The crowd gathered because they saw the signs Jesus was doing for the sick. Another sign was the meal for the thousands. But among the thousands there were different interpretations of that sign. Some said it showed that Jesus was the long-awaited prophet God had promised Israel. Others said it showed that in any election Jesus would be a shoe-in for king.

Outdated political bumper stickers are, of all signs, surely the most irrelevant. "Thomas E. Dewey for President" is as meaningful as "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too." But up-to-date significant signs go unheeded at great cost: "Bridge out" or "Detour." They are vital signs. They are signs that affect life or death. Signs determine whether you make it home or get where you're going. The sign in today's gospel is significant, vital for today.…