The number seven in the Bible is considered to be a number of completion.  Seven is the number of days in the week (as shown by the creation of the world and the day of rest).  Therefore, John’s record of seven public miracles is symbolic of the fact that they show the “complete” picture of the miracles of our Lord and Saviour.  Also, we will see that each miracle builds like a crescendo towards the miraculous conclusion to which every child of God’s inner man hopes for.  Indeed, the end of the story is a blessed picture of hope that gives strength and consolation in time of trouble.

1.  Turning water into wine (John 2:1-11)

In the second chapter of John, we find Jesus attending a wedding at Cana of Galilee.  There are many points to be made from this account, but the first that can be easily seen is that our Lord does condone marriage as an honourable estate by His presence here on this occasion.  Marriage was instituted by God, and He does not take kindly to the fact that many today are engaging in gross activity outside of the bounds that He has set.

Now, at this marriage, they run out of wine at the marriage feast, and Mary (the mother of Jesus) tells Him, “They have no wine.” (verse 3)  Christ’s response to her is, “Woman, what have I to do with thee?  mine hour is not yet come.” (verse 4)  This is a very interesting conversation, for Mary had suffered a great deal to be the mother of Jesus.  We find that at His presentation to Simeon at the temple in Luke 2 that Simeon even tells her of the suffering that she would endure in regards to this circumstance.  Jesus also was abused for the perceived conditions surrounding His birth.  Psalm 69:12 says that Jesus would be the song of the drunkards.  The Pharisees in John 8 could not get the upper hand in the conversation, so they resorted to saying, “We be not born of fornication.”

Therefore, we can see that our Lord and His mother endured much suffering about the circumstance of His birth.  That is why Mary is so anxious for Him to reveal publicly who He is.  She is now ready for Him to declare how that she was overshadowed by the Holy Ghost while a virgin to bring our Saviour into the world.  She is ready for Him to show forth His great and good name.  Now, had I been in the Lord’s shoes, I would have probably been ready to vindicate myself as well.  However, our Lord’s ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. (Isaiah 55:10)  So, our Lord says that His hour has not yet come.  His time scale is different from ours.  When Abraham and Sarah try to “help the Lord out” by having Ishmael through Hagar, the Lord says that he is not the one.  When man today tries to help the Lord out to get folks into heaven, our Lord plainly declares, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

So, our Lord will not be rushed in His purpose of revealing Himself, performing miracles, or doing the work of salvation.  But, Mary shows her faith in her Lord by telling the servants to do whatsoever Jesus told them to do.  That is the attitude every member of the congregation should have in regard to being a servant of the Master.  Whatsoever He commands, we should be ready and willing to perform.  This is not because He needs help, for He “needs” nothing from us.  But, He does REQUIRE things from us, and they are to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God. (Micah 6:8)  So, the servants are ready for the Saviour’s bidding, and He tells them in verses 7-8, “Fill the waterpots with water.  And they filled them up to the brim.  And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast.  And they bare it.”

Notice the work that the Lord commands His servants.  He tells them to fill, draw, and bear.  Today, the gospel minister’s duty is the same.  He needs to fill his pot with water through study, meditation, and prayer.  No minister today is commanded to go before the Lord’s people without study, for II Timothy 2:15 tells us to study.  Also, we need to seek the Lord’s direction about where to go and serve. (Psalm 119:5) Men are not called into the ministry by mom, dad, or themselves.  Likewise, the man of God is not called to go somewhere by a source any different from the One that called him in the first place.  Too many men are not God-called ministers, but just as sadly, some are not God-sent either.  The Lord must work on both ends like He did in Acts 10.  He worked on the end of the minister (Peter), and He worked on the end of the people preached to (Cornelius’s household).

However, in the midst of the filling, drawing, and bearing, the Lord has done something outside of the servant’s ability.  During this time, the water that was used has become wine.  The same is true with the gospel today.  Men can bring the water of the preached word, but only the Lord has the ability to turn it into the wine of the gospel.  For the gospel to be preached, the Spirit of the Lord must be in attendance, or it is just an oration like water.  Many might say, “Is not water profitable?”  It certainly is, but consider the difference between hearing an oration on the word of God and hearing the gospel proclaimed with power and demonstration of the Spirit.  The water does some good to the head (learning what is contained therein), but the wine is the only thing that can cheer, comfort, and nourish the soul (righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith), for wine is representative of the precious blood of Christ that was shed on Calvary’s hill for the atonement and redemption of His people. 

When the wine that is brought to the governor is tasted, the governor declares that it is the best wine at the feast. (verses 9-10) So it always is with our Lord.  He does exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think.  (Ephesians 3:20)  While we try to do things for ourselves, our efforts are always lacking in strength and ability compared to our Lord’s power and outpouring of mercy and grace.  The “gospel” that is brought before people of other orders may have some food and nourishment in it (for it is my opinion that the Lord does not leave them completely destitute).  But, that is like comparing crumbs to a feast.  The bounty of our Lord, complete with His dainties, can only be found in the true church where people are worshipping in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)

One final point about this miracle is that not many people were aware of the existence of it.  It says in verse 9 that the ruler, governor, bridegroom, and others at the feast did not know from whence the wine was.  However, the servants that drew it knew.  This public miracle was only noticed and revealed to a few.  Many times, our Lord performs miracles in our lives, and those around us are blind to the blessings of the Almighty.  Consider the gospel again.  To the world, the preaching of the gospel is foolishness, but to us who believe, it is the power of God. (I Corinthians 1:18)  If someone from the world observed one of our services, they would see a bunch of people singing without instruments (some perhaps even off-key), some old fellow getting down on his knees to pray to something that he cannot see, and finally, an unlearned man gets up and talks for a while.  To the natural man, these things are foolish to behold.  However, when the Lord blesses us to see and drink the wine of His gospel and service, it is truly the sweetest thing this side of glory that we can experience.  So, our Lord’s first public miracle is only revealed to a few disciples and servants.

2.  Healing of the nobleman’s son (John 4:46-54)

Jesus has returned to Cana of Galilee where He performed the first miracle, and now He is approached by a certain nobleman.  This nobleman has a son that is sick unto death, and he beseeches the Lord in verse 47 to come down and heal his son.  Now, the son is at Capernaum, and Jesus is at Cana.  Therefore, this nobleman walked or rode approximately 18-20 miles to come to Jesus.  This is a great act of faith to leave a loved one for that long (who is at the point of death) to come see a man that you believe can heal your child.

