Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.  John 20:30

I’ve been thinking a lot about miracles, especially miracles of healing. I’ve often wondered why physical healings seem to take place more often in Third World countries rather than in more “civilized” ones like our country.

What are miracles anyway?  A short definition of a miracle is “something which occurs contrary to natural and physical laws, which produces awe, amazement and wonder.” However, I fear the word “miracle” has been  so broadly  adopted into the language that it’s lost most of its  true meaning.  Read the news or search the Internet. They’re filled with articles about “miracle” drugs, cures, products, movies and stories by people who have no faith in God, but   are quick to label something miraculous when it suits them. Miracles are not for sale nor do they originate in Hollywood studios.  We are warned not to mock God.

The Christian faith is based on the greatest miracle ever recorded in human history. Jesus Christ was crucified, died and was buried in a tomb. After three days He rose from the dead and showed Himself thereafter to his disciples who would bear witness to Him and the resurrection. In terms of being “ contrary to natural laws, creating awe, amazement and wonder,” no other event can come close.

The Gospels also fully attest to the Lord’s miraculous healings, signs and wonders during His three years of ministry. He cast out demons, healed the blind, the deaf and the lame. He raised dead Lazarus, walked on the sea, stilled a raging storm. He took a small basket of bread and fish and multiplied it to feed thousands. He  took authority over a legion of demons and cast them out from the possessed man. Is there any one who can inspire greater awe than the Lord?

A critical point about miracles is that every authentic Biblical miracle always originates with God and points back to God. Over and over Jesus declared that He only said and did what the Father told Him.

Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. John 5:19

Jesus’ miracles began in prayer and ended with words glorifying the Father through whom He would be glorified.

Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our God. John 8:54

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He  chided Mary about her lack of faith but then gave God glory for the miracle He was about to perform.

“Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. “I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.”… John 11:41-42

One  reason for   Jesus’  public miracles was  so  those who saw them  would believe in  Christ. They were written down for the same reason,  but as   witness to the future.

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. John 20:31

Interestingly, John states at the end of his account  that  only a small number of  Jesus miracles  were  recorded.

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. John 21;25

What an intriguing  Scripture!  I want to know more about these other things that Jesus did.  Might it not be that every small detail of Jesus’ life was miraculous and life giving? Love such as His touched everyone, everything, everywhere and every second of time while He was on earth. How could such healing, life -giving love  be fully recorded? And if they’d “overfill the world’s libraries if written down,” then God, please give me a library card for the Spirit!

We’re called to “believe the life in His Name” and to glorify God.  There are still  tear – stained faces to caress and hearts to heal, just as He healed.   There are still people without a Savior who need His love and mercy.  If we merely chase  signs and wonders, we are living like the skeptical multitudes following Jesus around, hoping to see something extraordinary. After 21 centuries,  do we Christians still need the miraculous to awe and amaze us when we have Jesus Himself and the Holy Spirit abiding in us? What greater miracle is there than the Son of God who offers salvation to a broken world. He who did miracles beyond number during His life is still the same Lord. If  Jesus’  unrecorded miracles would fill up libraries, how much more is available through Him  who is now glorified and who abides in us?  The Church as the Body of Christ is   the Lord’s  greatest library & repository of His Word,   waiting to be filled with  His miraculous life  from  floor to ceiling.

In Jesus’ Name  and to glorify the Father,   I can hardly wait for  miracles to be!

EAG