Seven Signs of Gloryনমুনা

Day 4: A Higher Power

The theologian N.T. Wright describes John’s gospel as “a kind of treasure hunt, with careful and sometimes cryptic clues laid for us to follow.” During Lent, we are following these clues to find Jesus, our ultimate treasure, as we reflect on His ‘seven signs of glory’.

Today’s sign may appear at first to be a straightforward miracle. Jesus compassionately heals a man who had been disabled for thirty-eight years. However, as we’re increasingly discovering, no miracle is ‘just’ a miracle. Embedded in Jesus’ actions are signposts to His identity and mission. This moment is layered with meaning.

Our modern culture is a noisy, confusing place. Have you felt it? Competing worldviews and ideologies bombard us, each claiming to hold the answers to our deepest longings. Social media floods us with worldly wisdom, promising us that our “perfect” life is just one more investment scheme, relationship or self-help plan away. While these things may have their place, they become harmful when they replace our ultimate need for Jesus. Among the many voices and ‘solutions’ vying for our attention, only One can truly heal our souls.

John’s account of Jesus at the Pool of Bethesda showcases this reality. The pool was steeped in mystic superstition and surrounded by those seeking its supposed healing properties. Jewish religious leaders, too, prowled the area while the public watched on, ensuring that the law’s strict Sabbath traditions were being observed. The scene brims with layers: mystic ritual, worldly wisdom, and religious legalism. It’s into this complex cultural cacophony that Jesus steps boldly.

When Jesus heals the man, He does more than display His power as a healer. He reveals His authority as Lord – of the Sabbath, and over all. In one act, He dismantles and circumvents human systems of superstition, self-help, and religious rigidity. His message is unmistakable: “Over and above your rituals, rules and striving, I am the One you are looking for.”

This is a breathtaking moment. Amid all human attempts to find meaning, healing and answers, Jesus reigns supreme. His way is better. His authority is unmatched. He IS the treasure. Whatever struggles we face today, He invites us to turn to Him.

Pause to reflect. Are there areas in your life where you feel stagnant, despairing, or hopeless? Instead of relying on your own strength or worldly solutions, prayerfully bring these to Jesus. Why not ask Him now for His direction, His healing, and His life-transforming power? He is the One you’re searching for.