Consider the attitude today.  Currently, I pastor a church that is a 45 minute drive on Sunday morning to get there.  Some ministers I know travel much further than that to be with the folks the Lord has called them to serve.  Every minister that I know has traveled hundreds and thousands of miles to be at meetings to try to attend to the people of God.  Many today think it foolish to go so far when, “There are plenty of churches right here close by.”  Many will not even consider going anywhere that is not immediately at hand.  They would rather go somewhere that they might not entirely agree with (but is closer) than travel several miles to be with folks that are more attuned to their beliefs. 

This man was not willing to settle for the physicians that were at Capernaum.  He went to see the Great Physician that was currently at Cana.  Then, when the man arrives, our Lord says in verse 48, “Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe;” For quite a long time, this statement puzzled me, but it seems that the Lord is testing the man’s faith.  He tells the man that he must see signs and wonders to believe.  But, the man responds in verse 49, “Sir, come down ere my child die.”  The man’s attitude was that he needed not to see a sign before they journeyed back to Capernaum, but he believed that the Lord could do this miracle. 

When we come before the throne of grace, sometimes I wonder about myself if I am exhibiting confidence in my Lord’s ability.  We need not ever doubt His ability like the man did in Mark 9.  He brought his possessed son before Christ and made this unbelieving statement, “but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.” (Mark 9:22) Notice he doubted the Lord’s ability, and the statement, “if thou canst” should have been replaced by “if thou wilt.”  This is the attitude of the leper in Mark 1:40.  He declares, “If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.”  Our attitude should be like the leper and the nobleman that we are confident in our Lord’s ability, and we pray that we would have our will aligned with His and pray for His will to be done in us. (Matthew 6:10)

So, Christ tells him in verse 50, “Go thy way; thy son liveth.”  Again, it takes great faith on this man’s part to do the commandment of the Lord.  Had I been there, I might have pleaded with the Lord to come with me.  However, this man’s faith was similar to the centurion in Luke 7.  The centurion had a servant that was sick unto death, and he sends servants to beseech Christ to heal him.  However, when he finds out that Christ is coming to the house, he sends more servants beseeching Christ not to trouble Himself.  He knows that his Lord is able to speak the word and it be done.  He knows that the Lord did not have to be physically present to perform the miracle.  How does our Lord respond?  “I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no not in Israel.” (Luke 7:9)

So, the nobleman returns to his house in Capernaum, and his servants meet him to relay the news that the fever has left his son.  When he asks his servants when the miracle occurred, they give him the precise hour in which Jesus gave him the words that his son had been healed.  Now, our Lord is certainly not obligated to save us, but thanks be unto Him that He did!  Likewise, He is under no obligation to give us any evidence, assurance, or news about it.  However, again, thanks be unto Him that He did that as well.  Notice again, that the servants are bringing the news of the miracle of our Lord.  That is the purpose of the gospel to bring the news of the Saviour and His work.  Again, this public miracle is not known by many.  Just the disciples, servants, and the nobleman were privy to the exact nature of the miracle.  Likewise, in our lives, miracles are happening, and the masses are completely ignorant except for the few chosen and babes in Christ to whom the Father saw fit to open their eyes. (Matthew 11:25-26)

3.  Impotent man who met the Omnipotent Saviour (John 5:2-16)

The third miracle recorded by John gives account of an impotent man who lay at the pool of Bethesda by the sheep gate and market.  He had been impotent (lame on his feet) for 38 years.  The reason for him being in this place is that he, along with many other sick folk, are waiting by the pool for the troubling of the waters.  An angel went down once a year and troubled the waters so that whosoever first stepped in afterwards was made whole of whatever sickness that he had. (verses 3-4)

When Jesus arrives at the place, He asks the impotent man “Wilt thou be made whole?” (verse 6)  Jesus knew of this man’s plight, and needed not that any man tell Him.  Our Lord is the only one that can discern these things and knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts. (Hebrews 4:12)  Therefore, even if we do not know why He does, asks, or states things, He still knows for what purpose He does it, and it should be our course not to question it but seek to know it.  The impotent man responds to Jesus by saying that “I have no man.”  What a statement!  I have no man!

For 38 years, this man had been here trying to be the first one to step into the water after they were troubled, but there was always someone there ahead of him.  He had no man to take compassion on him and his crippled condition.  No one passed by and helped.  Does this not remind us of our plight?  We were lying in a field, polluted in our own blood, and dead. (Ezekiel 16)  However, the Lord did not just pass us by.  He took compassion on us and commanded us to live!  David had compassion on the seed of Jonathan, a cripple named Mephibosheth.  Certainly this is a picture of our Lord taking pity on our crippled condition.

This impotent man did not realize that he was beholding the Omnipotent God in fleshly form.  This was a man that had no power, and he could see One with his own eyes that had and still has all power. (Revelation 19:6) Now, the man was indeed correct in that he had no man for 38 years to help him.  However, Jesus was not just God.  He was then and still is now all God and all man at the same time.  One might say, “I cannot understand that.  It seems beyond my comprehension.”  To this, I declare that it is most certainly beyond your comprehension, and it is probably further beyond mine.  However, we are in good company, for the Apostle Paul wrote by Divine inspiration, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh,” (I Timothy 3:16) This is something that we do not even argue about, for we cannot understand an infinite God as finite creatures. 

So, this impotent man did have a Man on this occasion to help him.  Likewise, we, as the children of God, have a Man to help us.  We are not going to minimize His Divinity, but there is something in regards to our Saviour that was imperative for His humanity.  How did Christ redeem His people from the curse of the law?  How does Christ mediate between His people (the offenders) and God (the offended)?  These questions are best answered by different questions.  Can anything hurt or touch to harm the One True and Living God?  And, does God mediate to Himself?  Indeed, I believe that all would answer assuredly that there is not a power in heaven, earth, or under the earth that is able to reach and touch God to do harm.  He is unreachable in that sense.  Therefore, how was Jesus Christ touched to harm, suffering, and eventually death?  It HAD to be that He took upon Him human flesh that was able to suffer, bleed, and die.  Likewise, God alone does not mediate to Himself, for that is a foolish concept.  But, Paul tells Timothy in I Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” He specifically denotes that Christ does the mediatorial work (as both man and God).  We cannot divide the Godman, but we can see that it took both God and man to do the work that Christ fulfilled.  Obviously, God created the heaven and the earth and is the power of the resurrection (Living Word of God), and clearly human flesh (albeit sinless) was pierced, suffered, and eventually died (redemption through His blood).

