Jesus, The Miracle Worker

“It’s a Miracle!” (Or Is It?)

We often hear the word “miracle” tossed around lightly. Someone finds a good parking spot on Black Friday and says, “It’s a miracle!” Our baby sleeps all night, and parents say, “It’s a miracle.” A sports commentator describes a last-second touchdown as a “miracle catch.” In movies like The Santa Clause or Elf, characters say, “It’s a Christmas miracle,” when something surprising or heartwarming happens.

But if everything unusual is a “miracle,” then nothing is. The Bible has a higher and holier view of miracles: they are not lucky breaks, emotional surprises, or unexpected wins. But if a miracle isn’t any of these things, what are they? I’m glad you asked.

What This Study Explores

In this study, we will ask three key questions:

1. What is a miracle?
2. Why did Jesus perform miracles, and is there any extra-biblical evidence for them?
3. Do miracles still happen today, and should Christians seek them?

What is a Miracle?

A miracle occurs when God intervenes in the natural world with His power, causing the normal laws of nature to be set aside. In other words, it’s a supernatural act of God happening within our natural world. These acts of God’s great power, often referred to as “signs, wonders, or mighty works” (Exodus 7:3; Deuteronomy 6:22; Psalm 135:9; Acts 2:22, 4:30, 5:12; Romans 15:19; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:4) aroused the awe and amazement they had for Him. Some biblical examples include:

• Exodus 7–14: God suspends nature (plagues, Red Sea).
• Joshua 10:12-14: The sun stands still, showing God’s direct intervention.
• John 2:1–11: Jesus’ first miracle at Cana revealed His glory.
• John 11:38-44: Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.
• Acts 3:1–10: The healing of the lame man, which validates apostolic preaching.

These are just a sampling of the miracles found within the pages of Scripture, but they are sufficient in providing examples of what a miracle is, so we can know what it is not.

Why did Jesus perform miracles, and is there any extra-biblical evidence for them?

Why did Jesus perform miracles?

The gospels record 37 miracles of Jesus. These mighty works of Jesus include making the lame walk, the blind see, the deaf hear, the dead return to life, calming a raging storm and sea, and feeding thousands with a boy’s lunch. While Jesus’ miracles stimulate my inner child’s imagination and wonder, why did Jesus perform miracles? Couldn’t He have validated His being sent from God with His teaching with authority and perfect morals?

Jesus performed miracles to fulfill prophecy.

Truth be told, Jesus couldn’t have proven that He was the long-awaited Messiah without performing miracles. Remember our study, “Who is the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament?” about how God gave Israel prophecies about the Messiah so they could correctly identify Him without a doubt. Some of these prophecies, such as Isaiah 3:5-6, explain that when the Anointed One arrived, He would cause the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the mute to speak, and the lame to walk. By fulfilling prophecy, He revealed that He was the Christ.

Jesus performed miracles to reveal His identity.

When John the Baptist was in prison, he sent some of his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the one to come or if they should look for another. Jesus instructed them to return and report to John what they had heard and seen (Matthew 11:1-4). After saying these words to them, He put on a clinic of miracles and quoted Isaiah 35:5-6.

“the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” (Matthew 11:5, NLT)

Jesus wanted to remind John the Baptist about what Isaiah said the Messiah would do: He would perform powerful acts and preach the Good News to the poor. Jesus was doing what Isaiah had noted the coming one would do, and thus answered John’s doubt by reminding him of what the Scriptures said. He also allowed John’s disciples to see Him fulfill the Scriptures before their eyes, so they could confidently tell John that Jesus is indeed the one their Scriptures pointed to. Knowing what the Bible tells us about the Baptizer, I’m confident that his disciples’ report of what they heard and saw assured John that Jesus was God’s Anointed.

Jesus performed miracles so that people would believe in Him.

Sometimes, Jesus’ miracles led people to believe (John 2:11; 9:30–33; 11:45), or at least made the crowds more receptive to His teaching (Mark 12:37; Luke 5:15; Hebrews 2:3-4). However, the reality is that most people still rejected Him, even after witnessing undeniable displays of His power (John 10:30-39). Scripture is clear: miracles by themselves don’t guarantee faith (Matthew 13:58; Luke 16:31; John 2:23–25; 12:37; 15:24). And those who reject the evidence of His miracles—then or now—will face God’s severe judgment (Matthew 10:1–15; Luke 10:1–15).

Jesus performed miracles to glorify the Father.

In John 11, the Apostle tells us about Jesus restoring life to Lazarus. Before Jesus even begins His journey to Bethany, He tells His disciples that His friend’s sickness will not end in death, but rather God will be glorified by those involved and hear about what would take place (John 11:4).

Later, Jesus ordered the stone to Lazarus’ tomb to be rolled away when Martha protested because of the stench of her brother’s decaying body. Jesus reminded her that she would see the glory of God if she believed (John 11:40). Martha relented, and then Jesus prayed to the Father so that all gathered would know that He had sent Him into the world based upon what they would soon see (John 11:41-42).

