Reactions to Jesus’ Miracles

Articles

Derek Long
05/17/20 - Faith

Reactions to Jesus’ Miracles By Derek Long
The books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John give us a record of the life of Christ. John admits the record does not contain everything Jesus did while upon the earth (John 20:30; 21:25). However, the things which are written were recorded for the purpose of providing us with evidence to believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (John 20:31). As one studies these books they will notice there are several accounts of miracles performed by Jesus. These miracles served the purpose of providing confirmation of Jesus’ claims for us (Acts 2:22; John 5:36). The reaction of the people to Jesus’ miracles is something worth noting about these accounts.
The miracles of Jesus caused people to marvel, be amazed, and be astonished. A good example of people marveling at one of Jesus’ miracles is the response of the disciples when Jesus calms the stormy sea (Matthew 8:27). One can imagine how amazed, astounded, and surprised they would be to see Jesus command the winds and the sea and they obey Him. People were amazed when Jesus was able to cast a demon out of a man enabling him then to speak and see (Matthew 12:23). Jesus displaying such power over the demons would certainly be an amazing sight. When Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead, her parents were astonished (Luke 8:56). The girl’s parents were amazed at what Jesus was able to do in bringing their daughter back to life. As we read of the miracles of Jesus, let us marvel, be amazed, and be astonished at the great power Jesus displays.
People responded to Jesus’ miracles with fear. Luke’s gospel records for us several occasions were people responded to Jesus miracles with fear. The people responded with fear when Jesus healed the paralytic whose friends brought him to Jesus (Luke 5:26). The people responded with fear when Jesus raised the widow of Nain’s son (Luke 7:16). The disciples responded with fear when Jesus calmed the stormy sea (Luke 8:25). On one occasion the people were seized with fear because of a miracle Jesus performed and they asked Him to leave (Luke 8:37). Fear could be a proper way to respond to Jesus’ miracles if it is fear which leads us to respect and stand in awe of Jesus’ might. However, fear which causes us to want Jesus to go away is probably not a good way to respond to Jesus’ miracles.
People responded to Jesus’ miracles by glorifying God. Luke 17:11-19 tells us how Jesus cleansed ten lepers. One of the lepers responded by giving glory to God (Luke 17:15, 18). Part of glorifying God was giving thanks for the healing he received (Luke 17:16). Do we respond to the miracles of Jesus by glorifying God? Do we praise God as those who saw the blind man in Luke 18:43 be healed did? Do we rejoice as the multitudes did when Jesus healed the woman with a spirit of infirmity (Luke 13:17)? Let’s allow the miracles of Jesus to lead us to glorify God as we recognize how truly powerful and mighty our God is!
People responded to Jesus’ miracles by believing in Him. John’s gospel seems to emphasize this point. In John 2:11, we read of how the disciples believed in Jesus after He turned water to wine. In John 4:53, we read of how the nobleman and his whole household believe after his son was healed. In John 9:38, the man who was born blind ended up believing in Jesus and worshipping Him following his healing. In John 11:45, we read of many of the Jews believing in Jesus after He raised Lazarus from the dead. The major reason behind the miracles was to lead people to believe in Jesus. Do we allow the miracles to cause us to believe in Jesus? Are we then willing to follow Him as some did after being healed (Matthew 20:34)?
The miracles of Jesus produced division among people even in the first century. John 9:16 says, “Therefore some of the Pharisees said, ‘This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.’ Others said, ‘How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?’ And there was a division among them.” Not everyone accepted what the miracles of Jesus proved. Some rejected the evidence provided by the miracles of Jesus. People early on sought to destroy Jesus because of the miracles He performed (Mark 3:6). Toward the end of Jesus’ life people still sought to destroy Him because of His miracles (John 11:53). People would claim Jesus worked miracles by the power of the Beelzebub (Matthew 9:34; 12:24). People would be filled with rage over Jesus’ miracles (Luke 6:11). When we read about the miracles of Jesus, do we respond as these individuals did? How will we respond to the miracles of Jesus? Are we going to accept or reject the evidence for Jesus provided by the miracles He performed?