Jesus' Miracles
John 2:11
"What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him."
Reflection: This verse describes Jesus' first miracle, turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana. Through this miracle, Jesus revealed His divine glory and inspired faith in His disciples.
Matthew 9:35
"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness."
Reflection: Jesus' ministry was characterized by both teaching and miracles. He proclaimed the good news of the kingdom and demonstrated His power by healing various diseases and sicknesses.
Matthew 14:25
"Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake."
Reflection: Jesus' miraculous act of walking on water reveals His divine power over the natural world. This miracle demonstrates His authority and ability to transcend the laws of nature.
Miracles as Signs of God's Power
Exodus 14:21
"Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided."
Reflection: The parting of the Red Sea is a significant miracle in the Old Testament, showcasing God's power to deliver His people from their enemies and make a way where there seems to be no way.
Joshua 10:13
"So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day."
Reflection: This miracle, where the sun and moon stood still, demonstrates God's power over the celestial bodies. It highlights His sovereignty and ability to intervene in the natural order for His purposes.
1 Kings 18:38-39
"Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, 'The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!'"
Reflection: Elijah's miracle of calling down fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice serves as a powerful demonstration of God's supremacy over false gods. It leads the people to acknowledge the Lord as the true God.
Miracles and Faith
John 4:53
"Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, 'Your son will live.' So he and his whole household believed."
Reflection: The healing of the official's son by Jesus results in the man and his entire household coming to faith. Miracles can serve as catalysts for belief in Christ.
Acts 9:40-42
"Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, 'Tabitha, get up.' She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord."
Reflection: The resurrection of Tabitha through Peter's prayer is a miracle that results in many people coming to faith in the Lord. Miracles can serve as powerful testimonies to the truth of the gospel and lead people to believe.
Mark 9:23-24
"'If you can'?' said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for one who believes.' Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, 'I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!'"
Reflection: This passage highlights the connection between faith and miracles. Jesus emphasizes that everything is possible for those who believe, and the father's response demonstrates the desire for increased faith in the face of miraculous possibilities.
Miracles and God's Purpose
John 9:2-3
"His disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned,' said Jesus, 'but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.'"
Reflection: Jesus explains that the man's blindness was not the result of personal sin but an opportunity for God's miraculous work to be displayed in his life. Miracles can serve to reveal God's power and purpose.
John 11:4
"When he heard this, Jesus said, 'This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it.'"
Reflection: Jesus declares that Lazarus' sickness and impending death will serve to glorify God and His Son. Miracles can be used by God to bring glory to Himself and to Christ.
Acts 3:16
"By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see."
Reflection: The healing of the lame man at the temple gate is attributed to faith in the name of Jesus. Miracles can serve to glorify Christ and demonstrate the power of faith in His name.
Miracles and the Kingdom of God
Matthew 12:28
"But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."
Reflection: Jesus' miracles of casting out demons serve as evidence that the kingdom of God has come. Miracles are signs of the inbreaking of God's kingdom and His reign over evil.
Luke 7:22
"So he replied to the messengers, 'Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.'"
Reflection: Jesus' miracles of healing and restoration are presented as evidence of His messianic identity and the arrival of the kingdom of God. Miracles demonstrate the transformative power of God's kingdom.
Revelation 15:3
"and sang the song of God's servant Moses and of the Lamb: 'Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations.'"
Reflection: In this heavenly vision, the redeemed sing of God's great and marvelous deeds, recognizing His miraculous works throughout history. Miracles point to God's sovereign power and reign over all creation.
Miracles and the Holy Spirit
Acts 2:4
"All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
Reflection: The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is accompanied by the miraculous ability to speak in other tongues. This miracle signifies the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers.
Romans 15:19
"by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ."
Reflection: Paul attributes the effectiveness of his ministry to the power of signs and wonders, performed through the Holy Spirit. Miracles, empowered by the Spirit, can serve to validate and confirm the preaching of the gospel.
1 Corinthians 12:10
"to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues."
Reflection: The Holy Spirit distributes various gifts to believers, including the ability to perform miracles. Miracles are a manifestation of the Spirit's power and work within the body of Christ.
Miracles and Compassion
Matthew 14:14
"When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick."
Reflection: Jesus' miracles of healing are motivated by His compassion for the people. Miracles often serve as expressions of God's love and concern for those who are suffering.
Matthew 20:34
"Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him."
Reflection: Jesus' healing of the blind men is an act of compassion. Miracles can demonstrate God's tender mercy and His desire to alleviate human suffering.
Luke 7:13
"When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, 'Don't cry.'"
Reflection: Jesus' miracle of raising the widow's son is preceded by His compassion for her. Miracles can be expressions of God's empathy and His desire to bring comfort and restoration.
Miracles and Worship
Luke 5:25-26
"Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, 'We have seen remarkable things today.'"
Reflection: The miraculous healing of the paralyzed man results in praise and worship directed towards God. Miracles can evoke a sense of awe and wonder, leading people to glorify and honor God.
Acts 3:8-9
"He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him."
Reflection: The healing of the lame man leads to public praise and worship. Miracles can inspire others to recognize God's power and goodness, resulting in corporate worship and testimony.
John 12:17-18
"Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him."
Reflection: The miracle of Lazarus' resurrection generates widespread acclaim and draws people to meet Jesus. Miracles can serve as powerful testimonies that attract others to seek and worship Christ.
These 24 verses provide a comprehensive understanding of the biblical perspective on miracles. They highlight Jesus' miracles, miracles as signs of God's power, the connection between miracles and faith, God's purpose in miracles, miracles and the kingdom of God, the role of the Holy Spirit in miracles, miracles as expressions of compassion, and the relationship between miracles and worship.