The Seven Signs of John’s Gospel
Question: Why did John use these seven signs?
Answer: The point to Jesus’ divine nature.
Ø Sign One: Turns water into wine. (John 2: 1-12) It points to Jesus as the source of life.
Ø Sign Two: Heals a nobleman’s son. (John 4: 46-54) It shows Jesus is a master of distances.
Ø Sign Three: He heals a lame man at the pool of Bethesda. It proves Jesus is master over time.
Ø Sign Four: Jesus feeds the 5,000. (John 6: 1-14) It shows Jesus is the bread of life.
Ø Sign Five: Jesus walks on water and stills the storm. (John 6: 15-21) It points to Jesus as the master over nature.
Ø Sign Six: Jesus heals a blind man from birth. (John 9: 1-41) It shows Jesus is the light of the world.
Ø Sign Seven: Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. (John 11: 17-45) It proves that Jesus has power over death.
John writes his gospel with a specific purpose: He writes about Jesus’ ministry that the three other gospels leave out. He gives a deeper insight into the “mystery” of Jesus’ ministry as both God and man. He, in my eyes, qualifies his gospel from the perspective of an eye witness, as a scholar of Jewish life, and as a leader of great influence in the early church. John was one of three in Jesus’ inner circle. He is also known as the one that Jesus loved.
The number seven is a key number in John’s gospel. For example: He uses it as seven primary signs or miracles, seven discourses or teachings, and seven “I am” claims. These all testify to whom Jesus really is – the Son of God, the Messiah, and God in the flesh. Seven is the number of perfection or completion. It is found more times in the bible than any other. John also uses it many times in the Book of Revelation, showing it to be book of fulfillment.
As we can see, John specifically chose these seven signs to point to the perfection and completeness of Christ and his divine nature.
So why did John use these seven signs and miracles of Jesus. Each one points to the divinity of Christ as God, Christ the Messiah, and man (God in the flesh). Each sign has a specific meaning in explaining the complete and perfect Gospel that leads us to faith in Him, believing in Him, and realizing he is the only way to salvation and eternal life.
In the first sign of turning the water into wine, it shows that Jesus is the source of life. It also is shown as a part of the newness theme that John points to in his opening chapters. (Refer to new wine John 2: 1-11, new temple John 2: 14-22, new birth John 3: 1-8, and new life John 4: 4-26. John’s goal of using the wine miracle may be perceived as revealing Jesus as the creator (John 2:9) and his glory to inspire his disciples to put their faith in Him as God’s Son. (John 2: 11 and John 20:31.
The second sign John uses to show Jesus is in fact master over distances. It also shows and tells us to believe on the miracle worker Jesus (God in the flesh) and not just marvel at the miracle performed. When the nobleman came to Jesus in Galilee, he asked Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son. Instead of making the journey to Capernaum, Jesus tells the nobleman, “Go thy way, thy son liveth.” This proves Jesus’ deity over long distances as his own son was healed the same time as Jesus telling the father to go, his son lives! It tells us to have faith, focus on Jesus, and believe.
The third sign shows that Jesus is also a master over time. This man that Jesus healed had a sickness or infirmity for thirty-eight years. Time was no obstacle for Jesus. Jesus spoke and the man was instantly healed.
The fourth sign proves to us that Jesus is the bread of life. It shows us that with Jesus in our heart, in our life, he alone is the one that nourishes and sustains our spiritual life.
The fifth sign shows us his divinity with power over nature. Jesus walks on the water and he tells the raging seas to be still. All immediately goes calm.
The sixth sign portrays Jesus as the light of the world. The term “day” in scripture can be construed as life (light) while “night” refers to death (darkness). We only go through the world once and I believe John is emphasizing for us to choose the light in what we do, OR, our life will have eternal consequences.
The seventh sign shows us the absolute power Jesus has over death. This is affirmation to us that Jesus is life and we will only live through him.
In summary, John shows us without a doubt that Jesus is God, Jesus is the Messiah (Christ), and that Jesus is God in the flesh (man). All of these seven signs point directly to his divine nature. John has proved that beyond any doubt and has taught us that truth beyond any question.
Father, I thank you for this study of John and for giving me the understanding and knowledge of the symbolism of these miracles Jesus performed. All praise, honor, and glory be to you Lord! Amen.
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