Signs and wonders are always fascinating and desirable. We introduce Jesus to the world by talking of the signs, wonders and miracles He performed. Sadly, we totally miss the point of why Jesus came into the world – for our salvation. We find it easier to convince people about Jesus explaining His miracle working power rather than the forgiveness of sins and salvation. We have not gone very far from what happened in the gospels. In the book of Matthew 14:35-36 it records, “After Jesus and his disciples arrived at Gennesaret, the people of the region recognized Jesus and brought their sick to him. They begged Jesus to let them touch the edge of his coat, and everyone who touched it was healed.”. People crowded around Jesus to touch the hem of His garment so they can get physiological healing.
In John 6:2 it is recorded, “A huge crowd was following him because they saw the signs that he was performing by healing the sick.” Quickly people were attracted and drawn closer to Jesus for physical healing and to witness miracles. In John 6:30 people ask, “what sign, then are you going to do so that we may believe you?” they asked what are you going to perform?”. They soon understood miracles and signs as performance and criterion for endorsing Jesus as God. Signs and wonders were never meant to believe in Jesus as God and a way to salvation. They kept asking for more as healing was exciting and entertaining. Now why do I say entertaining? If you notice during Jesus’ trial, Herod was longing to see Jesus so that he may perform a sign. Luke 23:8 "When Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him"
The signs Moses performed in the presence of Pharoah weren’t enough to convince him about Yahweh. This is because the magicians were equally performing signs and wonders. Is it not the case even today? There are many non-Christians are performing magic, driving out demons and healing the sick. Hence, if you showcase miracles, signs and wonders, you are not doing anything extraordinary. When people’s need are met, they are gone. The failure on our part is when we fail to talk about life transformation and the gift of salvation. People with the gift of healing, signs and wonders are celebrities abandoning the gospel.
Matthew 11:20 records, “Then he (Jesus) proceeded to denounce the towns where most of his miracles were done, because they did not repent.”. The key here is that many got healed and received benefits, but few transformed. Jesus denounced these towns where there was no repentance. The dire need of the Church today is to equip its believers to be a witness and share the gospel effectively. We hardly talk about repentance and forsaking of sins. Today’s church is about Jesus promising that all our problems will be solved so we can lead a comfortable and luxurious life. There are generations in churches who have not once shared the gospel. Church is all about fellowships, age-appropriate meetings, big offerings but never the sharing of the gospel. The only result is that Christian leaders become celebrities, but Jesus is nowhere to be found.
Rightly in Jeremiah 8:20 Prophet laments these words, “The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved.”. If we are truly saved, then we cannot contain ourselves. We will be like Peter and John even while threatened they said, “for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20. We keep twisting the process, it is the other way around. It is first salvation and then follows signs and miracles. Mark 16:15-17 “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe...”. Jesus asked us to preach the gospel, make disciples and baptize them to be saved.
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