Signs & Miracles: The Creative Power of Christ

What is a miracle?

Is it simply a “wonder” or “wonderful thing,” or how about an “amazing or wonderful event”? A miracle certainly can be all of these things but, isn’t there a much richer and deeper meaning behind the word? Consider what the Bible Dictionary says is the definition of a miracle:

"An event in the external world brought about by the immediate agency or the simple volition of God, operating without the use of means capable of being discerned by the senses, and designed to authenticate the divine commission of a religious teacher and the truth of his message" (John 2:18; Matt. 12:38)."

Throughout the fourth Gospel (John) we see the repeated claims of the deity of Christ through the miracles in which He performed. The following post attempts to briefly survey the various miracles performed by Jesus, thus demonstrating that Christ Jesus stands alone as “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6, NASB).

From Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding at Cana, to the feeding of the five thousand, and the raising of Lazarus from the dead—Jesus Christ demonstrates His divinity and establishes Himself at the “apex” of human history as the greatest “miracle worker,” one who was able to not only give us life, through the cross, but to lay down His and take it up again. The ultimate “wonder” or “wonderful thing!”

Miracle at Cana: John 2:1-11

The second chapter of John presents two separate events that demonstrate Jesus’ deity (John 2:5-10) and authority (John 2:13-17). After, Jesus is baptized we are told of His first miracle performed (water to wine) and then His cleaning of the Temple. According to Dr. Towns, “With His first miracle at the marriage festival in Cana of Galilee, Jesus Demonstrates His creative power…” and “The miracle of the water turned to wine showed forth His power and glory”. This miracle demonstrates Jesus’ ‘creative power’ at the molecular level.

“Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the waterpots with water…Draw some now and take it to the headwaiter’” (John 2:7-8 NASB).

The Healing of the Nobleman’s Son: John 4:46-54

This second miracle also took place in Cana of Galilee. The text reads, “The royal official said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off” (4:49-50). This chapter finishes with, “This is again a second sign that Jesus performed when He had come out of Judea into Galilee” (4:54). What’s interesting to note is that Jesus performed this miracle from a far. He was in Cana but the nobleman’s son was in Capernaum. This demonstrates Jesus’ omnipresence and power over proximity.

“Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your son lives’” (John 4:50 NASB).

The Healing Pool of Bethesda: John 5:1-9

Bethesda was the Hebrew name of the pool in which people would enter (for healing) after “…an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water…” (John 5:4). This is yet another instance when Jesus healed on the Sabbath. In response to this healing Jesus states, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working” (John 5:17 NASB). This healing demonstrates Christ’s power and authority over the Law.

“He said to them, ‘Do you wish to get well…Get up, pick up your pallet and walk’” (John 5:6, 8 NASB).

Five Thousand Have Their Fill: John 6:1-14

“Jesus said, ‘Have the people sit down’” (John 6:10 NASB). With that, Jesus distributed five barley loaves and two fish to five thousand people. This miracle served as the pivot point in which the people’s view of Jesus shifted, they began to look at Jesus as a prophet (Towns 2002, 60). This miracle shows that Jesus fulfills all the needs an individual needs, spiritual and physical. Consider what Leon Morris communicates, “In the miracle of the feeding John has made it clear that Jesus is able to supply people’s physical needs…” and “…satisfies that hunger [people’s intense spiritual hunger], and further that that hunger can be satisfied in Him alone.”

“Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted” (John 6:11).

When Christ Walked on the Water: 6:16-21

Dr. Towns states that as the disciples were preparing to cross the Sea of Galilee there was a darkness that filled the air, literally (it was night), and figuratively (spiritual) as well (Towns 2002, 61). As the storm arose, seemingly out of nowhere, Dr. Town’s states, “Jesus calmed the fears of His disciples by revealing to them His true identity in the midst of the storm. He said, ‘It is I,’ which is the Old Testament identification of Jehovah, ‘I am.’” In addition to revealing His true identity, Christ is letting them know that in the midst of the storm, He “would not fail.”

“…they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened. But He said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid’” (John 6:19-20).

The Blind Man Sees: John 9:1-41

Jesus, through this miracle, continues to heal on the Sabbath (John 9:14). In response to His disciples asking Him why the man was blind, Jesus says the following, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed” (John 9:3 NASB). Dr. Towns reinforces this truth when he states, “…it is also sometimes in God’s plan to bring physical infirmities or suffering into the life of an individual to demonstrate the works of God.” Not only does this miracle demonstrate the divine powers in Christ, the testimony of the blind man, after the healing, demonstrates the reality of the event and lends credibility to Jesus’ claims of deity.

“When He had said this, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes, and said to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which is translated, Sent). So he went away and washed, and came back seeing” (John 9:6-7 NASB).

Dead Man Walking: John 11:1-44

When Jesus and the disciples arrived at Lazarus’ tomb, he had already been dead for four days (John 11:17). Even after the previous miracles the Jews were still criticizing and challenging Jesus, in verse 37 we read, “…Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have kept this man also from dying?” As they approach the tomb Mary says that there will be a stench since he has been dead already for four days but Jesus says “you will see the glory of God” (John 11:40). As Jesus calls Lazarus out, and as he [Lazarus] comes, Christ is demonstrating His claims of divinity by conquering death. Only God has the creative power to resurrect the dead.

“He cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth.’ The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘unbind him, and let him go’” (John 11:43-44 NASB).

Bringing in the Catch: John 21:1-12

Dr. Towns gives three possible scenarios for this miracle. He states, “First, Christ could have used His creative power to create the fish. Second, He could have used His omnipotent power to guide the fish from some other place in the lake into their net. Third, He could have used His omniscience and, seeing the fish coming, called for the disciples to cast the net on the other side of the boat where the fish were swimming.” This miracle demonstrates Jesus’ divinity by exercising his omnipotence over the creation.

“’Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.’ So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord’” (John 21:6-7 NASB).

If you get the nature and character of God wrong, you get the Gospel wrong. These “signs & miracles” demonstrate who Jesus was, is, and forever shall be...the great I AM!

Prepare today, prevail tomorrow!

Lee

Psalm 91