Unless you people see signs and wonders… (Sabong News)
Author
Manila Bulletin
Date
MARCH 28 2022
Given that the royal official, possibly a Gentile, does seek out Jesus for the sake of his son who is near death, we wonder at the harsh tone of Jesus’ words, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” Jesus has in mind people both in Galilee and Judea when he makes this criticism. These people want to see Jesus perform the spectacular, the miracles, and wonders. Yet for Jesus, miracles are not an end in themselves: they are “signs” that substantiate his claim that he comes from God and that he speaks with God’s authority. What is important is to believe in him and to heed his call to repentance, miracle or no miracle. The royal official believes in the power of Jesus’ words and is rewarded with the recovery of his son.
Thus says the Lord: Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind. Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create; For I create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight; I will rejoice in Jerusalem and exult in my people. No longer shall the sound of weeping be heard there, or the sound of crying; No longer shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not round out his full lifetime; He dies a mere youth who reaches but a hundred years, and he who fails of a hundred shall be thought accursed. They shall live in the houses they build, and eat the fruit of the vineyards they plant.
