What sign can you do?

Posted by on
John 6:30-35 If I wasn't in the same boat as these sinners following Jesus I would probably be laughing right in their face. I often wonder how Jesus kept from rolling on the grass laughing at what some people do. Today we hear the crowd ask Him, "What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do?..." Is this not the same crowd who in verse 2 we are told - "followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick ."? Are these not the same people who in verse 14 " when they saw the sign he had done, they said, "This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world."? Yet still they seek a sign. However, they are not seeking a sign so that they might believe, they are wanting to be fed. Jesus worked a "sign" with the loaves and the fishes and now they want Him to do it again. Wisely, Jesus is using their bellies to get to their hearts; He is using earthly things to move them,
0

The Amazing & Astonishing Jesus of Nazareth!

Posted by on
"Be quiet! Come out of him."
Today's Readings

When was the last time you were truly amazed and astonished?  Were you at a magic show?  Were you watching some great feat of athletic skill?  Were you reading a good book that touched something deep inside you?  Did you witness a real miracle?

We are all amazed and astonished at different times in our lives and for different reasons.  Just last night my youngest son was amazed and astonished to see this strange creature we call a Praying Mantis crawling over the playground equipment.

In today's Gospel the hearers of Jesus are amazed and astonished at his words.  They are astonished because He speaks with authority.  They were amazed because His words have power, even over the demons.

One group, however, is neither amazed nor astonished by Jesus words.  Rather, this group is simply obedient because they have no other choice.  Having been cast out of heaven long ago, they have no free-will and must therefore obey.  The demons are neither amazed nor astonished.  They know who He is and are fearful.

The question for us today is, "which group are we in?"  Are we amazed and astonished with each new reading of the scriptures?  Or, are we indifferent, since we suppose we "know" Jesus?  It would be good for us to regain some of that amazement and astonishment.  Let us look at some of Jesus' words and their effect...


"Be quiet! Come out of him!"  Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm. (Lk 4:35)

“I will do it. Be made clean.” His leprosy was cleansed immediately. (Mt 8:3)

“Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and it was restored as sound as the other. (Mt 12:13)

“Young man, I tell you, arise!”  The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.

It is also good for us to keep in mind that we, mankind, out of all creation, are the only beings that can ignore, be indifferent to, and even disobey the words of Jesus.  Angels worship him, they chose to long ago.  Demons obey him, their free-will is gone.  Even inanimate material obeys the power of His words - wind and waves stop, water becomes wine, and bread and wine become His body and blood...by the power and authority of His words.

Lord, give us the sense of amazement and astonishment at your words today.  May we look at them with fresh eyes and may they change us to be more like you!

Comments

Post a Comment