Topical Bible: Miracles: The Messiah Was Expected to Perform

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The expectation that the Messiah would perform miracles is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and Scripture. Throughout the Old Testament, prophetic writings and narratives set the stage for a Messiah who would demonstrate divine authority through miraculous acts. These expectations were fulfilled in the New Testament accounts of Jesus Christ, who performed numerous miracles, affirming His identity as the promised Messiah.

Old Testament Foundations

The anticipation of a miracle-working Messiah is woven into the fabric of Old Testament prophecy. Isaiah 35:5-6 speaks of a time when "the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the mute tongue will shout for joy." This passage highlights the transformative power expected of the Messiah, who would bring physical and spiritual restoration.

Similarly, Isaiah 61:1-2 proclaims, "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release from darkness to the prisoners." This prophecy, which Jesus Himself read in the synagogue (Luke 4:18-19), underscores the Messiah's role in bringing miraculous deliverance and healing.

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament presents Jesus as the fulfillment of these messianic expectations. His ministry was marked by a series of miracles that demonstrated His divine authority and compassion. The Gospels record numerous instances where Jesus healed the sick, restored sight to the blind, and even raised the dead, aligning with the prophetic visions of the Old Testament.

In Matthew 11:2-5 , when John the Baptist sent his disciples to inquire if Jesus was the expected Messiah, Jesus responded, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor." This response directly references the messianic prophecies of Isaiah, affirming Jesus' identity through His miraculous works.

Significance of Miracles

The miracles performed by Jesus served multiple purposes. They were a testament to His divine nature and authority, confirming His claims to be the Son of God. In John 10:37-38 , Jesus states, "If I am not doing the works of My Father, then do not believe Me. But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works themselves, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father."

Moreover, the miracles were acts of compassion, revealing the heart of God towards humanity. They provided tangible evidence of God's kingdom breaking into the world, offering a foretaste of the ultimate restoration to come. The feeding of the 5,000, the calming of the storm, and the healing of various ailments all pointed to the Messiah's power to meet both physical and spiritual needs.

Jewish Expectations and Jesus' Miracles

The Jewish people of Jesus' time held various expectations regarding the Messiah, many of which included the performance of miracles. Some expected a political deliverer, while others anticipated a spiritual savior. Jesus' miracles, however, transcended these expectations, revealing a Messiah who came to address the root of human suffering—sin and separation from God.

In John 6:14 , after witnessing the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000, the people exclaimed, "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world." This reaction reflects the recognition of Jesus as the fulfillment of messianic prophecies, though their understanding of His mission was often limited to temporal concerns.

Conclusion

The miracles of Jesus Christ stand as a testament to His messianic identity and divine mission. They fulfilled the prophetic expectations of the Old Testament and provided a glimpse into the redemptive work of God through His Son. Through these miraculous acts, Jesus demonstrated His authority over creation, His compassion for humanity, and His power to bring about spiritual and physical restoration.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 11:2,3
Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 7:31
And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ comes, will he do more miracles than these which this man has done?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

That the Christian Miracles are not Recited, or Appealed To, by ...
... recitals of miracles as might be expected, I would ... to be received as the promised
Messiah; and, if ... upon the same occasion: "He performed miracles; " we might ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter v that the christian.htm

Miracles Deemed an Essential Sign of Messiahship.
... it is obvious, from his receiving Christ's miracles as a proof of his Messiahship,
that he expected such signs ... fulness of Divine power in the true Messiah. ...
/.../section 90 miracles deemed an.htm

What Jesus Says of the Meaning of his Miracles
... The people expected the coming of the Messiah and ... character of his activity, and
mentions miracles only in ... activity as that of the promised Messiah, and refers ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beth/the miracles of jesus/ii what jesus says of.htm

Appendix
... himself to the Jews as theri long-expected Messiah"the One ... among men, the Jews rejected
Him as their Messiah? ... The power to work miracles is common to each ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/appendix.htm

What we Can Say on the Historicity of the Miracles of Jesus
... to come with observation; and that the Messiah had to ... Such miracles would include
the stilling .of the storm at ... this time no fruits were to be expected on the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beth/the miracles of jesus/iii what we can say.htm

The Life of Christ.
... to assert His claims as the Messiah, He did ... To-day the multitude beheld His miracles
with wonder ... a ministry so extraordinary might have been expected to awaken. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter ii the life of.htm

In the Thirteenth Chapter of Revelation Two Beasts are There ...
... himself to the Jews as their long-expected Messiah " the One ... among men, the Jews
rejected Him as their Messiah? ... The power to work miracles is common to each ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the thirteenth chapter of.htm

Jesus Heals a Paralytic at Capernaum.
... then working in Jesus to perform miracles (John 14 ... not prevent Jesus from working
miracles, as disbelief ... characteristic mark of the expected Messiah ( Isaiah 11 ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxv jesus heals a paralytic.htm

Answer to Mr. W's First Objection.
... Nor had Jesus proved himself to be the Messiah, if many miracles had not been
perform'd by him. Such things were expected of the Messiah, when he came, by ...
/.../section 1 answer to mr.htm

The History of Simon Magus.
... and they observed the Jewish festivals, practised circumcision, and expected the
Messiah. ... In most cases, their miracles were undoubtedly of the same kind ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture x the history of.htm