The impotent man did have a Man on this occasion, and Jesus commands him to, “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.” (verse 8) Now, before Christ made that statement, the man had not the ability to do this.  So, by following the command, did he give himself the ability to do it?  Did his healing depend on his fulfilling the command?  Both of these questions may seem a bit foolish, but consider the foolish notions of the religious world today.  They claim that you will be saved (more specifically born again) if you hear, receive, accept, confess, believe, are baptized, or some other action to be taken.  These actions are in the same category as the command of Christ to the impotent man.  These actions do not give the ability (only Christ can give the ability), but they show forth that one has the ability.  Walking down the street does not give your legs the strength to do it, but rather, it shows the strength that your legs are already in possession of. 

Likewise, belief shows forth that one has already been passed from death unto life. (John 5:24) Baptism is the answer of a GOOD conscience. (I Peter 3:21)  One man told me that baptism gave you the ability to have a conscience for sins and transgressions.  Then, I queried, “Then how can you have a good conscience that baptism will answer?”  Baptism, belief, confession, etc. are all indications, evidences, or fruit that one is already in possession of life.  When this man took up his bed and walked, the Lord had already given him the ability, and he was displaying what the Lord had done for him.

However, we find that Christ did this miracle on the sabbath.  To the Jews, this was an unthinkable thing to do.  Many times, Christ performed great, miraculous acts on the sabbath day, and the Pharisees sought to slay Him for it instead of rejoicing in the good work of the Lord.  The Pharisees find this man carrying his bed and tell him that it is unlawful to do what he is doing.  He then tells them that the one who healed him told him to do it. (verses 10-13)

There are many today that think it unlawful to do the bidding of the Master.  If social services hears of parents spanking their children in accordance to the word of God (Proverbs 22:15), they will seek to haul the parents off to jail for child abuse.  When friends, neighbors, and relatives desire us to join and engage in actions contrary to the teachings of the Lord, they find it unimaginable that we would refrain.  Many people visit with our churches and ask, “Where are the things for the young folks?  Where are the musical instruments?  Where are the things for us to have fun?”  They find it unthinkable that all (young and old) should worship together with the instruments that our Lord has given to us (heart of flesh and voice of praise).  They find it unreasonable that the church should not have a few natural things to keep them interested.  However, these days of waxing worse and worse it is getting to be more than a few things in the so-called churches in the world.

Then, Christ meets the man again in verse 14 and tells him, “Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.”  Now, what could our Lord be referring to?  When our Lord relieves us from our sinful condition (regeneration or being made dead to the final effects of sin), He expects us not to walk according to our old ways. (Romans 6:1-6) What is different in the before and after picture is that the Lord expects things from the ones that He blesses.  If He calls us from a state of death in sins to life in Christ, He expects us to shew forth His praises.  If He blesses us to see things in His word (by His revelation), then He expects us to use them to the furtherance of our lives in glory to Him.  He tells us in Luke 12:48, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:”  If we have been raised with Him and shown these things, it is incumbent upon us to live in such a way that shows forth these things.  We do them not out of fear or obligation, but rather, it is a sweet labour of love to the One that loved us more than we could ever repay.

Then, verses 15-16 tell us that when the Pharisees knew that Jesus had done this miracle on the sabbath day, they sought to slay Him.  Now, today there are many seeking to discredit the salvation of the Lord.  Some are atheists that are trying to stamp out His very name from the earth.  Others are Armenians that are trying to stamp out the notion of salvation by grace alone.  When the Lord’s work and purpose goes against natural man’s pride and glory, he will try to do whatever it takes to remove from him the evidence against him.  If the Bible says that salvation is by grace alone, well then, we will change the Bible.  If the constitution was written by God-fearing men, then we will change the constitution and re-write history.  However, all of these efforts will be thwarted and come to nought.  For, the Lord will always have His name and word in the earth.  “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” (Mark 13:31)

This miracle is observed by more than just a few, but many refuse to accept the nature of it.  The Pharisees would not admit that this miracle was of the Lord, for it was in violation of the sabbath (or so they thought).  Likewise, in our lives, when people see the miracles that take place, sometimes they do not react with heart-felt gratitude, tears, and joy.  Sometimes, the miracles of the Lord anger and enrage people to the point of seeking to discount them.  When I first rejoiced to see the truth, I thought, “I have to go out and tell everybody.  This is the best thing I have ever heard, and all my friends are going to feel great.”  Many others that I have talked to tried the same thing, and we all got very similar results.  They did not desire to hear or receive these things.  Granted, they were and still are good people, but they cared nothing for the wonderful news and glad tidings from a far country. 

4.  Feeding of the five thousand (John 6:1-14)

As was mentioned at the outset of this article, there are different things mentioned in the different gospel accounts.  However, of all the miracles that Christ performed, this is the ONLY one that is found in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  Therefore, it would behoove us to learn all that we can about this miracle.  This miracle marks a change from the previous public miracles.  This could be called the “coming out” miracle in which a great multitude beheld the goodness of the Lord.  In Matthew 14, we find that the number that observed this was actually far more than 5,000.  In Matthew 14, it says that there were 5,000 men besides women and children.  If we are conservative, we can assume that roughly half the men were married, and their wives accompanied them.  If these married couples had (conservatively) 2 children apiece present, we have gone from 5,000 being fed to around 12,500 people being fed on this occasion.

In John 6 we find that Christ asks His disciples in verse 5, “Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?”  But, we also find that He asked this question to prove them, for He had already decided and purposed what He would do.  Likewise, when our Lord asks us questions, it is not for Him to gain information and understanding, but many times, He is proving our faith and understanding (again not for His knowledge, but for ours).  Our Lord knew that there would be a lad there with 5 loaves and 2 fishes, and He also knew that He would feed those there with that miniscule amount.  Many times, the gospel minister may come to the Lord’s house with what He feels like is just a small amount, but the Lord does mighty and wonderful things with that food.

