Daily Bread - 05/21/07
John 2:11 - This Jesus did as the beginning of his signs in Cana of Galilee and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed on Him.
John's favorite word for the works of Jesus was signs (semeion), rather than wonders (teras) or powers (dunamus), which primarily convey the same message. In Acts 2:22 the ministry of Jesus was describes as one of mighty works (dunamis), wonders (teras), and signs (semeion). Signs are something that should regularly be seen among the people of God; for as one theologian commented, "signs are the fingerprints of God." Signs (semeion) are commonly translated miracles and these miracles are a revelation that the Kingdom of God has come (Matthew 12:28). They are a part of the gospel because the gospel is the good news of deliverance.
The only way that people can be delivered from sin, sickness, disease, and sufferings is through a miracle (John 6:2; 12:17-18; Mark 16:17; Matthew 12:28; Matthew 4:23-24; 8:16; 9:35; 12:15; 14:14; 15:30; 19:2; John 20:30). Signs are done to reveal the glory of Jesus (John 2:11; 3:2; John 5:20). Through the ministry of signs, many are enabled to believe the gospel (John 2:11,23; 4:48,53; 6:2,14; 7:31; 9:16,35; 12:18; Acts 8:6; 9:35, 42). Yet signs were not done (and should not be done) for the skeptics and for those who attempted to manipulate Jesus (Luke 23:8; Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 8:11-12; Matthew 16:1-4, 12:39; Luke 11:16; John 6:30). Signs are an important part of the ministry of the church and the testimony of the believers (Mark 16:17,20; Luke 10:17-19; 1 Corinthians 12:4,28; Acts 2:43; 5:12; 6:8; 8:6,13; 14:3; 15:12; John 14:12). Signs were also an important dimension of the revelation of God in the Old Testament as well (Exodus 4:8,9,17,28,30; 7:3; 10:1,2; 14:11; 16:15; 17:6; Deuteronomy 4:34; 6:22; 7:19; 8:15; 26:8; Psalms 78:24, 43). Moses was so involved in the miracles of God that he stood before a rock wall and commanded water come out. Joshua, who was privileged to live in the company of those who were in expectation of miracles, commanded the sun and the moon to stand still and they obeyed him. Let us say that we are in expectation of a miracle every day and then engage in the miracles by stepping out with the actions of faith.
Expect a Miracle Today!
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
About Me
- Carol L
- San Diego area, California, United States
- I started this blog back in 2005, but in 2006 began dedicating it solely for the purpose of posting email messages called, Daily Bread, sent out Monday through Saturday by my pastor, Mark Spitsbergen. These daily emails contain fresh revelation that Mark gets from the Word of God by the Holy Spirit for that day for the church that God has called him to pastor, Abiding Place. 1 Peter 4:11 says, "If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister let him do it as of the ability which God gives that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen." Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, (John 14:6), and He says, "The words that I speak to you are Spirit, and they are Life." (John 6:63). For the Word of God is quick (alive), and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12).
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