Psalm 66:5: “Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles He performs for people!”
A couple of weeks ago, when I recounted the top 40 most commonly cited Bible verses, I was a little surprised to see one rather innocuous one at spot #30, from the Gospel of John: “On the third day, a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there” (John 2:1). It seemed like a verse that relied heavily on the narrative to follow and, as many of you might already suspect, this is the scene where Jesus famously turned water into wine. A postscript to the story illustrates its importance, “This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed His glory. And His disciples believed in Him” (v11).
And so it was a miracle. It varies, but the first use of the word in the Old Testament in both the King James and New International Version is Exodus 7:9. Though not the first use of the word in the English Standard Version, the translation words that particular verse nicely: “‘When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Prove yourselves by working a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent’” (emphasis mine).
“Prove yourself” by working a miracle. A miracle, then, is not only an amazing display of wonder—but it authenticates the source. Even the end of the verse above says that “His disciples believe in Him.” They didn’t just believe Him, period. “OK, Jesus. You turned water into wine. This is definitely wine. Nice job, I suppose.” They believed in Him—and the context is greater than just this one act. Believing something means you know it to be true. Believing in something means you know what it means to you. Jesus also began proving Himself to those around Him.
Jesus’ second miracle, perhaps less cited, occurs two chapters later in John 4 in the same town of Cana. An officer there laments to Jesus about his sick son, who is about to die. “Jesus asked, ‘Must I do miraculous signs and wonders before you people will believe in me?’” (v48).
Now naturally, we shouldn’t test God—and a miracle is not a guarantee that everyone will accept Jesus’ dominion as authoritative, seen only eight chapters later with John 12:37: “But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in Him.” So in John 4, Jesus acknowledges that miracles should not be instant bait to get our rebellious hearts to align with the majesty of God. But they still have their place and Jesus heals the dying child, just with His words. “Go back home,” He tells the man. “Your son will live!” (v50b).
And he does. But that’s not the end of the story—because these people would be an exception to that verse in John 12. “And the officer and his entire household believed in Jesus. This was Jesus’ second miraculous sign in Galilee after coming from Judea” (v53b-54). Again, these people believe in Jesus—and Jesus’ actions become a springboard into these individuals tasting the true waters of His salvation. Perhaps the miracle is not just that Jesus transforms beverages at a wedding or even the health of a child—but that he also transforms the dark hearts of men and women everywhere.
Because, on that note, I must tell you all that I have witnessed a miracle. It’s not a sequel of water into wine, but it’s one that perhaps we all experience time and again. It’s the miracle that lifts me out of the valley and untangles me from the dire wreckage, the painful memories, the sad mistakes. It’s the miracle that gives us hope and opportunity, an unflinching beacon so fierce it will pierce the most impenetrable depths of our souls and renovate those rooms we never wanted anyone to visit. It’s the miracle that supports me, the miracle that saves me, the miracle that soothes me, the miracle that satisfies me like nothing else I’ve ever known—and I’ve known plenty of empty wells to make that claim. Maybe you have too. One drop of poison corrupts—but one drop of the truth of this miracle restores me. I am wounded but I am healing before I have a chance to protest it all.
The greatest miracle I have ever witnessed in my entire life is that, even after knowing every remaining ounce of darkness in my heart, Jesus still turns to me and says, “My child, how I love you.”
And He’s turning to you with the exact same message—not so He can sustain that darkness but so He can scatter it.
Because I know myself and Jesus knows me more than I know myself—so if I recognize some discretions against our holy God, imagine those I don’t! I’ve denied like Peter, I’ve betrayed like Judas. I’ve made sin my waltzing partner for far too long and still I return for the last dance. And that’s often when Jesus steps in, hurt by the past but assured by the future over which He is sovereign: “I will wash away your guilt,” He says. “I will take the mess you’ve made and help you rise above it. Learn from Me, worship Me, commune with Me. I long for you to. Yes, you are broken. But you’re also Mine.”
No more conditional love (not really love at all), no more bells and whistles. My testimony rustles the leaves but Jesus silences the tumult altogether. Does this mean I’ll never make another mistake for as long as I live? No. We don’t come to the cross in spite of grace but in recognition of it. Indeed, the “greatest miracle” lasts a lifetime.
Galatians 3:5: “I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.”
Believe, my friends, that miracles still happen. You just might be living proof.
–Mike
