“Jesus then cometh and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise (John 21:13). Miracles go hand-in-hand with faith in God and must be an expression of truth.
When Christ performs miracles, it is for much more than to “prove his claim.” He is concerned with human needs as well as eternal needs. His works are a revelation of himself — and yes, they are also a sign that Jesus came from God.
When Jesus finished what we call the Sermon on the Mount, he went to Capernaum where he was sought out by a centurion who had a dying servant. A centurion was a Roman army officer over some 100 men. Since Palestine was under occupation by the Romans, it was not unusual to be in the company of the soldiers, who were often disliked by the Jews.
This centurion, however, was different. Undoubtedly he had been influenced by the Jews’ religion and had gone so far as to build them a synagogue. At any rate, Jesus recognized his faith and pointed it out as an example of what faith really is.
Although the man was noted for his good works and high character, however, these attributes did not earn him Christ’s compassion or attention — it was his faith.
Jesus looked beyond the centurion’s goodness and saw what was in his heart. He did not have to be close to the servant — distance made no difference.
Don’t you just love this? “Jesus then cometh ...” Luke 7:6 says. Before, the servant was sick, ready to die — “Jesus then cometh ...”
Look at some other instances: In a dangerous situation — “Then he ... rebuked the winds ...” (Matthew 8:26); they were blind — “Then touched he their eyes (Matthew 12:13); the rich young ruler — “Then Jesus beholding him loved ... (Mark 10:21); to John’s disciples — “Then Jesus turned, and saw them (John 1:38); to frightened disciples — “Then said Jesus to them again, peace ... (John 20:21).
Perhaps one of the greatest examples of our Lord’s compassion and mercy is the time he stopped a funeral procession and raised from the dead a mother’s only son.
After he performed the healing miracle in Capernaum, he went to the city of Nain. The mother, a widow, was probably walking behind the funeral bier which was holding her dead son. He was all she had. Even the townspeople were mourning with her as everything stopped for the traditional death march.
There was no thought in their minds that this would be any different from other funeral processions that had passed the streets of Nain. This boy would be buried; his mother and friends would grieve, and somehow, life would go on without him. They were not expecting any interruptions.
“Jesus then cometh ...” When the Lord saw the grieving mother, he had compassion on her. “Weep not,” he told her. Then he touched the bier and those who carried it stopped. Death was stopped in its tracks. Jesus said, “Young man, I say unto thee, arise.”
His Word performed the miracle. Just as he said to the brother of Mary and Martha, “Lazarus, come forth,” he spoke to the boy.
The people stood back in awe. They recognized that God was there and they glorified Christ.
When the Son of God steps into the picture — everything falls into place.
His name is wonderful. He is the mighty God — Jesus, my Lord. “Jesus then cometh ...” — look for a miracle.