Notice also that the only thing that is said about this lad is what he brought.  We know nothing about his name, age, etc. for that is not important for this account.  Likewise, the actual name of the gospel minister and who it is that brought the food is not important.  Whether it is Paul that planted or Apollos that watered, it matters not, for God is the ONLY one that can give the increase. (I Corinthians 3:6) This lad is not to be praised for bringing 5 loaves and 2 fishes, and gospel ministers are not to be praised for their study and efforts (only encouraged).  The Lord only is to be praised, and Paul said at the close of Ephesians 3 that the glory in the church is focused solely on her Founder.  God forbid that we glory in anything other than our Lord.  We boast of Him all the day long, and He is the joy of our song. (Psalm 44:8)

In verse 11, we are given another example by our Lord.  When He took of the loaves, He brake them and gave thanks for them.  Our Lord, while on this earth, gave thanks for the food that He ate and distributed.  Therefore, when one asks why we pray before a meal, let us not wonder where the practice comes from.  Our Lord (the One who created everything) got down and prayed on a regular basis to the Father.  Our Lord, who had need of nothing, prayed about every course and thing that He did.  Therefore, if the mind of Christ is supposed to be in us (Philippians 2:5), let us always “pray without ceasing.” (I Thessalonians 5:17)

Also in this verse we find something else to draw our attention.  He gave the loaves (after giving thanks) to distribute to the multitude.  Now, did our Lord need them to do this (I speak this foolishly)?  As previously mentioned, our Lord NEEDS nothing, and had He so desired, He could have commanded the food to be immediately at each one.  Also, He needed not 5 loaves and 2 fishes, but had He chosen to, He could have spoken the food into existence out of something else there or nothing at all.  He is God, and there is nothing that is too hard for Him.  However, He chose to send His 12 disciples to do the distributing.  This is a very important concept that will be discussed in more detail during miracle number 7.

When it comes to the Lord’s food, we also learn that it is all sufficient and never-ending.  After the multitude had finished eating in verse 12, Jesus says, “Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.”  Directly before, we learn that the people of the multitude were filled (nothing lacking).  Now, Christ says to gather up what remains.  How astounding!  A multitude of perhaps over 12,000 people eat from nothing but 5 loaves and 2 fishes and are filled!  That is remarkable enough, but Christ says to gather what is left.  When the disciples are done gathering in verse 13, they have 12 baskets full of fragments.

Sometimes when the Lord blesses His ministers to preach in power and demonstration of the Spirit, the minister leaves the pulpit thinking, “I sure didn’t think there was that much there, and I still have more that I could say about that.”  Sometimes in my experience, I study a certain subject and think, “I wonder if it will even take 20 minutes in the pulpit to exhaust my knowledge of this study.”  After about 50-55 minutes, I think, “I better shut this down, or I’ll never quit.”  Only the power of God can cause something to increase the more it is divided.  When we rightly divide the word of truth, there sometimes seems to be no end to what a certain verse talks about.  If I ever divide something, I end up with less than I started with, but the Lord can divide and get the same effect as multiplication.

This miracle marks the first time that a host of people were present when Christ performed the miracle.  They did not have to hear about it 2^nd or 3^rd hand.  They beheld the wonder of the Lord with their own eyes.  Sometimes in our lives the Lord will do things that many see.  Some of them present are even willing to rejoice for a time in the goodness and mercy of the Lord (much like the stony or thorny ground).  But, by the end in verse 66 of the sixth chapter, many of these people are walking no more with Him.  Many times I talk to people that seem to really receive the message of grace when in conversation, but then just moments later, they begin to reject the notion that they had nothing to do with their eternal redemption.  But, there are still times of revival where multitudes are fed from the Lord’s bountiful storehouse. (Psalm 85:6)

5.  Walking on Water (John 6:15-25)

Directly after feeding the multitude, Christ departs from them before they can make Him a king by force.  As He goes into a mountain to pray, His disciples get in a ship and head over the sea towards Capernaum.  (verses 15-17)  Now, after the disciples leave the presence of Christ and depart into the sea without Him, they find themselves in the midst of a great storm that they are unable to do anything about.  In Matthew 14, it declares that Christ constrained His disciples to go in the ship before Him.  Then, they found themselves in distress, and they were unable to locate Him.

Recall the account in Luke 2 when Jesus (at age 12) comes with His family to Jerusalem.  When His family left Jerusalem, they went a day’s journey before they noticed that He was not there.  Then, it took them 3 days to find Him again.  In our lives, finding Him after losing Him is always more difficult than if we had never left.  While we never lose Him eternally (He cannot deny Himself), we can find ourselves in the midst of the storm and unable to see Him or feel His presence.  However, in Mark 6 we read that He “saw them toiling in rowing.” (Mark 6:48) The point of the lesson is that Christ constrained them to go (while knowing what they would face) as a trail of faith.  In our lives, we may be constrained to go or do something and think that the Lord has forsaken us in our trial, but He always sees us and is not far from every one of us.

Here the disciples left the presence of Christ, and they are almost immediately in the midst of something that they cannot handle.  Then, they see Jesus coming to them walking on the water, and His presence frightened the disciples. (verse 19) In Mark 6, this account says that the disciples thought He was a spirit.  There are times when we remove ourselves far enough from Christ that we do not even recognize Him when He appears.  We are troubled at His presence, but we know Him not.  Consider their perspective for a moment.

They had just witnessed the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000, and then someone comes to them walking on water.  Who else would it be?  But, before we get down on the disciples too harshly, how many times in my life have I witnessed the miraculous work of the Lord, and then almost immediately, I act like I have never beheld His beauty and grace?  People might look at me directly after and wonder whether I love my Lord or not.  Perhaps He even appears doing another miracle, and I do not recognize Him.  But, they do not stay in ignorance, for our Lord speaks to them in that still, small voice that dispels their fears, “It is I; be not afraid.” (verse 20)

His voice can do what no gospel minister’s voice can.  His voice can take all the waves and toils of life and make them seem as nothing.  His voice speaks with such grace and charity that those that heard Him in Luke 4 wondered at the gracious words that proceeded out of His mouth.  However, the waves and winds do not cease until the Lord steps into the ship.  We see in verse 21 that when Christ comes into the ship they are also at their destination on the other shore.  Many times, we see Christ, but are still distracted by the toils of life.  Sometimes we even see Him, hear Him speak, and are walking on water ourselves with Him, but still we look at the things of life and must cry out, “Lord save me, I perish.”  But, something blessed happens when we bid Him come into our ship.

