Luke 8:22-39; Matthew 9:18-34; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56; Matthew 13:53-58; Mark 6:1-6; John 5; Matthew 9:35-11:1; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6; Matthew 14:1-12

One of the crucial principle to understand in Scripture is that the miracles recorded for us were meant to confirm the word of God to the witnesses. Anyone can make a claim to be speaking for God, or even to actually be God. Such a claim is empty without some sort of proof. Miracles – occurrences contrary to and occurring outside of the laws of nature – are God’s proof too show who is speaking for Him.

While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. And the report of this went through all that district.

Matthew 9:18-26

They all knew the girl was dead. So, when Jesus made the audacious claim that she was still alive, but merely asleep they ridiculed Him. Understandably so. You and I would have done the same thing if we are willing to admit it. Death is natural and no natural occurrence can change that reality. Jesus did the supernatural and raise her back to life. The skeptics believed because they saw it with their eyes. To their credit, they spread the truth about what they saw and the word spread throughout their region.

If a man can do this, then we must ask “Who is He?”

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”

Luke 8:22-25

Even so, some refused to accept the man and His message, even in the face of miracles.

He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching.

Mark 6:1-6

His own people rejected Him. The One who could not only perform these miracles, but could also empower His disciples to do the same was rejected. If the miracles were not believed, then the message would fall on unbelieving ears. Through peter, the Holy Spirit reminded the people of these things on the day of Pentecost…

Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

Acts 2:22-23

You could ignore the implications of the miracles, but no one in Jerusalem or Judea could deny them. They KNEW what Jesus had done. Jesus did not just show up, claim to be Messiah and expect folks to believe Him or else be condemned to hell. The Law required 2 or 3 witnesses to prove a matter as factual. Jesus had 4 witnesses to prove His claims.

If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.

John 5:31-40

John is a witness on behalf of Jesus.

The miracles are a witness on behalf of Jesus.

The Father in heaven is a witness on behalf of Jesus.

The scriptures are a witness on behalf of Jesus.

The power of unbelief in so many hearts is more powerful than the raising of the dead, the healing of the sick and the casting out of demons. Despite the rejection of Him, the report went out from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the earth. His miracles were never denied by the people of Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. Instead, the miracle worker was denied.

Consider His nature.  Consider His ways.  Strive to love Him more!