BEGINNING OF MIRACLES
John 2:11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
Here we have the launching of the public ministry of the Son of God. For all things have their beginning in him! Revelation 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. And in verse four of our chapter he uses the term, “mine hour.” For this “Alpha” time of miracles shall bring him to his “Omega” hour of his death on the cross.
We can clearly see that in a passage of the Book of Luke. For here he reveals that he has exactly three more days to perform miracles before he gets to the hour of the cross. Luke 13:31 The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. 32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. 33 Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.
Therefore we clearly see that he is the beginning and the end. And that which he begins, he brings to a final and complete end. Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
For there was a beginning hour in creation of the natural universe as recorded in Genesis 1:1. And we see that there was an ending of that creation time, as God rested on the seventh day. Genesis 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
And there was a time of beginning of the gospel of Christ, which had heretofore never been published. Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
And as there was an ending of creation, and an ending of Christ’s miracles, so there shall be an ending of the publishing of the gospel. Revelation 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. The Lord shall have to recall the “testimony” of his church in order for the encroachment of all evil in the very last of time. 2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
He shall then call in his gospel troops in order for his coming to bring his final judgment upon evil doers. Isaiah 26:20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. 21 For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.
So what was the purpose of miracles? It was not for regeneration. It, of itself, did not bring salvation to anyone. This was proved by the encounter of Nicodemus. For even though Nicodemus, a highly learned Pharisee, was sure that Jesus was aided by God’s association with him, he was still told that he still lacked the new birth!
John 2:23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed (same Greek word, “commit” in verse 24), in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. 24 But Jesus did not commit (same Greek word, “believed” in verse 23), himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
The purpose of miracles was to bring God to bear upon humankind! John 9:32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. 33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
And it did not just bring Jesus of Bethlehem to bear upon mankind as being God, the Son. It also brought God, the Father to be manifest in his love for his people whom he had chosen in his Son from before the foundation of the world! Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
For the Lord Jesus strongly affirmed that it was his Father who was actually doing the miracles through, and by him! John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
And in this same chapter he informs us that after his ascension, when the Holy Spirit comes to bring in salvation to us, we would then know that it was his Father who loved us and was doing the works. John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. (That is, ye shall see me by the Holy Spirit living within you.)
John 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. (In that day of regenerating grace, you will understand, by the Spirit, the relationship of the believer to the Son, and his relationship to the Father.)
John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. The internal witness of the Father’s love, co-mingled with the Son’s love will be see in the regenerated believer desiring to walk holy before the Lord, keeping His commands! 1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
For the Son proved his love relationship with the Father in his obedience even unto death! John 14:31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
So what was the difference in his disciples believing in him as listed in our John 2:11 verse, and those said to believe in him in John 2:23 verse, to whom the Lord Jesus did not “commit” himself? It was the manifestation of his glory! Consider these following verses:
The glory of seeing Jesus as very God is revealed to the believers. John 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
When the disciples only took fleshly pride in some of the Lord’s miracles, divesting themselves of giving all glory to God, it hardened their hearts! Mark 6:52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. 8:17 And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?
And as far back as the Prophet Isaiah, the Holy Spirit through him predicted that all in Israel to whom God’s glory was not revealed in the seeing of His miracles would have their hearts hardened! And take notice that this was spoken at the time when Isaiah saw God’s glory! John 12:37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: 38 That the saying of Esaias (Isaiah), the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. 41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
There were two things that the Lord did in his miracles. Matthew 8:16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: 17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. He cast out demon spirits, and he healed physical infirmities! And remember, miracles did not provide regeneration (salvation).
The only thing required to be healed was to be sick! Therefore the Lord “went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” (Acts 10:38) Now in casting out demons and not regenerating those folks, we have another thing to consider. Read carefully the following verses:
Luke 11:24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. The “house” about whom the demon referred was the body of the man he had been cast out.
We have already seen that observing miracles without seeing the glory as the Lord manifest in his first miracle brings one to a hardened heart. And the Lord having cast out demons caused these Israelites to be moralistic. Their “houses” were “swept and garnished.” They were made moralists, but not righteous! Therefore the demon he had not only returned, but brought seven more wicked with him. And therefore the Lord clearly states that he was worse in this last state than he was at the beginning!
Evangelistic fever thrust upon the masses, forcing “decisions” have made people more moralistic, but empty and devoid of regenerating grace. They then become twofold more the child of hell! (Matthew 23:15) Both the Apostles Paul and Peter refer to this.
Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. The willful sin of walking away from a faith once professed, having only received the knowledge of the truth, excludes one from the benefit of the sacrifice made at the cross! For those “once enlightened” by a mere knowledge of the truth, and not enlivened by the Holy Spirit, once they have walked away, cannot be renewed unto salvation! Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
2 Peter 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Here again these had simply escaped the immoralities of the world by a mental knowledge of the truth. For their ‘belief’ in a Jesus is nothing more than demon belief! James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Pastor Gene Breed
Kine 1, 2018
