Do miracles still happen?

“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.”

(Matthew 9:35 - New International Version)

When people ask whether miracles still happen today, the simple answer is yes. It only takes a few moments, and access to the internet, to find countless examples of miraculous works happening as a result of fervent prayer and dedicated faith in God. Many have witnessed, or been involved in, miracles of healing that have happened in their churches and within the lives of people they know personally.

We see through scripture that Jesus accomplished many miraculous works during His life, and He said that we would be able to do these things and more in His name if we truly believe. The Apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, also accomplished miraculous works, and in their teachings declared that we will, as a church, be able to do likewise if we truly believe.

These things have a commonality…belief (faith). Without a sure and strong faith we cannot work miracles through the power and name of Jesus Christ. If we do not believe in Him, how can we truly use His name?

This is not to say that when miracles do not immediately happen that the people praying have a weak faith. Often the opposite is true. It seems like a get out clause, but God decides if and when He will grant what we pray for, according to His will and purposes, and according to what is good for us. Unfortunately, due to the short-sighted and short-lived nature of man, we do not always see what His plans are or when they bear their fruit. I have prayed and witnessed and prayers that, at first, seemed not to be answered, only for the answer to come and their petition granted at a later date, when the time was right.

Why do people deny miracles?

“‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

(from Luke 16:31 - New International Version)

Unfortunately, we also live in a time when people seek to disprove miraculous works, looking for logical and scientific reasons behind what happened, rather than accepting that the grace of God has intervened. People want to discount miracles because, if they accept that a miracle has happened, they would have to acknowledge the existence of God. This would then have a profound effect on their lives and how they live them, as they would know that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. A Heaven they would no doubt have previously denied the existence of. Some people have such pride and fear in their lives that it will not allow a change of heart.

Why do God and Jesus work miracles?

“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.’”

(Genesis 17:1-2 - New International Version)

God uses miracles to fulfil the covenants (promises) that He makes with His people. We can look at Abraham and Sarah, childless even at such advanced age, yet God promised that their offspring would create a nation. Despite their surprise, Sarah conceived at a ripe old age and Isaac was born, the start of the nation of Israel, leading onwards to Jesse’s son King David and eventually to Jesus Himself, fulfilling the promises made in the Old Testament and confirmed in the New Testament.

“In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.”

(Isaiah 11:10 - New International Version)

“Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?”

(John 7:42 - New International Version)

Throughout the Old Testament there are many examples of God working miracles to ensure that His promises are kept and His covenant with His people is fulfilled.

In the New Testament it tells us that Jesus performed countless miracles, many of which are unrecorded in detail, as it is the fact that they occurred rather than these details which is important. Jesus was demonstrating His power through His miracles.

However, it is clear that those which are recorded in detail are done to clearly show that, in Jesus, God was both fulfilling His covenant and demonstrating His power over the earth and all in it. For example:

·         Water into wine – power over creation.

·         The loaves and fish – power over creation.

·         Healing the sick – power over corruption.

·         Healing the blind – He is the light.

·         Resurrection of Lazarus – power over death.

Jesus’ miracles showed who He is. Jesus is not simply a prophet, or someone making hollow claims to be the Messiah. God used miracles so that His people would know Jesus is the Son of God.

“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.”

(Acts 2:22 - New International Version)

Miracles today?

In considering whether miracles still happen today, whether the thousands of reports of signs and wonders, from all around the world, are true and from God or the delusions of a people desperate to believe (as those opposed to God see it) we need to consider the following simple question:

Does God break His promises?

I believe that God never breaks promises. He fulfilled His covenant at every step throughout history and will not step aside now. We know God is consistent and timeless. So is the power of the name of Jesus:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

(Hebrews 13:8 - New International Version)

Jesus promised we would be able to do greater things than even He did. It was a promise, a covenant made with Him as the Son of God, fulfilled when we receive the Holy Spirit.

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”

(John 14:12 - New International Version)

However, if we base our faith solely on miracles, then we do not see the whole picture. Jesus did not live and die to perform ‘party tricks’. He came to save the world. We must believe in Jesus’ death, resurrection; that He is the way, the truth and the light. There have been times when people have witnessed miracles, but as time passes and memory fades, so does their faith. We need to ensure that our faith is strong and mature, based on more than just what we see. We need to believe in the greatest miracle of all.

The greatest miracle?

Jesus provided the way, through His sacrifice, for the forgiveness of sin and our redemption in the eyes of God.