Reading the book of Matthew. I got to chapter 11 and what an amazing picture of those who see God’s power but still will not believe!
Verse 20 says “they had seen miracles, but were not moved by them. ‘Then Christ began to denounce the people in the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent and change their hearts and lives.“
The text does not tell us that they did not marvel; nor does it say that they did not believe in the power that was displayed, but it is clear that these miracles did not serve as something that made them turn from their sinful ways.
Here’s a question: What if there were believers in those cities in which Jesus had done miracles? Did believers stand up and point to the need to believe in Jesus’ based on the miracles? What If?!?!?!
Miracles are seen today in amazing ways that bring God glory! Well, they are supposed to bring God glory – but do they?!?! I am a testimony myself of what miracles look like and what they can do to the believer’s heart. For me, my faith is bigger!, my trust is even more true!; my words to the lost are even more common – they have to know Him and believe Him so that their lives will be changed and their hearts will be more pure … that’s why I’m always opening my mouth.
When you’ve experienced God’s amazing power yourself, have you told the lost around you about The One who did it? Did you take time to offer them The God who never leaves nor forsakes? OR, Did you just testify about your own favor from Him and let them call on Him without ever believing? What about your own heart? Do you testify about your relationship to Him? or, do you testify about this thing that God did for you because He is able?
Do you see what I’m saying? As believers in The Most High God, our testimony about what He is able to do should point people to Him and not lead them to believe that just anyone at all can just expect Him to solve their problems OR even cause them to believe that our God is an amazing entertainer.
In this scripture, it is clear that Christ sent His disciples to preach the truth – and Christ entered those cities teaching and also showing people the amazing power of God. Christ had to punish these people because they were excited about the works they saw but not by the God that made these works happen. Certainly, they applauded the Christ for the miracles, but not as the Son of God. Christ was not seeking to be glorified, He was seeking to bring them to salvation … repenting of sin and faith in Him!
Repentance was not AND is not spurred on by miraculous acts!
We, as believers in Christ – as the Body of Christ, must aim for the same thing! We just have to lift Him up as Our Savior, because He was lifted up on Calvary to draw all people to Him … not just to miracles! (John 12:32).
Christ Himself must be the one for which hearts long! Christ Himself must be the main attraction! No miracles; no mystical experience can take the place of the Risen Christ.
If we are not careful to point to The God of miracles and NOT to the miracles themselves, we will be leading a generation of people into the lowest place!
Because we have seen/experienced the utmost miracle – our salvation and our reconciliation to The Holy God while we were yet sinners – that miracle must be the one that we feel everyone has to know! We cannot forget and we must know in our hearts that our salvation and reconciliation is the most wonderful miracle that we must share …
Lord God, point our hearts in the right direction. Make our desires to be for You and for The Christ. May we turn from our sin because of what we know about You. May we lead others to true knowledge so that they too will understand the power of God unto salvation. Amen
Loving Christ - Living Christ 