Sharing Scripture — October 5, 2024

The conviction of James and Jennifer Crumbley in the 2021 Oxford High School shooting murders sets a new legal precedent. Although their son Ethan pulled the trigger, the parents were found negligent of preventing the shooting; they neglected their son’s warning signs leading up to the massacre.

James and Jennifer Crumbley are the first parents convicted in a U.S. mass school shooting committed by their child, and they likely won’t be the last.

Now, Colin Gray faces charges in his son’s Apalachee High School mass shooting that killed four. Prosecutors will allege that Mr. Gray purchased a firearm for his son Colt, disregarding Colt’s previous threats to shoot classmates.

In both tragic cases, if the troubled teens received the help they needed, lives would have been saved, and families would not have been torn apart … but the parents ignored the warning signs.

Likewise, history may have turned out differently if Ancient Israel had only heeded their own warning signs. Because they failed to do so, Christ was sent to atone for our sins and to provide additional signs.

During His ministry, Christ performed miracles that fulfilled prophecy, restored health, helped those in need, and revealed His power to forgive sins. But, they also served another purpose: They pointed to His divine message and mission as Messiah.

The Gospel of John immediately launches into the signs – miracles – performed by Jesus, including turning water into wine (John 2:1-11) which would symbolize His atoning blood. We note that John records this as a “sign” to reveal His glory (v. 11), a sentiment echoed again in John 20:30-31.

“Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” [NIV]

It’s important to note that although the Greek word John uses in this verse translates to “signs,” it refers to authority. In other words, he was proclaiming that Jesus has divine authority from God the Father; that these miracles were not just extravagant displays of power.

This theme of authoritative miracles appears in John 5. Jewish leaders began persecuting Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, which opened the door for Jesus to identify Himself as the Son, the promised Messiah prophesied about by Moses and testified about by John the Baptist.

Unfortunately, the Jewish leaders hardened their hearts and did not acknowledge Jesus’ authority (although they clearly recognized that He performed miracles). Will we heed Christ’s signs, or turn away like the Jewish leaders?

For Reflection

Sharing: Are a child’s sins the spiritual responsibility of the parent(s)?

1. Adam and Eve were guiltless in Cain’s sin, so no
2. They are absolutely guilty if they did not raise their child to know and love Jesus
3. They are only responsible until the child is mature and independent
4. No, but God will hold them accountable for their parental failures
5. No, see Ezekiel 18:19-20
6. Other

Applying: How can you explain what real miracles are to someone who believes in supernatural “wonders” like ghostly apparitions, astrological events, and the like? Pray for God’s guidance and that you will be prepared to not only discern, but testify.

~ Stefani Leeper

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