Where are signs today?
JOE MILLER JR.

John 21:1-19

In the gospel of John the writer refers to Jesus' miracles as signs. The first sign is the providing of wine for a wedding in Cana. This may seem like a trivial or unimportant sign, but not according to John: "Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him."

The writer reveals what he considers the purpose behind the various signs that Jesus will perform. They are meant to reveal to his disciples who he is and to cause them to believe in him. The fascinating thing about these signs is that the Jewish religious leadership never gets it. Throughout the narrative they continue to ask Jesus for a sign to prove his authority, and they fail to see the signs he does perform.

Even when he raises Lazarus from the dead, which is an awesome, divine sign, they conspire to kill Jesus and Lazarus both. Perhaps these signs are in the eyes of the beholder (or believer). Some people see the signs and believe and others do not.

Of course, one might say that back in those days Jesus performed many signs, but what about today? Jesus has been raised from the dead and is back in heaven at the right hand of the Father; hence, there are no more signs to be seen.

John faced this same mistaken belief among his church. He wrote his gospel account somewhere around 90 AD, and Jesus was raised from the dead some 60 years earlier. Therefore, his church began to lose faith just like we do today. Yet, this story that he tells contains an important message about signs. Not only does Jesus make a post-resurrection appearance to the disciples who have been fishing all night, he also performs some signs for them. They make a huge catch of fish, and the nets do not break. Both events are genuine signs. He also serves them a meal just like he did at the Last Supper before he was crucified.

John is reminding his church that Jesus is still with us and still very capable of producing signs when he chooses to do so.

Signs, Signs, Everywhere There's Signs was a song produced by the Five Man Electrical Band in 1971. While this group was referring to a different sort of signs, their song rings true. Where are the signs today? The negative signs are easy to find, just turn on the news and catch the story about the killings at Virginia Tech that took place last week. But what about the awesome, divine signs of a living savior and Lord in our midst?

What did Jesus tell Peter right after these events? He told him three different times to "feed my sheep." Today there are divine signs anywhere the church is tending Jesus' sheep. Peter said that he loved Jesus, but to love Jesus he was commanded to feed Jesus' sheep. One cannot truly love Jesus unless one feeds Jesus' sheep. If you want to see the signs in this age being performed by Jesus, go to where his sheep are being fed. Of course, today, just like in Jesus' day, some people see the signs and believe, and some do not. Do you see the signs?

Do you consider yourself a Christian? Are you feeding Jesus' sheep? The best place to begin fulfilling that mission is at church. If you have a church, worship passionately. If you do not have a church, find one. East Texas is full of good churches. Email me at newtonumc@valornet.com with your thoughts.

Joe Miller Jr. is pastor of First United Methodist Church in Newton.