By bidding Him to come into our ship, we are showing forth that we are already His.  He never once has or will seek to enter the ship of someone that is a goat.  So, right now, sonship is not under consideration, but rather our Christian walk and discipleship is in question.  He tells the churches in Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”  This verse of fellowship with God is much different than regeneration.  Ezekiel  35:25-27 tells us that in regeneration He rips out the old heart and puts in a new one (stone to flesh).  There is no knocking in regeneration, but in discipleship, not all children of God have common or similar interactions with their Redeemer.  There are many in complete gospel ignorance of their atonement.

But, when we see Him, hear His voice, and see His works, it is our duty to willingly bid Him board our ship to take care of us.  I am reminded of the popular bumper stickers that read, “God is my co-pilot.”  I suppose that this is partly correct.  However, God is more than our co-pilot.  He is our pilot, co-pilot, navigator, plane or conveyance, and everything in between.  He is our way, truth, and life. (John 14:6)  Without Him we can do nothing, but with Him, we can do all things.  So, the disciples bid Him come into the ship, and IMMEDIATELY the waves cease and they arrive at their destination.  Now, when we seek to do things outside the bounds set by our Heavenly Father, the waves continue to roll, but when we get to the point when all we can do is smite upon our breast and say, “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner.”  Or, “Lord, help.”  He hears from heaven and grants our petition.

One might say, this miracle was not observed by multitudes, so how is this building in public knowledge of His miracles?  Let us consider verses 22-25.  The multitude that partook of the loaves and fishes observed that the disciples left in a boat alone, and Jesus did not get into a boat.  Then, when they took shipping to the other shore in Capernaum, they found Jesus and the disciples.  They even ask Christ, “Rabbi, when camest thou hither?”  They knew that something else miraculous had happened, even though they did not observe the actual walking on water.  So, again, a multitude had knowledge of the wonderful works of the Lord.

6.  Restoring of sight to the blind man (John 9)

At the beginning of John 9, Jesus observes a man that was born blind.  Now, we will find later that even the prophets of old never restored sight to one born blind, and it was unheard of since the world began.  This is extremely important, for the Lord blesses His prophets and apostles to restore sight to one that has lost it, but only He can give sight where none was before.  Also, only He can bring life to the lifeless. 

The disciples query something in verse 2 about which sinned (the man or his parents) for him to be born blind.  Jesus tells them that this is not a result of their sins, but that this is something that the Lord will use for His glory.  He will do something so miraculous that the Pharisees and all the religious rulers cannot explain away from the books of the law (even though they will try).  Then, Christ gives the blind man some instruction.  He makes clay from spittle and anoints the eyes of the blind man, and He tells him to wash the clay away in the pool of Siloam. (verses 6-7)

Oh, what a picture this is of baptism!  The impotent man was commanded to walk after the Lord gave Him the ability.  This man was given sight after the Lord did His work.  Again, the washing in the pool did not give the sight, but it revealed to Him that He could see.  What does the clay represent?  Clay comes from dust (from whence we came), and it currently is over his eyes.  However, when he washes, he sees.  Likewise, baptism will not cause someone to be a child of God, but it will wash their shortcomings from their eyes.  Cleansing (in this case healing) has already occurred, but this is when we feel the benefit of it.  Many have told me, “I can get just as much out of church without being baptized.”  If this be the case, then I am deceived every time that we have communion.  It is a sweet time of rejoicing that cannot be had looking in.  Only the partaking of it (amongst the other blessings in Zion) can truly make a person thankful to be a servant of Christ.  When he comes forth, he sees and there is quite a stir made about this miracle.

From verses 9-34, we read of the effect that this miracle had.  Everyone that knew him before is amazed at the grace and mercy of God to cause such a miracle.  Many even say in bewilderment, “Is this he?”  Finally, word of this reaches the Pharisees who immediately try to discount this event since Jesus again performed a miracle on the sabbath day.  Again, they are more concerned about the sabbath than the mighty power of God.  Christ even asks them on one occasion (when healing a woman from her bowed condition), “Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?  And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?” (Luke 13:15-16)

So, these Pharisees begin to question the man about what happened when Christ performed this miracle.  They even call the parents to hear what they have to say.  Then, they ask the man again what happened.  I used to wonder why they kept repeating themselves, but then I realized that they were trying to catch somebody telling the story differently from one account to the next.  They were not really seeking the truth, but they were looking for a reason not to believe something that they did not desire or want.  They did not want to believe on Christ (some could not for they were not of His sheep – John 10), and others feared that their seat in the synagogue would be removed from them.  So, they are looking for errors in the story but are unable to find even one.  Then, the former blind man begins to boldly proclaim that they are being stubborn and unreasonable.

In verses 30-33, the man responds to their claim that they are Moses’ disciples.  He gives as good a reason to believe in Christ as any, “Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.  Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.  Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.  If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.”

This man knew that he was blind before, and now he saw.  That is reason enough to believe on His Lord, but here are people that are more proud to be of Moses than the Lord.  Likewise, there are many people today that are more proud of the office that they hold than the one that blessed them with that office.  Many of the rulers of the people were in seats of authority that the Lord established in the law and prophets (like the priesthood).  But, the error comes not in the office they held, but in their attitude of the office.  They thought the alter was more important than the One being offered to.  The letter of the law was more important than the spirit of the law.  Their place more important than the One they are representing. 

Then, the Pharisees make a true statement with an improper application in verse 34, “They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us?”  The statement that the former blind man was born in sins is a true statement.  However, the application or implication is that they were not.  This is not correct.  We live in a world today where people think that one cannot judge who has ever transgressed.  They like to quote Matthew 7:1 without reading the rest of the passage.  The importance is not on the judging but the measure by which one is judged.  A judge in a court of law that pronounces edicts and judgments is not doing so based on the record of his own life.  He is doing so based on the standard of the law.  Likewise, the gospel minister does not give admonition, exhortation, and correction based on the righteousness of his own life, but by the standard of the written word of God.  However, that same standard applies to the gospel minister just as it does to the smallest child.

