“Now this was the second sign Jesus did when he came to Galilee from Judea.” In today’s Gospel Jesus performs a second sign. Jesus’ first sign was the changing of water into wine at Cana (John 2:1-11) and now his healing of this royal official’s son is his second sign (4:46-54). Signs are miracles, wonders, or healings that point to Jesus’ power and his mission. His mission is to do his Father’s will. What is God’s will? The evangelist has already told us in the previous chapter: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17). God’s will is to encounter and save each one of us and to give us the gift of eternal life.
Why did Jesus perform these signs? John tells us at the end of his Gospel: “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples…But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31). Life is not just living forever, life, eternal life is living with Jesus in the here and now. Each day we are invited to encounter Jesus. Where is Jesus in our daily life? Jesus is performing many signs in our life but sometimes we are too busy to notice them. Sometimes we are so caught up looking for a spectacular sign that we miss the simple signs in our daily life. Jesus gives us indications each day that He is with us and He shares our joys and helps us to bare our burdens.
Jesus performs these signs that we may deepen our faith and trust in God. Jesus performs these signs in our daily life that we may come to experience the love of God, a God who is full of love and rich in mercy. Take time out today to recognize one sign that Jesus is performing in your life and to experience the love of God and then give thanks to God.