#53: The Apologetics of Jesus: His Miracles

Hello thinker,

This month we continue our discussion of the apologetics of Jesus based primarily on the book of the same name by Normal Geisler and Patrick Zukeran. [1] Last month we looked at Jesus’ use of testimony; this month we discuss his apologetic use of signs – specifically, miracles – as proof of his true identity.

The Greek word most often used in the New Testament for a sign is semeion. It means “a sign by which one recognizes a particular person or thing and which serves as an authenticating mark.” It is used 48 times in the Gospels and 77 times in the NT. Jesus knew that the Jews believed only God could perform miracles (Exodus 8:19) and used this apologetic approach to gain their attention.

In general, God uses miracles for several reasons. According to Geisler and Zukeran, miracles . . .

• attract attention;

• have a theological dimension - God can alter his laws of nature whenever he so

  desires;

• have a moral dimension – they reflect God’s character and bring glory to him;

• have a doctrinal dimension – they are associated with truth claims, and confirm

  God’s message and messenger; and 

• have a teleological (purposeful) dimension – they are not intended to entertain but

  to glorify God and provide evidence that God’s authority is upon the messenger.

Jesus performed many types of miracles that confirmed his divinity and authority over all creation. First, he demonstrated his supernatural knowledge – his omniscience. In John 1:43-51 Jesus revealed he knew Nathanael’s location and thoughts. Nathanael immediately recognized this and called him the Son of God. In John 4:1-38 Jesus reveals his supernatural knowledge of the Samaritan woman’s previous husbands and present immoral relationship. She later asks her friends if this could be the Christ.

Second, Jesus demonstrates his authority over the natural world. In Luke 8:22-25 he calms the storm; in John 2:1-11 he turns water into wine; and in John 6:16-24 he walks on water. Christ also cures leprosy (Matthew 8:1-4), blindness (Mark 10:46-52; John 9:1-2), sickness (John 4:43-54), and paralysis (John 5:1-15). Third, Jesus demonstrated authority over the spiritual realm. He exorcised demons from two men (Matthew 8:28-34), a boy (Mark 9:14-32; Luke 9:37-45), and the Gerasene demoniac (Luke 8:26-39).

Fourth, Jesus demonstrates an ability to provide for the physical needs of people. In Matthew 14:13-21 he feeds five thousand and, again, four thousand in Matthew 15:29-39. In Luke 5:1-11 he delivers a miraculous catch of fish. Fifth, Jesus demonstrated his authority over sin. In Mark 2:1-2 Jesus heals a paralytic and forgives his sins. He then tells the Jewish leaders he did this so “that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (vv. 10-11).

And, sixth, Jesus demonstrates that he is the source of life. He raises from the dead Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:21-24, 35-43), the widow’s son (Luke 7:11-17), and Lazarus (John 11).

Geisler and Zukeran conclude, 

            Through his wide variety of miracles, Jesus demonstrates his authority over

            every realm of creation. The vast array of Christ’s miracles confirms he is ‘the 

            image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation’ (Col 1:15). In short,

            miracles are used repeatedly as Christ’s [evidential] apologetic to confirm and

            defend his message.

But Jesus did not stop there. When people did not recognize the reason for his miracles, he explained it to them ( at times). For example,  he told the Jewish leaders, “The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me” (John 10:25); he added, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” (v. 32); and told them, yet, again, “Even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father” (v. 38).

There is much more we could say about Christ’s miracles – and the Father’s –  throughout history. Instead, I point you to, perhaps, the best analysis and discussion of miracles by pastor, theologian, and New Testament professor Craig S. Keener entitled, Miracles. It is a two-volume set (over 1200 pages!) that examines the history and explanations for miracles. Keener concludes that the historical – and present day – evidence for miracles is overwhelming and, at least, deserves scholarly discussion.

In Christ,

Doug

[1] Most of this short essay is drawn from chapter 2 (pp. 27-45) of the book, The Apologetics of Jesus by Norman L. Geisler and Patrick Zukeran. All uncited quotes are from this chapter.

[2] Miracles by Craig S. Keener. It was Christianity Today’s Book of the Year in 2011.