Jesus called out “Lazarus” in a loud voice, and he came, still bound in grave clothes, to the cave’s entrance. Jesus ordered those present to unbind him. John 11:45 tells us that many who were with Mary believed in Jesus after witnessing this miracle. When these people in John 11:45 believed, God was honored because it demonstrated that His plan of salvation in Christ was at work, His Son was being exalted, and His Spirit was drawing people to Himself.

Is there evidence outside the Bible that Jesus performed miracles?

Some have no problem accepting the Bible at face value concerning its miracle content, whether God, an Old Testament prophet, an Apostle, or Jesus Himself did these mighty acts. However, for some, the Bible’s miracles can be a stumbling block.

The Jefferson Bible

Take Thomas Jefferson, for example. Jefferson was the third president of the United States and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. He is known not only for shaping a nation but also for reshaping the Bible.

With a razor and scissors in hand, Jefferson literally cut passages from Scripture that he found objectionable. The result became known as the “Jefferson Bible” — formally titled The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth. Jefferson admired Jesus’ ethics, especially His moral teaching in places like the Sermon on the Mount. However, he dismissed Jesus’ miracles, denied His divinity, and stripped away the virgin birth, the resurrection, and the ascension. What remained was a Jesus who taught lofty morals but lacked divine power or authority.

The problem with the Jefferson Bible

The problem of cutting away the supernatural is that you no longer have the Christ of Scripture. As John Macarthur put it,

“The historical Jesus of Nazareth and the divine Christ are inseparably linked, for they are one and the same person. Jesus was and is the God-man.”

The Jesus of the Bible and history was a miracle worker. However, in fairness to our skeptical friends or genuine seekers, is there any evidence outside the Bible for Jesus’ ability to perform supernatural works?

Extrabiblical Evidence for Jesus being a miracle worker

Josephus (Antiquities 18.3.3)

In the Antiquities of the Jews, Book 18, section 3, paragraph 3 (written c. AD 93–94), Josephus records:

“At this time there was Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles.”

Most scholars agree that the core of Josephus’s reference to Jesus is authentic, though later Christian scribes may have inserted a few phrases such as “He was the Christ” or “he appeared alive again the third day.” Even so, historians, including many who are skeptical, generally accept that Josephus genuinely described Jesus as a “doer of wonderful works” (paradoxon ergon poietes in Greek, meaning a worker of astonishing deeds). This description lines up with the Gospels’ testimony that Jesus was widely recognized for performing miracles.

What makes this significant is that Josephus, a non-Christian Jewish historian writing for a Roman audience, confirms Jesus’ reputation as a miracle-worker. He may not have understood these works as divine, but the fact that Jesus was remembered for miracles outside of Scripture offers powerful historical confirmation of His ministry.

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 43a)

Babylonian Talmud, tractate Sanhedrin 43a says:

“On the eve of the Passover they hanged Yeshu [Jesus]. And an announcer went out, in front of him, for forty days [saying]: ‘He is going to be stoned, because he practiced sorcery and enticed and led Israel astray. Anyone who knows anything in his favor, let him come and plead for him.’ But not having found anything in his favor, they hanged him on the eve of Passover.”

The Talmud takes a hostile stance toward Jesus, reflecting the Jewish writings of its time, yet it still provides valuable historical insight. It acknowledges that Jesus was executed, which is consistent with the Gospel accounts, and it admits that He was known for performing extraordinary works.

However, instead of attributing these works to God, it dismisses them as “sorcery” or magic. In other words, His opponents did not deny that miracles took place — they only challenged the source of His power.

This matters because even hostile witnesses confirm that Jesus was remembered as a worker of wonders. Just as in the Gospels (for example, Matthew 12:24), critics accused Him of operating by demonic power. The agreement across multiple sources — the Gospels, Josephus, and the Talmud — provides significant historical confirmation of Jesus’ miraculous reputation, not mere legend.

Do miracles still happen today, and should Christians seek them?

This final question can be a theological landmine, as genuine believers hold differing views about miracles and the Church today. I want to define terms before attempting to answer whether miracles are still relevant to the Church today.

The gift of miracles

I want to establish the distinction between the gift of miracles (1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 28-29) and God’s ongoing accomplishment of miracles in and through the lives of His people today. When I consider the miracles performed by God through Moses, Elijah, and the Apostles, and that which Jesus performed, I tend to lean more towards seeing this gift as having ceased in Christ’s Church today.

One reason I favor this view, known as ceasationalism, is that one of the reasons for miracles was to validate the revelation of God until it was preserved for us in written form (Mark 16:20; Acts 14:3; Romans 15:18-19; Hebrews 2:3-4), and we now have the complete revelation of God in written form (Revelation 22:18-19).

Secondly, when I examine the types of miracles performed by prophets, Apostles, and Jesus, I don’t see any viable evidence of followers of Jesus doing mighty works in the same manner (at will, on a large scale, suspending natural laws, or with instantaneous results). Again, I stress that I lean towards this view concerning the sign gifts (healing, miracles, tongues) because of how I understand the Word and from my life experiences, while admitting I do not know it all and my life experiences are limited.

