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Approved By Miracles
Approved By Miracles
Matthew arranges his material by putting several of the miracles stories together. These are placed after the sermon on the mount. The sermon left the people in awe. Now, the miracles confirm that God approves of His teaching.
Acts 2:22 22 "Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—
Hebrews 2:3-4 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.
John 20:30-31 30 Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
As powerful as the miracles were, their real power is seen in their relationship to the teaching of Jesus. Some, like Nicodemus (John 3) and the blind man (John 9) were persuaded that Jesus was a man from God, a prophet, the son of God. Interestingly, some saw and acknowledged such miracles and yet denied the teaching (and the teacher!). “If God would only give me a sign…”. Well, He did give such signs and people still didn’t believe!
We are reminded of Abraham’s answer to the rich man who asked that one be allowed to arise from the dead and talk with his brothers (who were still living): “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” (Luke 16:31). If they will not listen to Jesus, neither will they believe if someone rises from the dead. So, in John 11 we see Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead. The response by his enemies was to try and put BOTH Jesus and Lazarus to death.
Such is not an absolute rule, for some were convinced by the resurrection of Jesus (cp Acts 2!). Others stubbornly continued in their unbelief. Much unbelief is due not to the lack of evidence or testimony, but to a determined denial of God, Jesus, and the Word of God.
The danger is ever-present for everyone, both then and now. We don’t come to issues with a blank slate, but with many predispositions and conclusions. These make it difficult to be objective in our dealing with testimony, evidence, and facts. Truth is however still truth. We are therefore to have as foundational to our character, a love for truth. A love for truth will cause us to change our ways and thinking when we discover we are wrong. A love for truth will also cause us to be unmovable when we are right. Can you handle the truth?
Hugh DeLong
