites, Hivites, Jebusites and the Perizzites.

What does this reveal to us about Jesus as the Messiah?

He had compassion for his people, as sheep without a shepherd.

“In those days and in that time, declares the Lord, the people of Israel and the people of Judah shall come together, weeping as they come, and they shall seek the Lord their God.

5 They shall ask the way to Zion, with faces turned toward it, saying, ‘Come, let us join ourselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten.’

6 “My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray, turning them away on the mountains. From mountain to hill they have gone. They have forgotten their fold.

Je 50:4–6.

“For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.

12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness.

13 And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country.

14 I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel.

15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God.

Eze 34:11–15.

“I will strengthen the house of Judah,

and I will save the house of Joseph.

I will bring them back because I have compassion on them,

and they shall be as though I had not rejected them,

for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them.

Zec 10:6.

The people perceived that he was the prophet who was to come. Jesus departed because they wanted to make him king.

Later they ask him for proof that he was the Messiah…they wanted more bread. That leads to the discussion of Jesus as the Bread of Life, which we will touch on in a later devotional.

Lord, thank you for the sacrifice you made to bring us eternal life. Thank you for being a shepherd with compassion on us. Help us to seek your face in gratitude of your love and mercy that you poured out on us. When we see your gifts manifested through your followers, help us to not focus on the gift or the one with the gift, but on you, the one who gives.

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Healing a Lame Man

Posted on April 24, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 7 of 49

Third sign: Healing the Man by the Pool

After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades.

3 In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed.

5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.

6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?”

7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.”

8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.”

9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.

Now that day was the Sabbath.

10 So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.”

11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’ ”

12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?”

13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place.

14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.”

15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.

16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath.

17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

Jn 5:1–17.

This pool of Bethesda always confused me. It seemed so contrary to how the Lord does things. We don’t read anywhere else in scripture about an angel stirring the waters for healing or about Bethesda.

God used water to heal. He healed Naaman when he dipped seven times in the Jordan River (2 Kings 5). He healed the blind man when he washed in the Pool of Siloam (John 9).

I’m taking a class that talks about the relationship between the Old and New Testaments. The professor gave an explanation for this pool which could explain why we don’t hear more about this pool.

Bethesda was likely an Asclepion, a pagan place of healing. In the 300 quiet years between the Old and New Testaments, the Greeks held a lot of power and influence in the region. While the Maccabeans did succeed in removing the pagan gods from the temple, other places of pagan worship would have remained.

Sick Greeks and Romans would seek the favor of Asclepius with an offering, and remain in the Asclepion until until they heard from god…through the interpretation of the priests. Treatment started with a temple sleep after which the dream was interpreted. Some people remained a long time, not receiving an answer.

If we consider this place an asclepion, it adds a new dimension to the narrative. Jesus entered a pagan god’s stronghold to redeem one of his own.

Jesus’ encounter with the man begins with the question, “Do you want to be healed?” The response is an excuse, “I have no one to help me.” I’ll leave you to ponder the implications of that question.

Jesus healed the man and told him to make up his bed and walk. The man obeyed and was accosted by Jews who let him know he was breaking the Law of Moses. He did not disobey the Law of Moses, he disobeyed one of the oral traditions built up around the keeping of the Sabbath.

This was often the source of contention between Jesus and the Jewish authorities. Jesus said that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mk 2:27). The oral traditions built up such a wall of rules around the Sabbath that it did not allow the people to enjoy the day.

When confronted about carrying the bed the man said, “The man who healed me told me to carry my bed.” The Jews who confronted him did not care that he had been healed after 38 years, just that he carried his bed.

Jesus found the man in the temple, perhaps he had gone to the temple to thank God for his healing. Jesus told him “Sin no more, so that nothing worse happens to you.” Was his first illness a consequence of his sin?

The man goes and tells the Jewish authorities that Jesus had healed him.

We don’t hear anything more about this man. Did he come to believe in Jesus? Did he continue to sin? We don’t know.

The narrative ends with a comment by Jesus about his Father. “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” The Jews had no problem with God working on the Sabbath, he took care of the world. They did have problems with Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God, making himself equal with God.

How does this reveal Jesus as the Messiah?

If it was an asclepion, then Jesus entered a pagan god’s stronghold to deliver one of his own
Jesus healed a lame man.

Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God.

He will come and save you.”

5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.

Is 35:4–6.

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples

3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”

4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see:

5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.

Mt 11:2–5.

Jesus continued to reach out to this man, knowing what he would do.
Jesus did the work of God, even on the Sabbath

Lord, thank you for reaching out to us in our pain and in our sin. Thank you for being our source of healing and hope. Help us to look no farther than you for all that we need.

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Healing the Official’s Son

Posted on April 23, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 6 of 49

2^nd Sign, The Healing of the Official’s Son.

So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill.

47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.

48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”

49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”

50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.

51 As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering.

52 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.”

53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household.

54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.

Jn 4:46–54.

After reading the passage, contemplating the passage, cross-referencing, and looking in commentaries, I came to this conclusion; I do not understand why John chose this miracle as an indicator of Jesus as the Messiah.

He returned from Passover in Jerusalem, and had done many miracles there.

In Jerusalem, he upset the tables of the moneylenders and livestock sellers. Researchers have come up with several reasons why this was a problem.

They set up in the Court of the Gentiles, therefore hindering those outside the Jewish faith from having an effective time of worship with the Lord.
They made the people transfer their money to the temple shekel, at a higher rate.
They told the people with animals they brought for sacrifice, those animals were not good enough, and offered to sell them another, at a higher rate.

Jesus had an encounter with Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman. It is interesting that the Samaritans believed because of his words, not the signs (Jn 4:41).

Perhaps Jesus rebuke dealt more with the word wonder than sign. The people were to look for signs of the Messiah. The prophets provided many proofs…some more spectacular than others. A wonder brings on an astonished reaction.

Did Jesus sigh as he commented that they would not believe without signs and wonders. It must have been refreshing in Samaria to see them so willing to believe him at his word.

The people in Capernaum welcomed him as an honored guest. (Jn 4:45). The news of the wedding wine in Cana and his works in Jerusalem had spread throughout the territory.

The official approached Jesus as a last resort. He believed Jesus could heal because of what had been said about him. Interesting that the man did not contradict Jesus when it came to the belief, he just persevered on getting his son healed. Perhaps he had moved from Jesus could heal to Jesus will heal in his belief.

So Jesus told him to go home and didn’t go with him. He said the son was healed. The official didn’t question anymore, he left confident that Jesus had healed his son.

We find two similar stories narratives.

Jairus’ daughter, Jesus went with him to his daughter’s side (Luke 8:40-56).
The centurion’s servant, “You don’t have to come, just say the word” (Luke 7:1-10).

He met his servants along the way, who confirmed the time, his healing occurred at the words of Jesus. He and his household believed in Jesus Christ.

I’m back to the original question, why did John call this a sign?

When Jesus turned the water into wine, only the servants, Mary and the disciples knew what happened.

When Jesus healed the boy, only the servants and official knew what had happened.

Perhaps the sign is in its simplicity. Jesus cared for and healed the son. He didn’t have to be physically present to make it happen. Will one believe without the elaborate miracle? We see later that many did not believe despite the elaborate miracles.

Thomas wanted to put his hand in Jesus’ side before he believed. Jesus said, Blessed are those who have not seen, yet believe.

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.

25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”

28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Jn 20:24–29.

This official’s belief was revealed through his actions. He went home, believing what Jesus had said. Only after he was on his way did he get confirmation of the healing.

What do you really believe about Jesus? How do your actions reveal that belief?

Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.

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