Have you ever considered how amazing it must have been to witness Jesus perform a miracle? I cannot understand how a person could see something so wonderful and not come away believing in Jesus as the Son of God!
In Mark 5 alone, there is a man that people knew “no one could bind, not even with chains” (Mark 5:3). Yet, he is left after his encounter with the Savior “sitting and clothed and in his right mind” (5:15). Then Jesus comes to a crowd who “wept and wailed loudly” (5:38) because of the death of a young girl, only to see her arise and walk after Jesus is able to raise her from the dead (5:42). Simply incredible!
It would be beneficial at the outset if we define our understanding of the word miracle. Many people use this word to describe natural acts that are amazing and hard for humans to completely fathom; for example, the process of conception, pregnancy, and delivery of a baby. This is a wonderful thing, but not a miracle. A genuine miracle is a supernatural act that transcends the laws of nature.
Another note to consider is that the Bible does not give us an exact number of miracles that Jesus performed. Most people agree that the number of recorded miracles is around thirty-five. Matthew composes a statement that helps us realize how vast His miracles might have been in just one setting: “Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them” (Matthew 15:30).
It is also important that we consider the main purpose of Jesus’ miracles. They were not done to satisfy people’s curiosity or just for fun. They were done to confirm Jesus and His message. Today, if a person is delivering a speech about a certain topic, we would want to know that they have some authority or expertise in that matter. Jesus claimed to be the Son of God (John 5:17, 18). What better way to confirm His message and His divine nature than to work these numerous and various miracles for all to see?
As you read the four different accounts of the life of Jesus, it would also be helpful to know the descriptions that are used when Jesus is performing miracles. In Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost,
he uses the three main words we often think of when he says, “. . . Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs . . .” (Acts 2:22). The word “miracle” helps us understand the power of these acts; “signs,” that they were convincing demonstrations; and “wonders,” that they inspired awe.
There are a few other aspects of the miracles that Jesus performed that set them apart from so- called modern miracles and “healers” today:
– Immediate – the results were instantaneous and always successful (Mark 5:42; 10:52).
– Verifiable – there was no question of what had been done, there were no other explanations, and even his enemies had to admit that He performed miracles (John 11:47,48).
– Visible – there were often many witnesses, as was the case of the multiplying of the loaves and fishes (John 6:10).
– Various – Jesus healed the sick, raised the dead, showed power over nature (walking on water), cast out demons, and even knew what other people were thinking.
How wonderful it is to consider all the great miracles that Jesus performed!
Sometimes people today wish that genuine miracles were still occurring and they make statements such as, “If there were miracles today, then everyone would believe in God and His power.” Sadly, this is not true; for even people who were witnessing the power of Christ still turned away from following Him (John 6:66).
When a person contemplates all of the facts mentioned in this article, there is no other conclusion except to believe that Jesus Christ truly is the Son of God. We are not able to touch those who were healed or talk to those who had been raised from the dead, but that does not lessen the fact that we can still read of these wonderful miracles in the Bible.
We can read God’s word, know of His Son’s great power and miracles, and believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. “And that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30, 31).
— Joel Danley
