Day #105 - Signs Don’t Save
The Presence - A Devotional for Living in Thanksgiving, Worship and Wonder
“Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.”
John 2:23-25 NIV
Are you a fan or a follower?
Many preachers have used that question and drawn a line between being a fan of Jesus versus being a follower of Jesus. Many people in the life and ministry of Jesus admired Him for the healing and miracles but would only follow Him to a point of their own convenience. Its easy to be a fan. When the crowd likes Jesus you join in, but only as long as it is hassle free. Being a follower of Jesus is costly. It can cost you acceptance, convenience, popularity or time. Being a person of “the Presence” means you have to go deeper than being a fan and be a true follower.
In yesterday’s writing, Jesus doing a sign of turning water into wine revealed the glory of God and brought the disciples to a place of faith in Him. But later in John 2 its says that Jesus did signs during Passover in Jerusalem and many people believed in His name. But then we learn that it wasn’t true belief because Jesus would not entrust himself to them. He knew what was in the people. They were fans and their belief only went as deep as the signs but didn’t bring them to the heart of the Savior.
Signs don’t save, Jesus does. Signs release glory and give people a reason to believe but they are signs and they are supposed to point to something or someone that we follow. The sign isn’t the end goal with Jesus. I disagree that signs, wonders and miracles are at odds with faith and trust in Christ, but they can’t stand alone.
Jesus is looking for a people that love Him and want to know Him beyond the things that He does for us. Oh, He will continue to do miracles and there is nothing wrong with needing one, believing for one or asking Him for one. But where does your faith end? Does it end if there are no signs or power? Or do you love Him for who He is? Do you want to connect to His heart?
Jesus is looking to entrust Himself to those who want to know Him and care about the things of His heart. Those of “the Presence” are thankful for signs, but they know the source of signs is who saves.
Signs don’t save, they point to the One who does. Follow the signs to His heart.
Lord Jesus, I want to be one of those who You can entrust Your heart to. Thank you for the signs that release your glory in my life, but I want to follow the One to whom the signs are pointing. They are from You and they are pointing to You. More than what You do, I love You and want to know You more for who You are. I choose to follow You no matter the cost. In Your name, amen.
I was thinking about the cost this morning. Running through a litany of tragedies, trials, and tribulations Bill and I have and continue to go through. About 27 years ago, our son Brian, at 22 weeks in utero, died in the womb. I asked if they could take him from me, but they said I had to deliver him. Throughout the induction, the words I kept saying over and over again were "no matter what it costs, I choose to glorify You". I meant it then, and I mean it now.
I did ask God for one thing in exchange for Brian's life; that He would draw people to Himself as He is lifted up in my life. I don't remember for sure whether I asked for 10,000 salvations or 100,000.
Brian is with Jesus interceeding on our behalf and God is causing the increase. Bless you mega much as we stand together believing our Father for His outpouring, power unto salvation and might!
I will follow Jesus no matter the cost. 🙏🏻♥️