Hopeful signs of spring are beginning to emerge. Have you seen or heard anything that makes you say, “Spring is on its way?”  What is a favorite sign of spring for you? Someone recently captured a picture of a robin.  You could sense the celebration that winter was moving out!  The signs draw us to the focus – spring!  Maybe you have your own picture of a sign of spring you could post, so people can be encouraged!

With signs of spring all around us many of us are also led to think about Easter.  Signs of Easter also accompany us during these days. Chocolates have arrived on the store shelves. We acknowledge that the focus is not the chocolate.  We shift our attention to what those Easter treats truly are meant to speak of.  They are signs of an incredible celebration to take place on Sunday April 4.

The first miracle Jesus did, of turning water into wine at a wedding, was a sign. As incredible as the miracle was, it was not the focus. We read in John 2:11, “What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him” (John 2:11).

John, the writer, shifts his attention away from the miracle itself directing our attention toward something greater. What is that something greater? “The changing of water to wine is the inaugural ‘sign’ of God’s presence in the world through him” (Gilberto Ruiz). Jesus, God present in human flesh, was a sign of the God of eternity dwelling with you and me! This first miracle began the public journey of Jesus Christ, affirming his identity, taking him to the cross and finally, miraculously, out from the empty tomb!

Paul spoke powerfully, of an abundance of signs given, to those who had not yet come to believe in Jesus.  He said to his people, “Fellow Israelites, listen carefully to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man thoroughly accredited by God to you—the miracles and wonders and signs that God did through him are common knowledge—this Jesus, following the deliberate and well-thought-out plan of God, was betrayed by men who took the law into their own hands, and was handed over to you. And you pinned him to a cross and killed him. But God untied the death ropes and raised him up. Death was no match for him” (Acts 2:22-26)

The signs of spring invite us to live with hope.  How much more the signs before us that speak of Easter.  Paul, continuing to speak to his people, of Jesus raised from the dead, acknowledges that Jesus Christ has purposed his life and enveloped his days. He trusts Jesus Christ alone for all things. Using the words of David, to speak this truth, he says,

I saw God before me for all time.
    Nothing can shake me; he’s right by my side.
I’m glad from the inside out, ecstatic;
    I’ve pitched my tent in the land of hope” (Acts 2:26-28).

Together we sing and make this or prayer or praise today!

Water You turned into wine
Opened the eyes of the blind
There's no one like you
None like you

Into the darkness You shine
Out of the ashes we rise
There's No one like you
None like you

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God

Into the darkness you shine
Out of the ashes we rise
No one like you
None like you

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God

AMEN

With care and in prayer,