Relevant Verses: John 2:1–11; 4:46–54; 5:1– 5:1–47

Theme: Follow the Signs

Leading Question: When was the last time you felt a subtle nudge to do something?

There are signs everywhere, from the traffic signs that tell you how to act on the road, signs directing you in an airport, and signs telling you the name of streets and stores. If you’re hungry, you look for the sign of your favorite place to eat. If you’re lost, you try finding a sign telling you where you are and how you can get to where you want to go. But signs don’t work in a vacuum. If you’re not paying attention, you won’t see them. Also, if you’re focused on something specific, you may overlook other signs that would be obvious to you.

Question: Do you believe in mysterious or symbolic signs? Are these signs real? Should you follow them?

John’s Gospel is selective.

John’s Gospel is unique.

• John’s Gospel has a point of view different from the other Synoptic Gospels
• materials are selected and arranged in a particular order
• emphasis is on specific aspects, events, etc., while minimizing or excluding others

John’s Gospel is for contemporary readers.
The Gospel has in view primarily those living in the second century AD who would receive this text, those who had not been part of the life of the earthly Jesus. Thus, the Gospel was written for us, and
it addresses us as readers. It insists on being read or heard. That is how it will achieve its goal.

John’s Gospel has a purpose.
John’s Gospel is intended “so that you may believe.” Throughout this Gospel, the word “faith” is never used. John consistently uses the verb “to believe,” as the exchange between the teacher Jesus and his followers is never something that can be obtained, accomplished, or owned. It’s a relationship that never ends or only gets deeper over time. It’s a love relationship, a friendship that can’t stand still without becoming stagnant. … Since the Gospel is supposed to mediate, facilitate, and sustain this relationship, reading it regularly is necessary. Just as lovers or friends never stop talking even after they have shared all the “news,” so too are Jesus and his followers engaged in a continuous conversation that is mediated by the Gospel text, much like letters and phone calls moderate conversations between friends who are physically apart. The evangelist assumes that we will read and reread the Gospel. This is how our relationship with the Gospel will change and grow.

John’s Gospel is well-organized.

John’s Gospel is filled with themes and symbols built on the number 7.

7 titles for Jesus:

1. Lamb of God (1:29)
2. Son of God (1:34)
3. Rabbi (1:38)
4. Messiah (1:41)
5. Jesus of Nazareth (1:45)
6. King of Israel (1:49)
7. Son of Man (1:51)

7 “I AM” statements:

1. I am the bread of life (6:35)
2. I am the light of the world (8:12)
3. I am the gate (10:7)
4. I am the Good Shepherd (10:11)
5. I am the resurrection (11:25)
6. I am the way, the truth, and the life (14:6)
7. I am the true vine (15:1)

7 signs:

1. Water into wine (2:1-11)
2. Healing of the official’s son (4:46-54)
3. The healing by the pool (5:1-15)
4. Feeding of the five thousand (6:1-15)
5. Walking on water (6:16-21)
6. Healing of the blind man (9:1-41)
7. Raising of Lazarus (11:1-45)

John presents Jesus’ miracles in a significantly different way than the Synoptic Gospels do (Matthew, Mark, Luke). In John, the term “signs” (semeia) is used instead of “wonders” or “miracles” to describe these events.

Question: Why does John write about signs instead of miracles? What do the signs signify for Jesus’ministry?

Jesus expressed an earthy, semiotic theology by materializing his message through various media, including images, stories, actions (stilled storms, healed limbs), and objects like spit, fig trees, bursting baskets, etc. He was a master semiotician. You might even say that Jesus’ ministry was more a semiotics ministry than a preaching, teaching, or healing ministry. (Leonard Sweet, Nudge: Awakening Each Other to the God Who’s Already There) (Semiotics is the study of signs and symbols and the communication of meaning)

The signs indicate that Jesus is a messenger from the Father. However, some challenge or even “test” Jesus and are exposed as unbelieving or unable to interpret what the signs mean.

New Testament professor Paul N. Anderson (George Fox University), writes in his book, The Riddles of
the Fourth Gospel, about the puzzles we are confronted with in this Gospel. One of the most notable
aspects is how it presents the signs of Jesus as both “diminished and embellished” (p. 31-32):

One one hand,

• Jesus’ signs lead people to believe in him (2:11, 23; 4:53; 6:2, 14; 11:15, 45, 48; 12:11, 18-19; 20:30-31). John includes what is arguably the greatest of Jesus’ miracles—the raising of Lazarus from the dead as a sign act (11:1-45).
• The performing of signs is to confirm that Jesus has been sent from God (3:2; 7:31; 9:16; 10:41-42)

On the other hand,

• Dependence on signs is rebuked (4:48; 6:26), and belief without having seen Jesus’ signs is called
  “blessed” (20:29)
• Those presented as desiring a sign before believing are labeled as non-believing in John (2:18; 6:30), and some refuse to believe despite Jesus’ signs (12:37).

Question: What do you make of someone who gives mixed signals?

Question: How do the conflicting messages about Jesus’ signs lead one “to belief” in Him (John 20:30)?