#99 - Joby Martin // Why Jesus Performed Signs, Not Spectacles

Summary

Summary of Podcast Episode #99: "Why Jesus Performed Signs, Not Spectacles"

Podcast Title: The Daily Blade: Joby Martin & Kyle Thompson
Hosts: Pastor Joby Martin & Kyle Thompson
Episode: #99 - Joby Martin // Why Jesus Performed Signs, Not Spectacles
Release Date: May 19, 2025

---

Introduction

In Episode #99 of The Daily Blade, hosts Pastor Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson delve into the profound distinctions between Jesus' miracles and spectacles as depicted in the Gospel of John. This episode, titled "Why Jesus Performed Signs, Not Spectacles," provides listeners with insightful theological reflections aimed at equipping Christians to apply biblical truths to their daily lives.

Exploring the Healing at the Pool of Bethesda

Kyle Thompson initiates the discussion by focusing on a specific miracle of Jesus—the Healing at the Pool of Bethesda. He highlights a critical observation: in the Gospel of John, Jesus refers to His miracles as "Signs" rather than mere "miracles."

Kyle Thompson [00:21]: "In the Gospel of John, he never calls miracles miracles. He actually calls his miracles signs."

Kyle reads the pertinent passage from John 5:1-15, recounting how Jesus heals a man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. This narrative sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the nature and purpose of Jesus' actions.

Signs vs. Miracles: Understanding the Terminology

Delving deeper, Kyle explains the significance behind John’s choice of the word "Signs." He draws an analogy comparing a city sign to the actual city, emphasizing that signs point to something greater.

Kyle Thompson [02:10]: "A sign points to something greater than itself... And every single time in the Gospel of John and actually all of the Gospels, when Jesus does a miracle, he's pointing to God's greater redemptive story."

This distinction underscores that Jesus' actions were not just displays of power but were intended to reveal God's overarching plan for redemption.

The Resurrection: Foundation for Belief in the Miraculous

Kyle reinforces the foundation of Christian faith by referencing the resurrection, describing it as the ultimate miracle that validates the possibility of all other miracles.

Kyle Thompson [03:15]: "Because if the tomb is empty, anything is possible... God can breathe new life into his dead son, then there is nothing that is impossible for God."

This assertion serves to bolster believers' confidence in seeking and expecting miraculous interventions in their lives.

The Role of Faith and Obedience in Receiving Signs

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the relationship between faith, obedience, and the reception of Jesus' signs. Kyle illustrates this with examples from the Gospels, such as the feeding of the 5,000 and the healing of the blind man in John chapter nine.

Kyle Thompson [04:05]: "The miracle that the person is looking for is on the other side of a step of faith or a step of obedience in the person that is receiving the miracle."

He emphasizes that while Jesus initiates the miraculous, the individual's response through faith and obedience is crucial for the manifestation of the sign.

Invitation to Seek Personal Miracles

Concluding his exposition, Kyle extends an invitation to listeners to identify and ask for the miracles they need in their lives. He challenges them to step out in faith, aligning their desires with God's redemptive work.

Kyle Thompson [04:50]: "I dare you to ask... because if the tomb is empty, anything is possible."

This call to action encourages believers to actively seek God's intervention, trusting in His limitless power and love.

Conclusion

Pastor Joby Martin wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to engage with the podcast further, sharing it with others and leaving positive reviews to help equip more men for spiritual battles.

Joby Martin [05:23]: "Share this podcast around and leave us a five-star rating and review. Stay sharp."

Key Takeaways

• Terminology Matters: In the Gospel of John, Jesus' miracles are termed "Signs" to indicate their role in pointing to God's greater redemptive narrative.

• Foundation of Faith: The resurrection serves as the cornerstone for believing in the possibility of miracles today.

• Faith and Obedience: Receiving a sign from Jesus often requires a corresponding act of faith or obedience from the individual.

• Personal Application: Believers are encouraged to identify and request the specific miracles they need, trusting in God's infinite capabilities.

Notable Quotes

• Kyle Thompson [00:21]: "In the Gospel of John, he never calls miracles miracles. He actually calls his miracles signs."

• Kyle Thompson [02:10]: "A sign points to something greater than itself... he's pointing to God's greater redemptive story."

• Kyle Thompson [03:15]: "Because if the tomb is empty, anything is possible... there is nothing that is impossible for God."

