Matthew 4:23-24
Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all.
Yes, Jesus did countless miracles, more than we can ever imagine.
John 21:25
Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.
Yet we can't underestimate how incredible even just one miracle is. Some people define miracles too loosely. For instance, I've heard people say the birth of a baby is a miracle. Even though a birth of a baby is an awe inspiring, amazing event, it is not a true miracle by definition.
So what is a miracle? A miracle is an event that defies the laws of nature or science. In other words, it's something that occurs that is literally impossible, at least to us. Bringing a dead person back to life defies nature. Walking on water defies physics. Instantly turning water into wine defies science. Those things are impossible, except for God who created all things, and therefore can alter all things if He choses to intervene. Jesus did things that defy the natural laws of nature, science, and physics.
When Jesus did a miracle, it was 100% effective. For example, when He healed the leper, it didn't take days for the leprosy to slowly go away. He was healed instantly and completely.
Matthew 8:3
Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.
But why did Jesus do so many of these signs and wonders? Was it to amaze people? To demonstrate His compassion? His miracles surely did both of those things, but there is something much, much more to it. Jesus didn't want people just to think he was an incredible magician or sorcerer.
John 4:48
Jesus asked, “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?”
He didn't come to earth to just to perform miracles. He performed miracles because they were the method to get people to listen to Him, believe in Him, have faith in Him, and follow Him. His signs and wonders not only demonstrated His love and compassion, but they also proved that He was who He claimed to be, revealing His divine nature.
Acts 2:22
People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know.
The miracles of Jesus authenticated His message of the good news -- that He was the Messiah who brings salvation, forgiveness, and ultimately eternal life through His sacrificial death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead.
After Jesus ascended into heaven, the Apostles were given the ability to do signs and wonders as well. Their miracles proved they were of God, and that their message was one of truth.
Acts 14:3
But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders.
Today, we don't have Jesus walking on earth, and we don't have the apostles here with us, but we do have their message....the Bible! That is why reading the Bible is so important -- so we will come to believe.
John 20:30-31
The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.
And by knowing the Word of God (the Bible), we can come to know who God is, who we are, what He expects from us, and what His promises are for us.
One more thing....do signs and wonders still happen today? I think I know your answer.......I believe it would be......."Yes"! And I would agree. They happen, not through a person with miraculous powers, but by God through prayer. God is a real-time God, an interactive God who can intervene at any time He wishes. We've all heard of doctors who were baffled by unexplained healings, or heard of seemingly impossible things happen in a person's life.
Here's a truthful saying, "Our God is a God who can do the impossible."
Let's not forget it, but trust in it!
Luke 18:27
He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.”
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