So the judgment of the Pharisees was incorrect instead of their statement.  To say, “Judge not, that ye be not judged,” is a correct statement.  However, to apply that to declare against judgment whatsoever is an incorrect application.  We are not to play games of comparison with each other.  Many times growing up I would tell my parents, “Well, I’m not doing so badly.  Johnny misbehaves much more than I do.”  This reasoning was to try to get out of a spanking.  However, Mom and Dad said, “I am not responsible for Johnny.  And, you should not be trying to measure up to Johnny anyway.”  What does our Lord say?  “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

Then, Jesus finds the man again in verse 35 after the Pharisees cast him out.  He asks the man if he believes on the Son of God.  The next statement could generate confusion if not rightly divided, for the man says in verse 36, “Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?”  He calls Jesus Lord, but He does not know that He is the Son of God.  Let us consider the experience of Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus.  He cries out to Jesus, “Who art thou, Lord?” (Acts 9:5)  Saul knew that it was the Lord that spoke to him, but he knew nothing about his Lord.  This blind man was the same way.  He called Jesus Lord, but knew little about Him.  He knew that He could open the eyes of the blind, and Saul knew that He could turn the determination of his wicked heart.  However, they are both in some ignorance about the exact nature of Jesus Christ.  That nature to be taught is that He is the second Person in the Godhead.  He is equal with the Father and Holy Ghost in all things.  These are things that are not intrinsic to man’s understanding, even immediately after regeneration.  They must be taught on a continual basis “precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line, here a little, and there a little;” (Isaiah 28:13)

The Lord then declares in verse 37 that He is the Son of God.  Yet again, the Lord declared plainly who He is even though they constantly questioned it.  Today, man is still questioning the eternal Sonship of Jesus Christ.  They claim, “Oh, he was just a man.”  Or, they say, “He was a good man and teacher, with some wise instruction.”  These statements will not hold up to close examination.  If He was just a “good” man or teacher, how “good” was He?  He could not have been too good, for He would have been guilty of dozens of lies.  He declared on a constant basis that He was and is the eternal Son of God.  Back in John 8:58, He used that precious name of God in regards to Himself when He said, “Before Abraham was, I am.”  Jesus is verily God and verily man all together all at once.  From the moment of the conception of His humanity, He is forever God and Man throughout all eternity.

This man does not confer with any of his friends about his new-found understanding, but he immediately begins to worship Jesus.  When we see Jesus, the Root and Offspring of David, our mode should be that of immediate worship, for He has done so much for us.  What excuse could possibly be worthy to reach His ears?  This miracle builds the crescendo even more about the man Christ Jesus that is the Son of God manifest in the flesh.  His works are reaching the ears of more and more people, and each miracle builds in manifest power (in our eyes) to more and more amazement.  However, the Pharisees always had an answer to explain away His miracles, that is, until miracle number seven.

7.  Raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-46)

There was a family of siblings named Lazarus, Martha, and Mary that were beloved to our Lord.  He had close fellowship with them on several occasions.  At the beginning of John 11, the sisters send word to Christ that Lazarus was sick.  However, our Lord intentionally waits before coming to Bethany (where the family lived).  This intention to wait was not out of cruelty, but rather, He was going to perform a miracle that natural man could not reason away no matter how much time given.

In verse 11, Jesus tells His disciples that, “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.”  Now, this gives folks great confusion from time to time, but our Lord here is NOT advocating soul-sleeping.  This is plain in verse 14, “Then said, Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.”  The disciples had thought the Lord was talking of rest or sleep.  They seemed to think that Lazarus was just waiting for a little nudge into motion.  But, Jesus clears up the confusion for us.  So, one might ask, “How can one sleep and die at the same time?”  The answer depends on the perspective.

Our Lord sees our flesh as but asleep or resting.  To man’s perspective, the flesh is dead upon someone’s passing.  There is not a part of man save the body that goes into the grave.  The soul and spirit (other two parts of man) go back to God immediately at the point of death. (Ecclesiastes 12:7, Genesis 35:18, Hebrews 4:12) Therefore, the remains of our loved ones at funeral services are dead to us, but they are asleep to our Lord.  The reason that they are asleep to Him is that He already sees us glorified in His Son’s image. (Romans 8:28-32) Now that we have cleared up Lazarus’s condition, let us proceed to his restoration to life.

When Jesus arrives at Bethany, Martha meets Him and declares, “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.”  That is, I believe, a true statement.  Death cannot stand in the presence of Life Itself.  However, Martha is mis-guided about the nature of the resurrection when Christ tells her, “Thy brother shall rise again.”  She responds in verse 24, “I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”  What is the harm in this statement?  I even heard a man say one time, “There is nothing wrong with Martha’s statement.”  However, our Lord does some correcting before He does the raising.

He declares, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”  The resurrection is not a day, but rather the resurrection is our Lord Himself!  Many times, we refer to the “resurrection morning.”  But, let us always remember that the resurrection is going to happen in a moment, and the substance of the resurrection is our Lord.  The word resurrection means, “to rise again, have life again, or stand again.”  Our Lord is the only One in whom we can have that hope and faith to stand, rise, and live again.

Then, Christ asks Mary and Martha where they have laid Lazarus.  When they bring Him to the tomb, we read in John 11:35, “Jesus wept.”  Many teach their children to memorize that verse since it is the shortest in the Bible, but I wonder if many or any teach them of the profound concept within it.  While I would not withdraw fellowship from one that taught that the meaning of this verse was that Jesus wept for the sorrow of the grieving family, I believe a more sublime concept is at work within the fabric and framework of this verse.  Consider that Lazarus’s body has been in the grave for four days (as shown in verse 39).  Where was his soul and spirit for four days?  Paul says, “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight)  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (II Corinthians 5:6-8)

Therefore, if Lazarus was absent from the body for 4 days, that means that he was present with the Lord for that same amount of time.  For four of our earth days, Lazarus was experiencing , the 3^rd heaven, Abraham’s bosom, and enjoying eternity’s bliss and charity.  That is a place that the inner man of all regenerate children of God desires to be.  Now, we can see why the Lord is weeping.  He is weeping, for He is about to bring one back down from to this low ground of sin and sorrow.  He is going to experience the heartaches of this life once more.  He is going to suffer under the weight of the bondage of the body of this death.  He is again going to have to struggle between the warfare of the natural and spiritual natures in him until he breathes out his last breath (again) in death.  Truly, this is something more worthy of weeping over than the other (in my humble opinion).

