Throughout the history of the world, no figure has demonstrated the supernatural power and divine authority of God as Jesus Christ did. In fact, John records that Jesus did so many astonishing works—including miracles—that “[i]f every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written” (John 21:25). Jesus’ miracles were not mere displays of power, nor were they sideshows to entertain the masses. They were divine revelations, irrefutable evidence of His identity as the Son of God, the Messiah, the exclusive Savior of the world.
Whenever God intervenes in the natural order with His supernatural power and changes things, a miracle has occurred. As God incarnate, Jesus displayed this divine power again and again instantaneously with 100 percent success. That’s why in his gospel the apostle John does not merely call these acts "miracles" as some of the other gospel writers do. Instead, he calls them "signs" (Greek: sēmeion)—evidence that Jesus is not just a way but the Way, not just a truth but the Truth, and not just a life but the Life.
The Purpose of Miracles: Faith, Not Fascination
The miracles of Jesus were never intended to be spectacles for the entertainment of the crowd. They were meant to lead hearts to Him, but many hearts were hard. Indeed, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees, who asked to see a sign after He had performed many, calling them “wicked and perverse” (Matthew 12:39). Jesus lamented humanity’s desire to see signs and wonders—the desire for the spectacular—because it got in the way of faith. His goal was not to satisfy human curiosity but to lead hearts to believe in Him for salvation.
Many sought Him for healing, food, and deliverance, but only a few recognized that the true miracle was Jesus Himself. The ultimate purpose of every miracle was not the immediate physical relief of the broken but the revelation of Jesus as the Savior of mankind.
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Seven Signs: The Miracles in the Gospel of John
John structured his gospel around seven miracles leading up to Jesus’ resurrection. Each one has significance, not just physically but spiritually. Each miracle in John’s gospel is intended to convey a deeper Biblical Truth beyond the miracle itself. Each reveals our inadequacy and need and Jesus’ all sufficiency and provision.
1. By turning water into wine, Jesus assures us that He alone has the power to change our lives (John 2:1-11).
At a wedding in Cana, Jesus performed His first miracle, turning water into wine. It was a sign not only of His authority over creation but also of His transforming power. Responding to His mother’s request, Jesus saved the groom’s family from an entire generation of social disgrace, embarrassment, and shame. And He didn’t give just enough for them to skate by; He provided abundantly with the best wine. Jesus changes the water of our legalism and uncertainty into the wine of liberty and assurance of eternal life.
2. By healing the sick, Jesus defeats what is crippling and hindering our faith (John 4:46-54).
When the nobleman went to Jesus to ask Him to heal his son, he didn’t know that his own heart needed to be healed. He had a flicker of faith—enough to ask Jesus for help—but he had placed limits on Jesus’ power, thinking this healer would have to travel to his son. However, without even seeing the child, Jesus declared him healed. The nobleman believed—and even stayed the night in Cana, free of worry and fear. And because Jesus’ power was not limited by time or space, the nobleman and his entire household believed.
3. By healing the emotionally paralyzed, Jesus overcomes our hopelessness (John 5:1-15).
So many live in spiritual infirmity, surrendered to apathy and hopelessness. The man paralyzed for 38 years was like this—he had become infirm in his will as much as in his limbs. So Jesus asked him, “Do you want to get well?” (v. 6). Then Christ, the only one who could make him whole, restored his body and soul.
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4. By feeding the multitude, Jesus demonstrates that our anxiety is baseless in light of His inexhaustible resources (John 6:1-14).
The disciples began to panic about the hunger of the crowd, and Jesus challenged them to feed them. When Andrew brought before Him a boy with five loaves and two fish, Jesus honored that step of faith and miraculously provided more than enough to feed the crowd of 5,000 men. When Christ’s disciples step out in faith—both then and now—He provides abundantly in accordance with the riches of His glory.
5. By walking on water, Jesus reveals His sovereignty over the storms of life (John 6:16-21).
When the disciples were caught in a storm, Jesus did not come to them immediately—omnipotence can afford to wait. But He always comes in His perfect timing. He came to them through the middle of the storm, walking on the treacherous seas, through the darkness and foam—completely in control. He said to them: "It is I; don’t be afraid" (v. 20). Before He took them out of the storm, our loving Savior took the storm out of their hearts, demonstrating that He is Lord over our every storm.
6. By opening the eyes of the blind man, Jesus reveals that He is the light of the world (John 9:1-41).
This miracle uniquely testified to Jesus' divinity because restoring sight to the blind was something only the Messiah could do. At the healing of this blind man, the disciples were concerned with the cause of his blindness, but Jesus was concerned with repentance and restoration. We are all born spiritually blind, but because Jesus closed His eyes in death on Calvary’s cross, we can open ours fully as we look to the risen Christ, the light of the world.
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7. By raising the dead, Jesus declares that He has the last word—victory (John 11:1-44)!
When Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb, He was foreshadowing His own resurrection, proving that He alone holds the keys to life and death. Indeed, in raising Lazarus, Jesus assures all who trust in Him as Savior and Lord that they too will rise—and not just physically. When we believe in Christ, He awakens our dead spirits so that even on this side of heaven we can experience abundant life through Him.
Do You Believe?
John recorded these miracles, these incredible signs of Jesus’ divinity, “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:31). The same Jesus who performed these signs still reigns today. From His throne at the right hand of the Father, He is still working the greatest of miracles: the salvation of sinners.
If you have not yet put your faith in Jesus, now is the time. He is the one true God—the only one worthy of your worship. His miracles reveal it, and His resurrection proves it. Invite Him into your heart today and experience forever “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).
Many today embrace Jesus’ moral and social teachings but deny the miracles that prove His lordship—His virgin birth, sinless life, atoning death, and bodily resurrection. How should we respond? In Saving Christianity?, Dr. Michael Youssef unpacks the pure and powerful Gospel, Christ’s bold claims, and why we must hold fast to the truths of Scripture.
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Watch Dr. Youssef’s greatest sermons, explore original Christian podcasts, browse an expansive collection of Biblical content, and submit prayer requests at ltw.org
Originally published Friday, 07 March 2025.