HomeSSLessons2024d Themes in the Gospel of John2024d Teaching Helps1: Signs That Point the Way – Teaching Plan    

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1: Signs That Point the Way – Teaching Plan — 1 Comment

  1. The gospel of John is a book of signs that we may believe that Jesus is the predicted Messiah, the Son of God, and that believing, we may have live in his name. (John 20:31) These signs are pointing so some salvation event performed by Christ.

    The miracle of changing water into wine is the first sign that Jesus did, revealing his glory in and through that miracle-sign. If this sign was pointing to some salvation event, what sin-saving event might that be?

    The ultimate point of salvation by faith and grace is eternal life, as pointed out above. (John 20:31) Considering this connecting link, we are reminded of a sermon that Jesus preached, declaring that he is the bread of life having come down from heaven to give life to the world. (John 6:33) The prior context shows Jesus performing a miracle-sign feeding five thousand peopel with five loaves of bread. The passover was at hand with Jesus as the passover lamb. (John 6:4;John 1:29) Looking closely at the passage, we notice that Jesus is acting a sign by using the formula of the later Institution of the Lord`s Supper. (John 6:11; Mark 14:22)

    At the end of his sermon, Jesus has the Lord`s Supper in view, he instituted prior to his death at the cross in connection with eternal life as the ultimate point that these miracle- signs are pointing to: Unless you eate the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eates my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at he last day. (John 6:53-54)

    Thus, the miracle-sign of changing water into wine as the very first sign of Jesus, is pointing to the Lord`s Supper as the ultimate salvation event, cleansing us by the blood of Christ within and not just without by the water in the stone jars at the wedding.

    Winfried Stolpmann

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At a camp meeting 40 years later, I happened to see Dr. I. demonstrating some kind of health product, if I remember correctly. (In my mind, I see only the image of him, much older, but still looking much like he did when I was a student, with a friend by my side.) I lingered a little but did not introduce myself. I briefly wondered whether he recognized me. I’m fairly sure that I was as recognizable to him as he was to me.

Had he changed? Or did he still feel superior in his “humility”? Should I talk to him? I didn’t know how to approach him, and was busy with friends. I still don’t know whether I should have said something. (Maybe I’m just a coward.)

If God wants him to see my story, his and my identity are clear enough in this post, that God can direct him to it.