“John recorded them . . . to urge us to believe in the tender presence and mighty power of Christ. This montage of miracles proclaims: God’s got this! Think it’s up to you and you ain’t much? Hogwash. God can carry you. You’re stronger than you think because God is nearer than you know.”- Max Lucado
Max Lucado concludes Chapter 1 of Never Alone as he observes that John recorded his montage of miracles performed by Jesus to urge us to believe in His tender presence and mighty power. Therefore, all of Jesus’ miracles stand together as one voice. And those miracles call on you to lift your eyes and open your heart to this possibility and reality. That reality? – Jesus, the greatest force in the universe, means you well and brings you hope.
Furthermore, Jesus touched wounds and spoke words of hope. He bestowed blessing. In addition, His miracles carried the message that He cared and was present for people. As Pastor Lucado explains, Jesus wanted us to see much more than a power performance:
“Had Jesus wanted just to make a case for his divinity, he could have materialized a flock of birds out of thin air and caused trees to uproot and float away. He could have turned creeks into waterfalls or rocks into bumblebees. Such deeds would have demonstrated his power. But Jesus wanted us to see more. He wanted to show us that there is a miracle-working God who loves, cares, and comes to our aid.”
Finally, Max notes, we all want to know that someone cares. Above all, the apostle John wanted us to know that Someone cares. John wanted us to believe and set our weight fully upon the strength of our loving God. A God who meets us in the midst of life’s messes – who never hesitates about stepping into the thorny thickets of our world. Then lifting us out.
Today’s question: How does John’s montage of miracles testify to the tender presence and mighty power of Christ? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Turned your deficit into a prayer?”
