Today’s reading is John 4.
Jesus traveled back into Galilee and came once again to Cana where He had turned the water to wine. John goes out of his way to remind us of that first sign in Cana. He even connects the two by telling them in such a way he can call turning the water to wine Jesus’s first sign and the sign we are about to discuss His second, not because they were Jesus’s first and second signs ever or even the first and second signs demonstrated in the book, but because they were the first and second in Cana of Galilee. John is clearly providing a rhetorical connection to grab our attention and prompt our meditation.
In this second sign, Jesus learns of an official’s son who is at the very point of death. If something isn’t done immediately, the boy will die. Instead of calling a crowd together, leading an entourage to the boy, making a grand display, and then presenting the boy in perfect health, Jesus simply tells the man to go home and find a healed son. That is precisely what the man does.
Why does our author go to great lengths to connect this sign with the water turned to wine. I admit, I don’t believe it is because he is encouraging us to count the signs and discover how many there are in the book, whether you want to count to seven or ten or potentially eleven. John draws attention to these two signs in particular by numbering only them. Why? Because John is still introducing us to the new Moses, the one who performs signs like Moses and is The Prophet coming into the world.
Recall, the first sign corresponded to and contrasted with Moses turning the water to blood, the first plague on Egypt. This sign now corresponds to and contrasts with the tenth plague, death of the firstborn. Between these two signs, John encapsulates in Jesus the great signs and wonders of Moses. Moses’s sign brought death to the healthy firstborn in Egypt, Jesus’s sign brought life to this man’s all but dead son. Which is greater? Which would you prefer to come into your home?
Don’t misunderstand. The point is not Moses was bad and Jesus is good. The point is Moses is incredible, Jesus is even better. It’s hard to do better than Moses. It’s hard to do better than the Law God gave Israel through Moses. In fact, only one other person in all history did better. Jesus.
Will you turn to Jesus? Jesus is the only one who brings life. Jesus is the only one who will lead you to resurrection. Will you follow Him? Can we help you give your allegiance to Him? Let us know by hitting the contact button at the top of the page.
Next week’s reading is John 5.
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PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family
What do you want to share with others from John 4?
Read the Bible 