The People Saw the Sign He Had Done April 20

So now I tell you, have nothing to do with these men, and let them go. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:38-39

So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” John 6:13-14

Piety

Jesus, just as you long to dwell within us, we long to dwell in your house forever. Help us to be focused on the activities which you want us to see, to believe, and to understand. When we focus on these signs that you perform, then we will recognize you as the Prophet who has come into the world to save us. Amen.

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/042007.shtml

How can the Sanhedrin possibly not have known about the miracles performed by Jesus? After all that Jesus did and all the signs he performed, what possible purpose was served when all the people forgot what they had seen? What possible purpose could these miracles serve if those who saw and believed did not come to Jesus side when he was in need and was being accused by the officials of the church and state.

Just consider how many people witnessed the miracle recounted today. There were 5,000 or more people who personally witnessed the miracle of the loaves and the fishes. They were not alone. Sometimes, entire villages and other times, small crowds witnessed the other signs Jesus performed.

Many Jews had to witness Jesus curing the man who had been ill for 38 years. After being cured, the man told the Jews about Jesus and his cure. There was a “crowd” there filled with more witnesses of Jesus signs. (John 5)

Curing the ill son of the Roman official in Capernaum also was a sign revealed to the friends and family of the official and to the Jews who heard Christ address the man when he turned to Jesus. Again, this sign was not a secret. More witnesses. Did they forget or just not stand up for what they had seen?

In Cana in Galilee, Jesus performed his first miracle turning water into wine. In those days, such a wedding feast was probably witnessed by the whole village. All of these people would have been talking about the miracle performed there when the wine steward spoke of what happened as they ran out of the wine to serve guests.

There were neighbors and more witnesses after the beggar who was blind from birth were cured by Jesus. Yet, despite the facts before them, the Pharisees could only focus on the fact that once again, Jesus performed a sign on the Sabbath.

Finally, Jesus had more witnesses to his miracles when he raised Lazarus from the dead. There was a “crowd” with Mary and Martha as they were mourning the passing of their brother. Jesus proclaimed in front of the crowd, (John 11:41-42 ): “Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me.”

Although he had performed so many signs in their presence they did not believe in him, in order that the word which Isaiah the prophet spoke might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed our preaching, to whom has the might of the Lord been revealed?” For this reason they could not believe, because again Isaiah said: “He blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they might not see with their eyes and understand with their heart and be converted, and I would heal them.” (John 12:37-40)

If these activities had been of human origin, they would have faded from memory. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.” But the signs were from God. Records of these miracles have been preserved and passed on. The stories did not die out but were carried forth, preserved and multiplied in the ministry of the apostles who were sent forth to carry on the work.

Action

What signs has the Lord performed to get your attention? How have you reacted?