SEEING THE GREATEST MIRACLE OF ALL

Jesus did a great diversity of miracles. He healed the sick, raised the dead, cast out demons and walked on water. But the question is, what is the greatest miracle of all?

TRUE STORY 

About seven years ago, a work colleague claimed to be a Christian, based on growing up in a Christian household. I challenged him about the New birth and told him that unless a man is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).

At the end of our shift, he approached me and asked if I can explain more about Jesus. I joyfully answered his questions and shared the Gospel to him. To my greatest amazement he began to weep and expressed deep repentance for his sin. I encouraged him to pray and ask God to forgive him and trust in Jesus. 

After that day I did not see him for a year, as he left to study for a PHD in another city. I eventually saw him about eighteen months later. I asked him, if he was a true Christian in the sense of what the Bible teaches. His response was a strong statement of, ‘Are you Joking’? and he went on to tell me that one of his online passwords was JESUS’. He was so passionate about his faith that he challenged me, and asked if I was still going to church and reading my Bible daily.  

To see, a spiritually dead person raised to life, was such a joyful experience (Ephesians 2:5-6). It’s the greatest miracle of all and it is the reason why Christ came. Ultimately, the salvation of a dead sinner transcends any other miracle. 

GREATER WORKS 

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12 ESV

Our Lord Jesus gives an extraordinary promise to His followers that they will do greater works than Him. Unfortunately, this verse is often misunderstood as if all believers are commanded to do greater miracles than Jesus. 

The problem with this interpretation is that, it’s hard to see anyone coming close to the miracles of Jesus. Miracles such as, the raising of Lazarus, Jesus walking on water, turning water into wine and the feeding of the multitudes.

However, the greater works is not referring to power or greater miracles but the extent of multitudes saved through His Word and Spirit. 

Jesus’s works were restricted to a small geographical areas and not extended to the ends of the earth. Hence, the greater works is the salvation of millions after His Ascension. Amazingly, the miracle of salvation, revealed the glorified Christ for who is and what He accomplished in His death and resurrection.

“Now in the splendour of his exaltation, the Son’s purpose does not change, he enables his own to do greater things in order that he may bring glory to the Father” Don Carson

Christ does the works through His church and individual believers. The salvation of my work colleague was the fruit of the glorified Christ. As Christians our primary goal is to proclaim the glory of Christ. It’s important to note that, Jesus’s miracles were an authentication of His divine identity and authority (John 11:41-42).

The signs were pointers for people to believe in the Gospel (John 2:23, 11:45). In addition, His miracles served other purposes. For instance, He was moved with compassion towards the poor and sick (Matthew 14:14). As He came to reveal and advance the kingdom of God (Matthew 12:28). So what’s the greatest miracle of all? Well, it’s when a spiritually dead person is raised to life. This miracle is not temporal in nature but eternal.

Amazingly, that can happen through the simple proclamation of the gospel of Christ. Most importantly, this miracle is done exclusively by God not us. The Church is commanded to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). But also, individual Christians are commanded to be a light in the world through their works and the preaching of the Gospel.

Therefore, let’s seek His kingdom and when we seek, we will see the glory of God. According to His sovereign will, we will see the greatest miracle of the salvation of many and the advancement of God’s kingdom.