After Jesus has finished weeping, He tells those present to roll away the stone.  Then in verses 41-42, He says, “Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.  And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.”  Here, Jesus gives the best reason for why He spoke things audibly while walking the earth.  He did it for our benefit, so that we would know how to conduct ourselves and behave.  He asked and beseeched His Father in all things.  Likewise, so should we.  He needed not to speak anything audibly on this occasion, for one of His thoughts could bring any of His purposes to pass.  However, He chose to speak for theirs and our benefit.

Then, He raises Lazarus from the grave in verse 43 by saying, “Lazarus, come forth.”  This simple statement gives us a very clear picture of the moment of regeneration and later, the resurrection.  The first thing that Christ said is “Lazarus.”  This call is a personal call by our Lord.  He does not choose a handful here and there nonchalantly and without conscious decision.  He chooses and calls those that He knows personally and with much love (through foreknowledge).  People talk about a personal Saviour, but I do not know how a Saviour could be anything other than personal.  He knows each of us by name, and our names are written in His book. (Revelation 20:12) We are also told that “I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” (Isaiah 49:16) Therefore, our Lord knows us personally, and if we know Him or love Him, He has always been there first. (I John 4:19)

The next word in the statement is “come.”  This word, on many occasions, is a command for movement where none is presently.  This statement is not one that is made to a moving man but rather a sedentary man.  In this case, it was a dead man that is being brought to life again.  This word does not mean “believe” here.  Why oh why would Christ tell a dead man to believe on Him?  Instead, He tells us what is meant by the word “come” in John 6:37 and John 6:44, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”  “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

This shows that this type of coming to the Lord is dependant upon His power solely and none whatsoever upon ours.  Lazarus was dead, and the Lord told Him to come.  Therefore, Lazarus was not in a state of belief or confession.  He was in a state where only the Lord could call him.  Likewise, regeneration and the resurrection are the same.  The voice of the Lord and His call are the only things that can accomplish the job.  Now, Lazarus was raised from a state of the death of the body to die a natural death again, but it is a clear picture of the eventual resurrection at the end of time when death will be completely removed from every part of our being.

Consider the account in John 5:25 and 28-29, “Verily, verily I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.”  “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”  Here are two effectual callings that our Lord purposes.  One is regeneration (happening now), and the other is the resurrection (yet to come).  The same voice and power that does one is the same as the other.  So, if anyone believes that they are responsible for their new birth or regeneration, then they must also be in charge of their resurrection.  To quicken the soul and spirit (regeneration) means that you must also quicken your body (resurrection).  However, no one can claim such, and therefore all is done by the work of the Lord.

Notice also that this calling is effectual, or it produces the desired result or effect.  No one can tell the Lord, “I don’t feel like it right now.  Come back some other time.”  Lazarus did not do anything other than come at the Lord’s command.  One might even wonder how he came being bound hand and foot with graveclothes.  It would seem that he could not, but he came anyway.  It is my belief that the Lord caused him to fly out of the tomb, since he could not walk for the bindings upon him.  But, no one ever refuses this calling whatever their current circumstance, for they would have to be stronger than the Lord, which is impossible.

The last word of the phrase is “forth.”  The Lord did not call us to some unspecified location.  The word forth denotes a direction involved.  We were not called to possibly fall again.  Rather, Lazarus was called to the direct place where the Lord was by His design.  We are told that our calling is into His marvellous light. (I Peter 2:9) Paul also declares that our sins are not imputed to us again. (II Corinthians 5:19) Therefore, we can see that the Lord called us to a state of life in Christ never to be dead in sins again.  To say that we were given eternal life, and then we fell from it means it was not eternal to begin with.

David proclaimed in the 40^th Psalm that not only were we pulled from the horrible pit and miry clay, but we were also set upon a rock (Christ).  Finally, our goings were established.  So, what is meant by establishing our goings?  One cannot take from that that we are made to never sin again.  Rather the way that is established is mentioned at the close of Hebrews 6.  The way is heaven itself that Christ prepared and entered before us.  Our destination is forever secure.  While our steps get mighty wayward from time to time, we are never in danger of losing our home in heaven, for that would make the death of Christ vain, which is another impossible, foolish notion.

After Christ raises Lazarus from the grave, He tells the ones there to, “Loose him, and let him go.”  While the first statement is a clear picture of regeneration and the resurrection, this statement is a clear picture of the utility of the gospel.  We have mentioned previously that the Lord often used those at hand to do things while He performed miracles.  Did He have to?  Certainly not!  Our Lord could have carried out every action Himself without the use of another.  But, He chose to use His servants to carry out specific tasks.

So, if the Lord alone controls regeneration, what might the purpose of the gospel be?  Let us answer that question by posing another.  Could the Lord have granted complete, total knowledge of Himself and His word immediately following regeneration?  Certainly that is within His power, but it does not fall within the realm of His will.  Many times, we live in a constant state like Missouri.  We desire everyone to “show me,” and if you do not, that means that you cannot.  However, our Lord does not do a lot of things that He is capable of.  He has the ability to give complete knowledge to an individual, but He chooses to save some by the foolishness of preaching.  This is not part of redemption, atonement, calling, etc.  However, it is part of conversion, understanding, and Christian behaviour.

Lazarus is bound hand and foot with graveclothes.  This is indicative of our state directly following regeneration.  We have heard the Lord’s voice (in the new man), but we cannot see Him, nor do we know much about Him.  However, when we sit under the sound of the gospel minister with the attendance of the Holy Spirit, it gives us some release of the graveclothes (body of this death).  We begin to learn about the sinless One who died for us.  We begin to learn the specifics of the two natures within us that are constantly at warfare.  Then, blessed things begin to happen.

