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Miracles—A Manifestation of God’s Presence
Definition
Miracles:
Special interventions by God on behalf of his people. Miracles are closely
associated with God’s works of creation and salvation throughout Old Testament
tradition.
These ‘powerful,’ ‘mighty,’ or ‘miraculous’ deeds of salvation and creation
take place through the action of God’s Spirit and power. This mighty power
of God, manifested throughout the history of Israel, is understood to be
unique.
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God does NOT operate through miracles; he merely intervenes through miracles.
Miracles are the exception, not the rule.
From God’s perspective, there is no such thing as a miracle.
Analogy
The President of The United States is Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces.
Two Miracles
Exodus 14:15 ff.
What Moses must do himself.
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He must, for the present, leave off praying, and apply himself to his business
(v. 15).
What he must order Israel to do.
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Speak to them, that they go forward.
What he might expect God to do.
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Let the children of Israel go as far as they can upon dry ground, and then
God will divide the sea, and open a passage for them through it, v. 16–18.
God designs, not only to deliver the Israelites, but to destroy the Egyptians;
and the plan of his counsels is accordingly.
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He shows favor to Israel; the waters shall be divided for them to pass
through, v. 16.
The same power could have congealed the waters for them to pass over; but
infinite wisdom chose rather to divide the waters for them to pass through;
for that way of salvation is always pitched upon which is most humbling.
New Testament
Matthew 14:22
We have here the story of a miracle which Christ wrought for the relief
of his friends and followers, his walking upon the water to his disciples.
Observe:
1.
Christ’s dismissing of his disciples and the multitude, after he had fed
them miraculously.
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Christ sent the people away. It speaks somewhat of solemnity in the dismissing
of them; he sent them away with a blessing, with some parting words of
caution, counsel, and comfort, which might abide with them.
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He constrained the disciples to go into a ship first, for till they were
gone the people would not stir. The disciples were loathe to go, and would
not have gone, if he had not constrained them. They were loathe to go to
sea without him. If thy presence go not with us, carry us not up hence.
Exodus 33:15. They were loathe to leave him alone, without any attendance,
or any ship to wait for him; but they did it in pure obedience.
2.
Christ’s retirement hereupon (v. 23); He went up into a mountain apart
to pray. Observe here,
He went apart into a solitary place, and was there all alone. Though he
had so much work to do with others, yet he chose sometimes to be alone,
to strengthen his relationship with the Father.
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That he was alone at prayer.
That was his business in this solitude, to pray. Though Christ, as God,
was Lord of all, and was prayed to, yet Christ, as man, had the form of
a servant, of a beggar, and prayed.
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That he was alone for a long time.
There he was when the evening was come, and there he was till towards
morning, the fourth watch of the night.
3.
Christ’s approach to them in their plight (v. 25); and in this we have
an example,
He went to them.
He went unto them, walking on the sea.
4.
Here is an account of what passed between Christ and his distressed friends
upon his approach.
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Between him and all the disciples. We are here told,
How their fears were raised (v. 26).
How these fears were silenced, v. 27.
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Between him and Peter, v. 28–31, we observe,
Peter’s courage, and Christ’s countenancing that.
It was very bold of Peter to venture to go to Christ upon the water (v.
28).
Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee.
Courage was Peter’s master grace; and that made him so forward above the
rest to express his love to Christ, though others perhaps loved him as
well.
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