In Matthew chapter 8, we are given a description of some of the miracles of Jesus. We have the cleansing of a leper, the healing of the paralyzed servant of the centurion, the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, the calming of a storm, and the healing of two men with demons. The healing of the leper and the healing of the paralyzed servant demonstrated the power of Jesus to heal diseases that most would consider uncurable. The calming of the storm demonstrated the power of Jesus to control the forces of nature. When Jesus cast the demons out of the two men, it demonstrated his power over demons. These were powerful miracles. The author of the book of Matthew put these stories here for a reason. What can we learn from the miracles of Jesus?
The Bible records many miracles that Jesus performed. A miracle is a phenomenon not explained by known laws of nature. It is a work of supernatural origin and character which cannot be produced by natural agents and means. God created all matter and set in force the laws of nature. Therefore, only He can allow exceptions to His laws of nature; He may do so for special purposes. Moses was the agent of God for multiple miracles in Egypt when he was seeking to convince Pharaoh to release the Israelites. Certain prophets of God such as Elijah and Elisha also performed miracles through the power of God.
When one performs a true miracle, it demonstrates that the power of God is working through him, for only God can allow exceptions to His laws of nature. When Jesus performed miracles, it demonstrated that He was from God and had the power of God. Nicodemus recognized this. John 3:1-2 “There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.’” One of the reasons that Jesus performed miracles was to prove that He was from God the Father.
Not only did Jesus come from God, but He had the authority from God. The centurion came to Jesus requesting healing for his servant. Jesus offered to come and heal him. Matthew 8:8-9 “The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” The centurion recognized that Jesus had the authority from God to perform the miracle. Since Jesus had the authority to heal, it is easy to understand that Jesus also had authority from the Father for everything else He did to include the authority to teach God’s truths.
When we read about the miracles of Jesus, it should build within us faith that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. John 20:30-31 “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”
No one could deny that Jesus performed true miracles. Even the adversaries of Jesus knew that He had performed miracles because the evidence was undeniable. Still, they didn’t believe in Jesus. When Jesus cast out demons, they claimed that He used evil power. Luke 11:15-18 “But some of them said, ‘He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.’ Others, testing Him, sought from Him a sign from heaven. But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub.” Jesus performed a mighty miracle by raising Lazarus from the dead. But we read how His adversaries reacted. John 11:47-48 “Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, ‘What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.’” Rather than believe in Jesus and accept Him as the Christ, they opposed Jesus and sought to kill Him. Not everyone believes who sees the miracles of Jesus.
The miracles of Jesus also demonstrate His love and compassion. He had the power; the people had the needs. Here is an example. Matthew 14:14-16 “And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.’ But Jesus said to them, ‘They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.’” Jesus proceeded to perform the miracle of feeding the five thousand. Jesus had compassion for the people in their needs and He performed miracles to meet their needs.
The miracles of healing also demonstrate that Jesus has power to forgive sins. Matthew 9:2-6 “Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.’ And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, ‘This Man blasphemes!’ But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins’—then He said to the paralytic, ‘Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.’”
The miracles of Jesus should be very important to you. The miracles should cause you to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God. Jesus came from God and had the authority of God in all that He did. Just as Jesus had love and compassion for the people when He was on earth, I encourage you to appreciate the love and compassion He has for you today. I encourage you to believe that He has the power to forgive your sins and work other miracles in your life today.