Signs – John 20:30

John 20:30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.

I have been thinking about the Kingdom of God lately, and what it is supposed to look like right now. If all humans were performing at their absolute highest potential, what would we be accomplishing? I think about the development of the COVID 19 vaccines in such a short timespan, using multiple companies and thousands of people, and I wonder if we came together to solve things like heart disease and cancer, which by the way killed three times more people in the USA last year than the virus, what could we accomplish!

John’s gospel records Jesus signs, those miracles that point to a reality beyond our current reality. Disease is eradicated, injury is healed, death is conquered, and relationships are restored. I am wondering what other things would be present if the Kingdom was fully present and active.

The text today mentions the “many other signs” that Jesus did. My mind ponders, “Were they just more of the same, or did other aspects of the Kingdom get displayed?” But that just leaves me with more questions. What are the other aspects of the Kingdom that are still missing from this world?

One aspect I know this world could use much more of deals with interpersonal conflict. The Kingdom includes peace with God and peace with each other. I know that peace between Believers is a reality already. There are never any disagreements among Believers that creates a schism. All Christians get along in unity, or do they?

Are we known as bringers of peace? Do the waters calm when we enter a situation, or do they get stirred up? And who does the stirring? Do we stir it up?

And what about those who aren’t Believers. Do we help bring peace to them? I know this is a secondary effect, one over which we have limited control, but we do have some influence. Are we using our influence to bring a greater level of peace in all circumstances with all peoples?

Does our level of honesty and integrity infect those around us, our coworkers, our bosses, our supervisors? It should. We are to be salt and light. If our different conduct doesn’t change the environments in which we regularly interact, then maybe we aren’t as salty or as bright as we are supposed to be.

How high is the level of joy in your life? Are you always singing the Blues? Do complaints and discontent seem to be the flavor of your interactions? Or do you tend to see Jesus’ lordship evident in the events of your life and of the world? It has been easy to sing the Blues this past year. But isn’t it time to put on a different album?

What were those signs Jesus performed? What are the signs of God’s Kingdom that are evident in our lives? They should be there! “Greater signs” are the fruit of Jesus’ presence in our life.