How do we see Jesus Christ as God in John's Book of Seven Signs?

How do we see Jesus Christ as God in John’s Book of Signs?

St. Mark’s Gospel begins with a narrative about John the Baptist wasting no time to get right to the point in inviting us to open an account with the prophecy of Isaiah.   “A voice of one crying out in the desert:  “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.”  (see Is 40: 3).

Matthew and Luke begin with an infancy narrative:  Matthew starts with the genealogy of Jesus beginning with Abraham while Luke leans more on the mother of Jesus and the Annunciation to Mary.  His pattern is based on Jesus as the son of David in the geological premise where he will take the seat of David.   “And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm.  It is he who shall build a house for my name.  And I will make his royal throne firm forever.”  (2 Sam 7: 12 - 13).

But John has a whole other approach with a prologue that does not lean on the miracles that follow Mark, Matthew, and Luke in their gospel narratives, but who this Lord, Jesus, is as God.  Using specific signs that are theological in nature, prove this is God Incarnated.  The prime themes of this prologue show us the life, light, and truth about God and the origin of the Incarnation decided upon by the Holy Trinity.  The first verse tells us Jesus is God, from the beginning of time.  From him comes life, light, and the truth of his existence within himself.  “For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he gave to his Son the possession of life in himself.”  (Jn 5: 26). 

This truth that God wanted to save his people from eternal death is stressed here when John writes that the Son of God is light himself, which is what describes God in person.  It is through this light that overcomes darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.  In spite of God’s love for his people they reject him.  Yet, in spite of this rejection the Son of God became flesh, dwelt among us, and we saw his glory when he offered himself as our ransom on Calvary, because he loved us more than just a divine person; he became one like us to show his love full of grace and truth.  (Jn 1: 14).

Looking at the prime signs that prove Jesus is the Son of God and is God himself.  The wedding at Cana where he performs his first miracle (sign) by changing water into wine opens the eyes of his disciples of his mastery.  ( Jn 2: 1 - 12).  First sign.

An encounter with a royal official whose son was ill and near death.  Jesus said, “unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” After pleading from the official, Jesus told him, “You may go; your son will live.”  (Jn 4: 46 - 50).  Second sign.

Jesus heals a blind man on the Sabbath which raised the eyes of the Pharisees.  Jesus answered them with, “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.”  (Jn 5: 17). Third sign.

Multiplication of loaves and fishes. A prelude to the eucharist theologically.  (Jn 6: 1 - 15).  Fourth sign.

During a storm on the sea and Jesus comes walking on the water.  He stops the storm and tells his disciples who were filled with fear, “It is I. Do not be afraid.  (Jn 6: 16 - 21).  Fifth sign.  

The man who was born blind which is one of the signs that created a stir about Jesus.  (Jn 9: 1 - 41).  Sixth sign.

Perhaps the one sign that brought the belief to many was the raising of Lazarus.  Jesus received news that his close friend was very sick and his sisters sent for Jesus. He and his disciples arrived four days later wherein Lazarus had died.   Martha, one of the sisters, ran to meet Jesujs and said, “if you had  been here my brother would not have died.”  Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.”  Marths responded with, “I know be will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.”   “I am the resurrection and the life;  Whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live.”  Jesus asked her where they had buried him.  He prayed to his Father and then called Lazarus to come forth.  Lazarus came out still covered in his burial clothes.   Jesus said, “untie him and let him go.” (Jn 11: 1 - 44).  Seventh sign.

Of all the signs in John’s Gospel and the many miracles listed in the synoptic gospels, there are none that proves that Jesus is God like tns sign

Ralph B. Hathaway