Faith, Signs and Wonders

ecently I saw a bobcat lying on the ground. He attracted my attention because his ears were moving and the sunlight was illuminating just the tips. A bobcat is like a lynx, smaller than a lion but much larger and deadlier than a household cat. They exist from southern Canada down into southern Mexico. But someone could claim that they are just a large house cat. Someone else could say that they are just a small lion. Someone could even say that they do not exist at all. For some even a photograph would not be enough. Physical evidence is not always enough to cause us to believe that something is true. The truth is that I must be willing to believe what someone shows me or tells me; otherwise, I will not believe. This is true is every aspect of life. For example, if a politician tells us that something is true, most of us immediately have doubts because we have learned that often politicians cannot be trusted. Yet, most of us will believe teachers or professors because we believe they are trustworthy. Why do you believe what you believe?

Trip To Galilee. The wonderful response of the many men and women at the Passover Feast in Jerusalem (John 2:13-25) must have been both exciting and discouraging because of their weak faith. While Jesus’ miracles and teaching brought the highly regarded religious leader Nicodemus to His door one night, trouble was also developing among the religious leaders in Judea. Jesus’ ministry resulted in some who believed, many who wanted to see more signs and miracles, and a few among the politically and religiously powerful who were unhappy with Jesus.

At the same time, John the Baptist was imprisoned in Galilee by King Herod. This could have encouraged the Pharisees to take action. Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell us that Jesus understood the danger, and as a result Jesus left Jerusalem for a safer region - Galilee.

Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee . . . (NASB) Matt. 4:12

Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee . . . (NASB) Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (NASB) Mark 1:14-15

And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all. (NASB) Luke 4:14-15