The God Who works miracles

Regardless of your thoughts on my views regarding the gift of miracles compared to yours, know this: I am a firm believer that God still can and does perform miracles today. Our God is the same today as He has been and will be for all eternity. He is still supreme over all His creation and can suspend whatever natural laws He desires to confirm His Word, answer prayer, and glorify Himself. Several weeks ago, this story caught my attention.

Forrest Frank

Recently, Christian artist Forrest Frank shared robust evidence of what he believes was a miraculous healing. After a skateboarding accident left him with fractures in his L3 and L4 vertebrae, doctors expected months of recovery. Frank showed X-rays of the break to his 1.7 million TikTok followers, even pointing out the clear cracks in his spine. One neurosurgeon, after reviewing the scans, commented that such injuries take at least three months to heal — but Frank’s healing happened far faster.

Just weeks later, Frank said he woke up completely pain-free, able to move about without his back brace and lift his toddler son. A follow-up scan revealed no signs of fractures. “I’m pretty much convinced God would’ve healed me day one from all these prayers,” Frank explained, “but He wanted these songs and this testimony to come to life. Regardless, I’m here for it all… THANK YOU, JESUS.”

During his recovery, Frank poured his experience into music, writing God’s Got My Back — a worship anthem that quickly reached millions. For him, the healing wasn’t just physical; it became a testimony pointing people to the power of prayer and the glory of God.

Although a skeptic by nature, I view Forrest’s healing as a miracle performed by our Almighty God to glorify Himself, rather than a speedy recovery.

My father-in-law’s experience

God is not only able to accomplish miracles today by His own will or in response to His people’s prayers indirectly, but He can also use His people to accomplish them physically. Several years ago, my father-in-law was having back pain, and a stranger came up to him as he was leaving the grocery store and asked if he could pray for my father-in-law’s back. Bobby said that he could. The man laid his hands on Bobby’s back and prayed for healing. The result: God took away my father-in-law’s back pain for good. Looking back, this experience was a turning point in his walk with the Lord. Unusual or supernatural answers to prayer can be considered miracles (1 Kings 18:24, 36-38; 17:21; 17:1; 18:41-45).

Should Christians seek miracles today?

Whether or not you believe that the gift of miracles is alive and well today in the Church or not, all believers should agree that God is still able to work miracles today if and as He desires. As we conclude our study, we will evaluate whether or not we should seek miracles today. In other words, should we ask God to do the impossible today?

I think we should seek miracles today. Let me explain why and give us some things to keep in mind as we ask God to do the impossible.

• Asking God to do the impossible or more than we can think or imagine in a situation exercises our faith in Who He has revealed Himself to be in His Word (Acts 4:23-29; Ephesians 3:20).
• We should seek miracles with the right motives (James 4:3). We ought to ask God to move mightily for His glory (Acts 4:30-31)!
• Don’t base your faith on the presence or absence of miracles in your life, but on the person and work of Jesus, as revealed in the Scriptures (John 20:30-31).
• When God moves, share it! Tell others what He has done so that they can see His glory (Psalm 105:1-2).
• Don’t call everything a miracle! Reserve the term “miracle” for extraordinary interventions that glorify Him (Acts 3:8-9; 4:21).
• NEVER desire a miracle more than the Miracle Worker (John 6:26-29).

Conclusion

I pray that this study has been beneficial. Like you, I am growing in my faith and becoming more like Jesus, a little at a time. I am still wrestling with the Scriptures and what they say about the gift of miracles today. Yet, I am sure that God can and still does the impossible in and through the lives of His people in the present. Whether you agree, disagree, or are still undecided about miracles and God’s people today, above all, let us not forget the miracle of a holy God loving rebellious sinners enough to make us right with Him by grace through faith!

Have you experienced the miracle of being forgiven and adopted into God’s family? If not, watch the video below to hear about and experience the greatest of all miracles – how you can become friends with God through Jesus.

Reflection Questions

• Redefining “miracle”: What are some examples of things we often call miracles that are actually God’s providence rather than supernatural intervention? Why is it important to make that distinction?
• Jesus’ miracles: Which miracle of Jesus (healing, raising the dead, calming nature) most strengthens your faith in His identity as Messiah, and why?
• Faith and miracles: Why do you think so many people in the Gospels still rejected Jesus even after witnessing miracles (see John 12:37)? What does that teach us about the relationship between faith and signs?
• Historical evidence: How does knowing that Josephus and the Talmud mention Jesus as a miracle worker strengthen your confidence in the Gospel accounts?
• Modern experiences: Have you ever witnessed or experienced something you believe was a miracle? How did it impact your faith?
• Seeking miracles today: What is the difference between seeking miracles for God’s glory versus seeking them for selfish reasons (see James 4:3)?
• The greater miracle: Why is salvation through Jesus Christ the greatest miracle of all (John 3:3; Ephesians 2:4-5)?

Worship Jesus, the Miracle-Working Messiah!

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