John 4:48 Signs and wonders_

“Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.” John‬ ‭4:48‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

As a young Bible College student, I read this as criticism. A person with sufficient, or even abundant, faith would not need a sign or a wonder to believe. Boy, how that motivated me to achieve a super-faith — which has its own dangers.

Let’s look at this in context. Of all men, the disciples had the most intimate view of Christ. They saw the signs an wonders and heard marvelous things. Three of them even had a view of his his glory when he was transfigured. Yet, all of them stumbled in faith at the cross. We all need help with our faith, even the best among us! In this story a man of reputation has a sick son and he’s heard of this healer. He’s asking for help. Is it reasonable that someone, anyone, should simply have faith that a sick person can be made well, without compelling action? If I read this verse as Jesus’ criticism of his request, that’s what I must believe.

When I look at Jesus’ interaction with the Jews, unbelief was their biggest obstacle. To inspire faith and demonstrate it in deed, to convince those nearby of his authority and that he in fact was the Messiah was his biggest mission. And it started with those closest to him.

For a moment, take the words at their face value. Dismiss the idea that Jesus intended any criticism. What is he saying? In order for you to believe, you must see signs and wonders. And, by the way, I have one for you. I’ve just healed your son. Go on your way. Funny thing was, the man had NOT seen the signs and wonders and he did believe. Then he found out from his attendants that the healing took place at exactly the same time that Jesus pronounced he was healed. His boy was well! What do you think he believed at this point? I firmly believe he had an encounter with God. And after Christ was raised from the dead he became one of the earliest Jewish followers.

It’s easy to be a smug believer and claim superior faith in God. “My faith is not weak, and doesn’t need signs and wonders.” But what about the faith of those of us that are not so self-sufficient? We need to know he is who he says he is. Paul made it clear that the message of the Gospel is birthed in the power of God, in miracles:

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. 1 Corinthians‬ ‭2:4-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Jesus relied on these signs and miracles as a witness to who he was:

Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. John‬ ‭14:10-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

The miraculous is an essential part of our experience as believers.

To remove one of the foundations of our faith is not only crazy, it is fundamentally unsound and anti-biblical. Why are the Bible stories so incredible to me? Because our God parted a Red Sea, He caused water to erupt in the wilderness for a thirsty nation, He made the sun to stand still, He brought victory to a nation at the hand of Gideon’s 300, He rescued men from flames, a lion’s den, sickness, raised up a dead girl, turned water into wine… and I could go on. Our God created you and me. He is a miracle-working God.

So let’s talk about today. Are you a miracle working believer? Do you experience his supernatural presence? If not, I’d like to suggest that you may be sidestepping the history and heritage that we have as sons and daughters of God.

Jesus said:

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John‬ ‭14:12-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Miracles and signs are not for the weak in faith. In fact, if you haven’t seen signs and wonders, you are missing a faith-cementing, emboldening experience that establishes your faith without a doubt. This perspective sheds new light on what Jesus said: “Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe.”

Our Heavenly Father is a supernatural God. As you get close to him, and know Him as a son or daughter, you should expect to experience Him. He is personal. He leads, guides, provides, and with Him, all things are possible.