SEVEN MIRACLES IN JOHN PT. 2 Larry W Peebles May 15, 2020 20.17
One simple outline for the Gospel of John is this:
Opening-John 1:1-18. Beginning with verse 1, “In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”, this opening contains some of the most profound revelation concerning Jesus found anywhere in the Bible.
Seven “I AM” statements- Jesus told us who He is in His own words with statements containing the phrase “I AM”, such as “I AM the Way the Truth and the Life”. These are listed in Pt. 1 of this article, and are discussed in some detail in previous articles.
Seven miracles- John chose seven miracles to show who Jesus is. The first three were discussed in Pt. 1. The remaining four will be discussed in this Pt. 2.
Conclusion- John 20:30-31, and 21:25. John is clear he saw Jesus do many other miracles. There were so many “the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” John chose these seven to write about “that you [we] may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”
These are the seven miracles John chose:
Miracle 1: Water into Wine (John 2:1-11).
Miracle 2: Healing the Official’s Son (John 4:43-54).
Miracle 3: The Healing at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-9).
Miracle 4: The Feeding of the 5000 (John 6:1-14). Jesus crossed over the Sea of Galilee, and a large crowd followed Him “because they saw the miraculous signs which He performed on those who were diseased.” He went into a remote area, up on a mountain. When He observed the crowd continuing to follow, He pointed out to the disciples the people would need to be fed, because there was no place to eat nearby. He asked Philip where they could buy bread, knowing the answer. Philip said two hundred denarii would buy only a small piece of bread for each one, as there were 5000 men, plus women and children. Andrew found a small boy with five barley loaves and two small fish, but admitted that was woefully inadequate to feed the crowd. Jesus had everyone sit down, took the bread and fish, gave thanks, and gave them to the disciples to distribute to those seated. The disciples passed out bread and fish until everyone had eaten their fill. He then had the disciples gather the left-overs, which filled twelve baskets, more than they started with. The conclusion among the men was “This is truly the Prophet who is come into the world.” (v.14).
This is a practical demonstration of the Lord’s promise that if we seek His kingdom and His righteousness, all our other needs will be met as well (Matthew 6:31-33). The bread and the fish multiplied before the eyes and in the hands of the disciples. The followers of Jesus will never again feel that emptiness that told them there’s more to life than just having their physical needs met. This is what Jesus meant when He said “I AM the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35). Jesus met their physical needs and more to show that there is an abundant life in Him that exceeds all we will ever experience trying to do this life without Him.
A revivalist/evangelist friend of mine has made almost twenty trips to India to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of Jesus. I have traveled with him, and talked to the witnesses who can attest to this story. On one trip, a conference was planned for pastors. God had spoken to my friend and told him to present a new shirt and tie to each pastor in attendance. There were 285 registrations, and that many new shirts and ties were purchased, packed, and taken on the trip. Food was planned and prepared for 285 as well. On the day of the conference, 1100 pastors showed up, some traveling great distances. The teaching and preaching was powerful. The presence of the Holy Spirit was wonderful. At the lunch break, all 1100 pastors ate their fill. For many, this would be the only meal of the day. The food did not run out, with many coming back for seconds. Later that afternoon, the conference concluded, and it was time to distribute the parting gifts to those in attendance. One by one, each pastor was handed a new shirt and tie, the gift God had desired to give each of those precious pastors. The last pastor received the last shirt and tie. There were enough for all! No one went home hungry or without a new shirt and tie. Their stomachs were full, they were clothed, and they were filled with the Word of God. Jesus still does miracles, and in every sense, He is still (I AM) the bread of life.
Miracle 5: Jesus Walked on the Water (John 6:16-21). At evening of the same day Jesus had fed the 5000, the disciples rowed across the sea toward Capernaum. A great wind was blowing, and the sea waves became heavy. Three or four miles across, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat. They were afraid. Jesus said- “It is I; do not be afraid.” They willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.
Here are two interesting points. First, when Jesus said “It is I”, that response will also translate “It is I AM.” The “I AM” was walking on the water. Second, the other Gospels add to John’s version without contradicting. Matthew recorded this was the occasion where Peter was invited to walk on the water with Jesus, which he did, until the fear returned due to the waves (Matthew 14:26-33). Both Matthew and Mark reported the disciples initially thought Jesus was “a ghost”, which added to the fear, and that the wind ceased immediately when Jesus got into the boat (Mark 6:49-51). Matthew recorded the rightful conclusion among the disciples-“Truly you are the Son of God.”
Miracle 6: Healing the Man Born Blind (John 9:1-34). A man had been blind from birth. Jesus made some mud and put it on his eyes, then told him to wash it off. When he did as instructed, he could see. The religious leaders were furious, although their own teachings predicted a miracle of this caliber could only come from God or the long-awaited Messiah. Not only was this unheard of, Jesus had done this on the Sabbath. They attempted to discredit the story by interviewing the parents to see if their son was blind from birth, and by interviewing the man to get his opinion as to the credentials and identity of the person who had healed him. They wanted to know if Jesus was a Prophet, a sinner, or perhaps the Messiah. The man famously replied that these things he did not know, but “one thing I know; that though I was blind, now I see.” That fact was indisputable. Only Jesus can cause the naturally and spiritually blind to see again. He alone can open blind eyes to the truth. The religious leaders failed their own eye test.
Miracle 7: Raising Lazarus from the Dead (John 11:1-44). Jesus knew that his friend Lazarus was sick, but waited until he was dead and buried before responding to his sister’s call for help. He did this so He could bring Lazarus back to life. Jesus told them to roll back the stone to the grave, and dramatically called Lazarus out of the tomb. He ordered the grave clothes removed, so Lazarus could be set free from death, and released to live. This is a graphic example of the same offer He makes to all- to save us from death and destruction, and to live in eternity with Him. This is summarized in another I AM statement. John 11:25-26- “I AM the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though He may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” This final question is one He continues to ask today. He demonstrated absolute authority over life and death, even conquering His own grave. If we believe He is the Son of God and submit to His reign over our lives, we have that eternal life. We cannot save ourselves, nor will our works save us. Jesus is (I AM) the door.
Jesus did many other miracles, recorded in the other Gospels, such as heal the lame, heal the deaf mute, heal leprosy, feed 4000, and cast out demons. When He met the woman at the well, He told her life story. These miracles showed not just His power and authority—they showed His heart. The scriptures say that on more than one occasion ALL who came to Him were healed. His heart is that all would be restored to a full life without limitation or sickness, free from the bondage of sin. We see in these miracles both His hand (acts/power) and His heart (will/intention) toward us.
Years ago I received a miracle healing in my back. While I am today still most grateful for the physical touch and relief of pain, the greater long-term effect was that my world was shaken. God became real to me, and I had to pursue Him. I had to study His word, study His ways, and do all I could to tell others about Him. I wanted to serve Him. My miracle became my testimony. My life was changed forever. The miracles of Jesus, which continue today, are still changing lives and changing the world. May our blind eyes be opened to what is going on around us, and may we be changed into His likeness.
