Miracle Or Magic?
READ: John 10:24-42
Though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him. —John 10:38
Did Jesus really walk on water or simply use some nearby sandbars? Did He actually multiply bread and fish to feed 5,000 or just hypnotize the crowd into thinking He did? Was it miracle or magic?
When Christian illusionist Brock Gill explored those questions for a BBC television program, he set aside his personal beliefs to examine the biblical miracles with an open mind. Producer Jean-Claude Bragard said, “Even if an atheist had been chosen as host, the conclusions wouldn’t have changed.” In every case, Gill concluded that Jesus could not have tricked people into believing they had witnessed a miracle.
But many who actually saw Jesus’ miracles refused to believe that He was the Messiah. They were ready to execute Him for claiming to be God (John 10:30-31). Jesus told them, “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the [miracles], that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him” (vv.37-38).
The miracles of Jesus identified Him as the Son of God, the Savior who had come to give His life for the sins of the world. His works and resurrection were not magic tricks, but miracles of love and grace.
It took a miracle to put the stars in place;
It took a miracle to hang the world in space.
But when He saved my soul, cleansed and made me whole,
It took a miracle of love and grace! —Peterson
© Renewal 1976 John W. Peterson Music Co.
Believe in God and you’ll believe in miracles; believe in His Son and you’ll experience one!
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Basics Of Faith > Jesus Christ > Resurrection
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