“…how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?” (Hebrews 2:3-4).
Like a number of other Bible words, the word “miracle” is widely misused and abused. For example, while there are many wonderful, breathtaking things associated with the conception and birth of a child, the fertilization of a woman’s egg by a man’s sperm is not a miracle—it is the natural law of procreation. It is precisely the way every person living on planet Earth today came into existence. The conception of Jesus in the womb of a virgin named Mary, however, was a miracle.
By definition, a miracle is God’s suspension of natural law for a specific reason. Every miracle recorded in Scripture has had a divine purpose and message. Because of this, these supernatural acts are also called “signs”. They were not done frivolously or for entertainment purposes. Like a billboard or road sign, they were performed to communicate a clear message.
Because of the innate “unordinariness” of a miracle, the most frequent response of its eyewitnesses was amazement. Jaws dropped. Eyes bulged. Speechlessness occurred. And, hopefully, God was glorified with greater reverence and awe.
The fact that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Son of God was divinely attested by miracles, wonders, and signs while He lived (Acts 2:22). A sufficient number have been recorded to prove this bedrock truth of Christianity to every honest and good heart (John 20:30-31).
Accepting the great salvation the Son of God offers and then not neglecting it is the epic challenge of His gospel.
