By Dr. Ken Crocker
With Debbie Jansen
There are 35 miracles recorded in the earthly ministry of Jesus. They all had a divine purpose. Yet, Jesus never staged one to impress people. He refused to provide miracles for problems that have a human solution. A prime example is when Jesus fed 5,000 people with a little boy’s lunch. He could have fed them without the lunch, but he used what was available.
Jesus warned against the desire to use miracles to avoid the discipline of ordinary work, care, and forethought. (John 6:26) John 21 records a miracle when Jesus appeared after the resurrection. The disciples had fished all night and caught nothing. They saw Jesus on the shore with a fire and a few fish. He called to them to throw their nets on the other side of the boat. The haul of fish was so massive they couldn’t get it all to shore. Yet, the nets did not break. To the astonished disciples, the resurrected Lord urged them to bring their catch of fish and add it to his miraculous supply.
It is evident from even a casual reading that the Bible is a demand for discipline. There are hundreds of examples showing the results of discipline and hard work. More examples show the negative consequences when discipline is avoided. Those who can submit and embrace a life of discipline are rewarded with a perfected character. Doing the right thing comes easy when you make it a habit. For example, a 20-year career military officer doesn’t have to think about saluting a fellow officer. It’s automatic.
Emphasizing the miracles may create a desire for a magical answer to this problem of discipline and hard work. A person may pray for God to miraculously save their marriage yet be unwilling to correct the many flaws in their character. They refuse to admit the real cause of the problem. Another man prays with equal fervor for God to supply the money to pay his bills yet continues to charge amounts that exceed his income. A miracle could save him, but so would temperance and self-control.
The worst malingerer is the man who prays for God to save the world yet, refuses to do anything to fix the problem. He hopes God will provide a miracle for the commands found in the scriptures. Biblical teaching clearly sets the bar for salvation. It is the everyday duty of all Christians to witness to others.
As a minister, I have seen astonishing miracles. I believe in miracles, and I promise God will provide them when there is no other way. But they don’t happen every day, and often when we want one in the worst way – it fails to materialize. Numerous stories in the New Testament had tragic endings just as sad as Calvary. Every disciple except one was martyred.
What about miracles? Should we just walk away and not expect God to intervene? No. God insists on personal responsibility and hard work so we can grow and become a strong powerhouse. But He also provides miracles because he loves us and never wants us to lose all hope.
Trust Him! Sounds like a good plan to me.