The purpose of miracles
Why did Jesus perform miracles? A number of reasons may be suggested:-
- To authenticate the message of the gospel. This was acknowledged by Nicodemus (Jn 3:2) and affirmed in Heb 2:4. Miracles ‘give evidence that God is truly at work and so serve to advance the gospel’. This was true not only in Jesus’ ministry, but also applied in the early church (Acts 8:6–8; 9:35, 42).
- To bear witness to the fact that God’s kingdom has come (Mt 10:7f; 12:28; Lk 4:18; 9:1f).
- To help those who are in need. We read on Jesus’ ‘pity’ or ‘compassion’ in Mt 14:14; 20:30,34.
- To remove hindrances to ministry. Once healed, Peter’s mother-in-law (Mt 8:15) and Epaphroditus (Phil 2:27, although this may not have been a miraculous recovery) were able to minister once more. Paul expected people to be edified when miraculous gifts were exercised in the church (1 Cor 12:7; 14:4, 12, 26).
- To bring glory to God. See Mt 9:8; Jn 9:3. Of course, all the other reasons contribute to this as well.
Based on Grudem, Systematic Theology, p360f.