Who Is Jesus, Lesson 10: The Signs: Why Jesus Worked Miracles

Welcome to Authorized Sword Ministries. This is Lesson 10 in our series, Who Is Jesus? Today's lesson is called The Signs: Why Jesus Worked Miracles.

We're so glad you're here.

In Lesson 2 we saw that Jesus "went about doing good." Today we go deeper into why those mighty works were given. They were not tricks to draw a crowd. They were signs, pointing to who He is.

Our Key Verse

"And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."
— John 20:30-31 (KJV)

John calls them "signs." A sign points beyond itself. The miracles were written so that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing we might have life.

When John the Baptist sent to ask if Jesus was the One, Jesus answered with the works themselves:

"…the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached."
— Luke 7:22 (KJV)

The signs preach. Let us look at four of them.

Water to Wine

The first sign was at a wedding in Cana. The wine ran out, which would have shamed the family. Mary, the mother of Jesus, brought the need to Him. He turned water into wine, and John tells us why it mattered:

"This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him."
— John 2:11 (KJV)

He met a real need at an ordinary wedding, and in doing it He manifested His glory. The same Jesus who cares about a family's honor is the Lord of creation, able to change water at His word. The first sign was not in a palace. It was in a home, at a marriage, with a mother's concern and a Saviour's power.

Peace, Be Still

On the sea, a storm rose that frightened even seasoned fishermen. Jesus was asleep in the ship. They woke Him, and

"And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."
— Mark 4:39 (KJV)

The men were left asking what manner of man this is, that even the wind and the sea obey Him. The psalms say the Lord stills the waves. This sign tells us that the One in the boat is the Lord of the earth and the sea. And it still speaks to a troubled heart: He can say, "Peace, be still," to the storm you cannot calm.

Bread for the Thousands

A great crowd was hungry, and the disciples had five loaves and two fishes. Jesus looked up to heaven, blessed, broke, and gave.

"And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full."
— Matthew 14:20 (KJV)

He did not barely stretch the food. They were filled, and baskets were left over. This is the same Lord who later said, "I am the bread of life." The sign in the wilderness points to the gift of Himself. He is able to supply, and He is able to satisfy.

Lazarus, Come Forth

Lazarus had been dead four days. Martha and Mary had sent for Jesus, and they both said, "if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." Jesus wept. Then He stood at the grave.

"And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go."
— John 11:43-44 (KJV)

This is more than kindness to a family He loved, though it is that. It is a sign that He is the resurrection and the life, as He had told Martha. The voice that called one man out of the grave will one day call all who are in the graves. Death is not stronger than Jesus.

What the Signs Are For

We could keep going: lepers cleansed, a woman who had suffered twelve years made whole, Jairus's daughter raised, the eyes of the blind opened. In every case the miracle meets a need and reveals the Son of God. John says they were written so that you might believe, and that believing you might have life through His name.

The greatest sign is still ahead in our next lessons, and we have already seen it in this course: He Himself rose from the dead. All the other signs bow to that one.

A Simple Step for This Week

Read John 20:30-31 each day, and then read one of the four accounts we studied: John 2, Mark 4, Matthew 14, or John 11. Ask, "What does this sign show me about who Jesus is?" Write down your answer.

A Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for the signs You gave, that we might believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God. Manifest Your glory to our hearts. Give us life through Your name, and teach us to trust You in our needs and in our storms. In Your name, amen.

Thank you for spending this time with us. This is Authorized Sword Ministries. God bless you.

Study Questions

1. According to John 20:30-31, why were the signs written?
2. What is a "sign," and how is that different from a mere wonder?
3. How did Jesus answer John's disciples in Luke 7:22?
4. What two results does John 2:11 name after the miracle at Cana?
5. What did Jesus say to the sea in Mark 4:39, and what happened?
6. After the feeding of the thousands, how much was left, according to Matthew 14:20?
7. What did Jesus cry at Lazarus's grave, and what did He tell the people to do when Lazarus came forth?
8. How do Martha and Mary in John 11 show us that Jesus cares for grieving people?
9. Which of these signs most strengthens your faith right now, and why?
10. How will you use John 20:31 if someone asks why the miracles matter?