SHOW US A SIGN

A couple brief thoughts on 'signs' and Jesus. According to scripture, Jesus was doing signs all the time - except when asked for a 'sign'. His signs had purpose, were never simply to demonstrate power; the healing or 'sign' powers were to demonstrate, ultimately, his power to forgive sin and give eternal life (Gal 1:4). Prior to healing the paralytic, he said, 'Your sins are forgiven!' Then he said these key words, to preface the 'sign' he was about to give:
 
'That you may know that I have authority to forgive sins... rise, be healed' (Mark 2:10-11)
 
Jesus turned water to wine, and only the servants knew of this (though the whole party partook of the power, John 2:9). Jesus, turned bread into more bread, but then told the very people who ate this bread, when they 'demanded a sign', that they would not be given a sign (Mark 8:12, cf John 6:26). Jesus would not give a 'sign' when it could have spared him his own life (Luke 23:8).