Signs are Truly Signs

Scripture: Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again." Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to Him." Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake." John 12:28b-30

Observation: As Jesus publicly prays for the glorification of the Lord, the Lord audibly answers. All the people hear it, yet cannot quite understand its meaning. Some explain it away entirely as a natural phenomenon. Others ascribe it not to God but to an angel. Jesus ... addresses neither explanation of the source, and instead discusses the purpose. The purpose was NOT to speak or respond to him, but to provide evidence of his relationship with God and thus reinforce their faith in his status as Messiah, which is exactly the topic about which they had been seeking clarity when asking about the death of the 'son of man'.

In this manner, Jesus demonstrated the proper conversation when it comes to the existence of God, and the nature of faith in him. God is willing to present proof that he exists, as his speaking from heaven indicates. The purpose of such proof is to re-enforce faith. However, there are at least three responses from people.

The faithless reject that what has happened has anything to do with God. They pass it off as nature or coincidence, effectively rejecting the possibility that a all-powerful creator even commands nature. Others recognize a supernatural occurrence but find options for discussing it that either minimize God or Jesus. Maybe they attribute it to alternative gods. Maybe they credit lesser beings. Maybe they acknowledge God but without a relationship to a plan of salvation by faith in a Messiah. However ...

Application: Believers - including myself - actually hear and see events as the actions of the Lord, and thus can understand their basic meaning (if not sometimes their grand design). This is certainly how and why John recorded the actual words of God. Believers attribute the event to God, and know to relate that to God's outreach to others to solicit their faith in Jesus, and receive the free gift of eternal life, directly out of his love for them. As Jesus taught, we see such actions as being for the benefit not of God himself, but the benefit of others, and especially for non-believers, so that they may be curious or stirred to seek and find faith in Jesus.

God does not bring worldwide plagues, however he does use the nature of the world to attempt to point others to Jesus. I believe those who don't believe - whether they don't have faith in Jesus, or they reject any and all concept of Yahweh - are being mentally and emotionally moved during this crisis.

I would desire the opportunity to help them plainly understand the movement of the Lord in these days. I may not understand every word, but I can shine a light back to Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your signs and wonders, not because they announce your existence, but because they demonstrate your love for everyone. May I point others to you at all times, as best as my flawed self is able. Amen.