The graveclothes start to loosen.  No longer do we feel like the Apostle Paul in Romans 7 all the time.  We start to feel the faith within us reverberating with hope of a better day to come.  Sometimes, the gospel is preached in such power like the napkin around our face being lifted to see our blessed Saviour!  The curtain is pulled back just a little to glimpse the smallest portion of His glory and presence!  We have heard His voice, but we are then made to see Him just a little bit clearer.  We learn about Him in the beautiful pictures painted throughout the Old Testament.  We learn that the weight we are carrying, He has already loosed from us.  Then, we desire to take up His yoke and follow Him out of joy and love.

Is this a miracle?  Our Lord declares as much in Matthew 11:5.  Our Lord puts the preaching of the gospel on the same plane as the dead being raised, the lepers cleansed, and the blind receiving their sight.  However, who gets the glory?  Lazarus certainly was not going to praise those that loosed his graveclothes.  His praise and glory went to the One that gave him life.  His honour and adulation went to the One that gave the direction to do the loosing.  We indeed need to be thankful for the servants of the most High God, but our thanks should never cross into praise.  The message of the Lord is far more blessed than the one delivering it.  If it pleased the Lord, He could direct an ass to speak to us, as He did on one occasion. (Numbers 22:28-31)

So, we see the picture of the new birth and the gospel.  As a result of this 7^th miracle, many believe on the Lord. (verse 45) This miracle builds the crescendo to what would seem like the highest point.  Here was a man that had been in the grave for four days, and this was very important.  To the Jews, a man could be raised to life again up to three days after death, as they believed that is when the silver cord was broken that prevented resuscitation from happening.  Therefore, the other two raisings that Christ performed (Jairus’s daughter and the lad in the coffin) could be explained away by the Pharisees by declaring that their silver cord had not yet been broken.  Therefore, it was no great thing for them to be raised again (in the Pharisees’ minds).

However, the Lord purposely waited until Lazarus’s body had been there for four days, and they were without natural explanation on this occasion.  When believers gave their account, the Pharisees at the end of John 11 were very worried about the growing nature of this miracle.  In John 12, we find that while seeking the destruction of Christ, they also purposed to put Lazarus to death as well to remove the evidence for the belief that his resurrection had caused.  Today, man is trying to remove all the evidence that he can find about the goodness of the Lord to try to overturn and blind the faith of some.  If he can cast a shred of doubt, he will stop at nothing to keep those from setting their affection upon Christ.

However, even though this miracle represents completion in the miracles that Christ performed, this miracle (along with the rest) point to that ultimate miracle that occurred later in John.  Together, these miracles show forth the work that Christ did during His ministry, but the 8^th miracle outshines every miracle before or since.

8.  Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour (John 20-22)

Seven is the number representing completion in the Bible, but eight represents the number of perfection in the Bible.  This final miracle is perfect in every sense.  This miracle does what the rest do not.  In every case before, the miracle performed did not grant perfection.  Even Lazarus was raised to life to die a natural death once again.  However, this miracle is the only thing that can give us any hope and consolation in the troubled world in which we dwell.

Our Lord declared many times while walking this earth that He would be put to death, but that He would be raised to life again.  He even told His disciples in Matthew 12 that He would be in the grave for three days and three nights.  Now, if someone can get three days and three nights from Good Friday to Easter Sunday, then I need another math lesson.  He was there exactly three days and three nights, which means that He was crucified on a Wednesday, and He arose BEFORE the sun came up on Sunday.  I will also note that Christ’s body was the ONLY part of Him that was in the grave.  Had the Godman been wholly dead during that time, rest assured that all the forces of darkness would have wreaked havoc in every place possible, and the universe itself would be rent by its very fibers.

In secular life, I am an electrical engineer.  Electric power cannot reach its destination if the source of the power is dead.  Likewise, if the source of life is dead, then there can be no life at all anywhere.  However, Christ commended His Spirit to the Father before bowing His head and giving up the ghost.  Therefore, His Spirit went to God immediately, and His body alone went into the heart of the earth.  However, it was necessary for His body to come out of the earth to give PROOF of our being passed from death unto life.

The atonement and redemption was paid COMPLETELY and SOLELY when Christ was on the cross.  So, what is the purpose of the resurrection?  The resurrection is where we find our justification (declaration of righteousness).  Romans 4:24-25, “But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”  While atonement happened on the cross, the proof is in the resurrection.

No other man before Christ was ever raised from the dead to die no more.  They ALL experienced a natural death again.  However, Christ is the firstfruits of them that slept, and He is the first resurrection.  Therefore, all that He died for were raised with Him when He came out. (Colossians 3:1) We are told in Ephesians 4:8, “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.”  He led His captives with Him.  Whereas before we were the captives of sin, now we are the captives of love to our Lord.  He alone keeps us, and our hope is in Him and the power of His resurrection.

When Christ came out of the grave, He did not go back to glory secretly.  He showed Himself for 40 days after being raised, and He went back to glory in the presence of many witnesses.  Therefore, we can boldly say that we have hope in Christ and the power of His resurrection.  Without it, we are of all men most miserable. (I Corinthians 15:19)  Without His raising, we cannot one day hope to be there in body, soul, and spirit.  Without this miracle, we cannot hope to “be fashioned like unto his glorious body.” (Philippians 3:21)

However, He did come out beloved.  He did go back to glory, and we are told that He is coming in the same manner in which He left.  He is coming back with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God. (I Thessalonians 4:16) We are told that He is coming with clouds and ten thousands of saints. (Revelation 1:7, Jude 14) What a glorious sight to behold!  We shall then say as David did, “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” (Psalm 17:15)

It is my hope and sincere desire that this has been of some benefit and edification to those who may read it.  It is my greatest desire that the Lord’s name has been glorified by it, for it is for nought if that be not the case.  These miracles show forth the beauty, wonder, and power that our Lord has.  They show us both completeness and perfection wrought in the things that He has done in our lives, and may we ever be found seeking His face, serving in the vineyard of the Lord, and helping our brethren in all things.  As Paul closed I Thessalonians 4, “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

Philip N. Conley

Written: February 4, 2006

Revised: February 6, 2006

Revised: February 9, 2006

Revised: February 16, 2006