• Kyle Thompson [04:05]: "The miracle that the person is looking for is on the other side of a step of faith or a step of obedience..."

• Kyle Thompson [04:50]: "I dare you to ask... because if the tomb is empty, anything is possible."

Final Thoughts

Episode #99 of The Daily Blade offers a rich exploration of the theological underpinnings of Jesus' signs, encouraging believers to deepen their faith and actively seek God's miraculous interventions. Through thoughtful analysis and practical applications, Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson provide listeners with valuable insights to enhance their spiritual journey.

---

Join the Hosts in Person: Don't miss the opportunity to meet Pastor Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson at the 2025 Men's Conference in Jacksonville, Florida. Secure your seat at mensconference.com.

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to the Daily Blade. The word of God is described as the sword of the spirit, the primary spiritual weapon in the Christian's armor against the forces of evil. Your hosts are Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson, and they stand ready to equip men for the fight. Let's sharpen up.

[B]

Welcome back to the Daily Blade. This week we are going to look at a particular miracle of Jesus called the Healing at the pool of Bethesda. But one of the things I want to point out about it is that in the Gospel of John, he never calls miracles miracles. He actually calls his miracles signs. I want to read through this miracle and then we'll talk about why that is. It's found in John, chapter five. Beginning in verse one, it says this. And after this, there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there was in Jerusalem, by the sheep gate, a pool, an Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for 38 years. And when Jesus saw him lying there and knew he had already been there a long time, he said to him, do you want to be healed? The sick man answered him, sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up. And while I am going another steps down before me. And Jesus said to him, get up, take up your bed and walk. And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now, that day was the Sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, it is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed. But he answered them, the man who healed me, that man said to me, take up your bed and walk. They asked him, who is the man who said to you, take up your bed and walk. Now, the man who had been healed did not know who it was. For Jesus had withdrawn as there was a crowd in the place. Afterwards, Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, see you are well. Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you. The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. And this is why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, my Father is working until now, and I am working okay. So this is one of the many miracles found in the Gospel of John. And like I said at the beginning in the Gospel of John, John doesn't call miracles miracles. He always calls miracles Signs. Why is that? Here's why. Because a sign points to something greater than itself. Like, if you come into the city of Jacksonville, you will see a sign that says Jacksonville. But that's not the city. It's. It just. It points to what is actually the city. And every single time in the Gospel of John and actually all of the Gospels, when Jesus does a miracle, he's pointing to God's greater redemptive story. Jesus is not just flexing his raw power, but he's pointing to something greater. God's redemptive story. And the reason that we can believe in the miraculous is simply this. Because if the tomb is empty, anything is possible. You see, if God has already pulled off the greatest miracle of all time, that the son of God was killed on a cross and Jesus was laid in a tomb, doorknob, dead, and God can breathe new life into his dead son, then there is nothing that is impossible for God. And one of the things that you'll often see in the Gospel of John when it comes to these signs is that oftentimes the miracle that the person is looking for is on the other side of a step of faith or a step of obedience in the person that is receiving the miracle. Like in the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus blesses the fish in the loaves, but it is the disciples who have to have the faith to hand it out. Or in John, chapter nine, at some point, we'll study this one, this man who was born blind. Jesus spits on the ground, makes some mud, spreads it into the eyes of the man. But the man must be faithful enough to go and wash his face or in water, to wine that we studied a few weeks ago. Jesus dips out some of the water that had been turned to wine. I don't know that the servants know this yet, but they have to have the faith to take it to the master of ceremonies. So let me ask you a question. Do you need a miracle? What is that miracle that you are asking for? Maybe it's the miracle of someone that you know, that doesn't know Christ. To come to Christ, maybe you need to be healed. Maybe you need an addiction broken. What is that miracle that you need? Well, let me dare you to ask. To ask Jesus for the miracle that you need. And the reason that you can ask, because if the tomb is empty, anything is possible. The reason that we can believe that the miraculous is possible today is because God has already pulled off the greatest miracle of all time. And a miracle is simply when the unexplainable is run over by the undeniable. And so I want to invite you to come back and for the rest of this week we are going to unpack this particular sign or miracle, the healing at the Pool of Bethesda. From now to tomorrow, I dare you to begin to ask God for the miracle that you need.

[A]

Thank you for listening to today's episode. Before you go, if you want to help, equip other men for the fight, share this podcast around and leave us a five star rating and review. Stay sharp.