I was reading Psalm 78 this morning and was reminded of how the great nation of Israel, led by Moses, still turned against God on numerous occasions even though God performed miracles every day by dropping Manna from heaven and putting fire in the sky at night. And they still decided that worshipping things like gold calves was a good plan.
Now this seems crazy to me - but reminds me that it is what Jesus has already done that turns lives around. A miracle or two may woo someone for a second, but the realisation of Jesus’ sacrifice will cause us to fall in love with the saviour of the world - and that change is everlasting.
But then, Jesus’ ministry was pretty much miracle-city. Everywhere He went He healed the sick and cast out demons. However I think there was one difference and that was that Jesus was performing the miracles to meet peoples needs - and through doing that was showing people what the heart of the Father was like. It is kinda challenging to me as it makes me realise that I probably desire to see miracles because I have not seen one in a while - when really I should be desiring to see miracles because they benefit the people around me. Maybe if I had that attitude of compassion that Jesus had I would see more miracles. Maybe I need to take the focus off of seeing miracles and look to have that compassion first and foremost - and then see what God does.






10:44 am
I could not agree more.
I do not believe that Jesus performed miracles as a party trick or to win converts. They were acts of compassions and love which were very relevant to those who were with it at the time.
It’s worth noting that not everyone who saw Jesus’ miracles believed. We can read in Luke 4 how he was not accepted in his home town. And in John 6 how right after the feeding of the 5000 he says “… you have seen and yet you still do not believe …”
It’s also worth remembering how Jesus said people would recognise His people. It was not by their amazing preaching, not by the miracles they perform, not even by the good deeds they do, but by how they love one another.
How many churches have that in the right order?