Hiding Behind Miracles
Rev. Enoch Thompson | April 11, 2024 | John 6:29-34
KEY VERSE:
So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? John 6:30 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
When we want to avoid responding to the invitations and confrontations of God, we can put up all kinds of barriers. For the Jewish people, it was the barrier to the demand for miracles. The Lord had just performed a miracle, for which they were searching for Him to make Him king. Here now they stand asking Him to show them miraculous evidence for the faith commitment that He was making of them.
Later on, in the spread of Christianity, the Apostle Paul would testify of the Jews in 1 Cor 1:22-24 (NIV) “²² Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, ²⁴ but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” The Jews because of their history of God’s miraculous interventions hid behind miracles in responding to God. At the same time, the Greeks because of their cultural heritage tried to understand and submit to God through the lenses of philosophy (wisdom).
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
In what ways is your race, culture, past experiences, learning etc., keeping you from responding to God in simple child-like faith? If we allow barriers to come up, they will keep us from coming to God on His terms and enjoying our walk with Him.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, I am sorry that I have allowed things and people to stand in my way to come to you and walk with you. Please help me to break free of my self-imposed barriers, and to believe, simply. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: MIRACULOUS SIGNS In John 6:30, the people ask Jesus for a "miraculous sign" to prove His authority and divine mission. This phrase is translated from the Greek words "σημεῖον" (sēmeion) and "θαυμάζω" (thaumazō).
The term "σημεῖον" (sēmeion) refers to a sign or token that indicates something beyond itself. It often denotes a miraculous or extraordinary event that serves as evidence of God's power or a divine message. In this context, the people are asking Jesus to perform a miraculous sign as a demonstration of His authority as the Messiah.
The verb "θαυμάζω" (thaumazō) means to marvel, wonder, or be amazed. Here, it indicates the people's desire to see something astonishing or extraordinary from Jesus. In the context of John 6:30, the people are seeking further evidence or validation of Jesus' claims, particularly in light of His recent feeding of the five thousand. They seem to be looking for another miraculous act like the one Moses performed when he provided manna in the wilderness. However, Jesus challenges them to focus on the spiritual significance of His teachings rather than seeking mere signs and wonders.
Jesus acknowledges their request but redirects their attention away from physical signs to the deeper spiritual truths He offers. He emphasizes that belief in Him is the true sign they should seek, as it leads to eternal life. Reflections: Do you find yourself seeking signs or tangible proofs of God's presence and power in your life? How can you cultivate a deeper faith that is rooted not in external signs but in the person and teachings of Jesus Christ?
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