TODAY’S
WORD FOR TUESDAY JULY 16, 2013.
SIGNS
DEFINITION:
Something
material or external that stands for or signifies something spiritual; divinely
ordained event pointing to something larger or more important; miracle.
SCRIPTURE:
And
truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are
not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus
is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His
name. John 20:30-31.
KNOWLEDGE
AND EXPERIENCE:
Recently
we have received many e-mails asking us if there are signs or miracles in the
scriptures that would help them know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus is
God. We have many wonderful new friends that we have heard from in third world
countries that are besieged with false teachings and they especially need this
devotional to encourage them in their faith.
In
the book of John, the author John records seven signs or miracles that prove
the deity of Jesus Christ. The word "SIGNS" in the gospel of John is
the key that unlocks the door to our understanding of the good news of the
gospel. In this gospel of John there are signs in the form of miracles, powers,
wonders, and of words. John's purpose was twofold: First, that we may believe
that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God. Secondly, that by believing we may
have life in His name.
Following
are the seven signs or miracles that John recorded for us to prove the deity of
Jesus Christ:
• Jesus turned water into wine to
prove His power to create. (John 2:1-11)
• Jesus healed the Nobleman's son to
prove His power to prolong life. (John 4:46-54)
• Jesus healed a sick man at the pool
of Bethesda to prove His power to give life. (John 5:1-18)
• Jesus fed the five thousand with a
lad's lunch to prove His power to supply the necessities of life. (John 6:1-14)
• Jesus walked on the water to prove
His power to protect life. (John 6:15-21)
• Jesus gave sight to a blind beggar
to prove His power to illuminate life. (John 9:1-4)
• Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead
to prove His power to re-create life. (John 11:38-44)
In
John 20:28 we read probably the most heartfelt confession of faith ever uttered
or written. When Thomas saw Jesus after His death and resurrection he said:
"MY LORD AND MY GOD."
These
words spoken to Jesus by Thomas were a declaration of Jesus divinity and deity.
Thomas recognized that Jesus was who He said He was, the Son of God.
The
words "MY LORD" indicate his full commitment to Jesus. The words
"MY GOD" indicate his intellectual conviction that Jesus is God.
Saving faith demands total commitment to Christ as Lord and Master and
intellectual conviction that He is the God-Man.
LEARNING:
Our
memory verse for this week is found in Luke 9:23.
And
He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny
himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”
PRAYER:
I
praise You dear Lord that You are my Savior, my God and my Redeemer. Thank You
for the many illustrations that are given in Your Word that assures me that my
faith is real. Thank You for the signs that You send my way that keep me aware
that You are with me always in all that I do.
