His Disciples Believed in Him
by Hugh DeLong
As you end this gospel, John writes: “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-31).
These attesting signs and wonders began with Jesus turning water into wine. It was something that was in a public setting, with at least the servants knowing what had happened – they poured water into these huge pots, but when they immediately drew some out, it was wine.
What follows in the telling of this story as recorded by John:
- Turning water into wine at Cana (John 2:1–11). John calls this “the beginning of His signs” (John 2:11).
- Healing the royal official’s son at Capernaum, from a distance (John 4:46–54). John calls this “the second sign” (John 4:54).
- Healing the man lame for 38 years at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1–9).
- Feeding the five thousand (John 6:1–14).
- Walking on the water (John 6:16–21). In John 6:21, the boat also reaches land immediately.
- Healing the man born blind (John 9:1–7).
- Raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1–44).
There were, of course, some other supernatural events such as his knowledge of Nathanael under the fig tree (John 1:47–50) and of the Samaritan woman’s history (John 4:16–19).
John then adds the ‘many other signs’ that are not recorded in this book. The one sign that becomes paramount in our understanding is his resurrection from the dead (John 20:1-10)! By this He was declared to be the Son of God. The disciples, upon seeing the first one, believed in Him.
We, having read all of this, are confronted with the choice: do I believe in Him as the Son of God, or do I deny the testimony of all who witnessed these events? What is your choice?
