“And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed.” (Matthew 16:1–4 ESV).
Regarding signs and miracles, the Gospels chronicle many of Jesus’ miraculous signs. However, Jesus understood what was in the soul of man and their continuous demand for miracles (John 2:23-25).
Self-confessed deconstructionist Marty Sampson writes, “How many miracles happen in our comfortable version of Christianity? Not many. But no-one talks about the miracles that happen daily for those under persecution and on the front line.”
A miracle is divine act by which God reveals himself to people. God’s revelation of Himself involves not only His personal character but also His sovereign work.
Many of the miracles of the Bible used nature rather than bypassed it (e.g., the wind that parted the Red Sea, Ex. 14:21). A miracle can be a phenomenon that is not readily explainable and may reflect laws that scientists do not yet fully understand.
In Scripture the element of faith is crucial; a natural approach cannot prove or disprove the presence of a “miracle.” The timing and content of the process can be miraculous, even though the event may seem natural.
In every example in Scripture, God performed a miracle not merely as a “wonder” to inspire awe but as a “sign” to draw people to himself. The purpose of miracles was to divide the audience and confront it with the necessity of decision; those seeking understanding and those considering only the outward aspects of the miracle and condemning.
1 Corinthians 1:18–25 (ESV) says, “18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
Jesus’ miracles directed people to only what He did, but most importantly who He was. The LORD continues to do this in the many miraculous moments occurring in our lives every day.
Are you aware of the untold miraculous moments occurring each day from God in your life? They may occur through a providential circumstance, a gospel song heard at just right moment, an encouraging note or comment, a particular portion of Scripture read or remembered at exactly the right time, or any of a number of other occurrences. What we may presume are “coincidences” are really divine appointments of God’s power and person.
What about the greatest miracle of all; the salvation of a fallen sinner by grace alone, through faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. Let us never forget this wonder of wonder; miracle of miracles.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 