While Jesus walked this earth, He performed many miracles. In fact, He did so many wonderful things that the apostle John said that he supposed the world itself could not even contain the books that could be written about them (John 21:25). The Scriptures do record many specific miracles of Jesus in order that we might know that He is the Christ, the Son of God (John 20:30-31). But, we can also learn great things about Jesus through the miracles He did not perform. Consider a few examples.
1) Jesus did not turn stones into bread. Jesus had been led into the wilderness by the Spirit “to be tempted by the devil” (Matthew 4:1). During His time in the wilderness, He fasted forty days and nights (Matthew 4:2). Afterward, he was hungry. Then, Matthew 4:3 says that the “tempter approached him” and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” As the Son of God, Jesus could have done this. But, in doing so, He would have given into the temptation and failed to fulfill the purposes of God. Furthermore, Jesus did not perform miracles on earth to fulfill His own selfish purposes (i.e. like seeking physical food). Instead, His miracles were used to glorify God and bring about faith in those who saw and heard about them. Neither of these would be accomplished by turning these stones into bread. So, even though Jesus could have performed this miracle, He responded, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
2) Jesus did not call legions of angels to deliver Him. Throughout Jesus’ life, He knew He was going to die – and how He would die (Matthew 16:21-23). Whenever the time for His betrayal and arrest was drawing near, He went to the Garden of Gethsemane and fervently prayed to the Father that there would be another way to accomplish His purposes. But, if not, He would do whatever was the Father’s will (Luke 22:39-46). No other way was provided. He would have to suffer and die to fulfill God’s plan of redemption. Whenever Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss and His enemies arrested Him, Peter wanted to fight. However, Jesus instructed him to put his sword away, saying, “Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and he will provide me here and now with more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53). So, even though Jesus could have performed a miracle to be delivered from suffering and death, He was focused on fulfilling God’s plan of salvation and let Himself be arrested (Matthew 26:56).
3) Jesus did not take Himself off the cross. After being tortured, Jesus had nails driven through His hands and His feet, affixing Him to the cross. There He hung – suspended between Heaven and earth, struggling for each breath, and awaiting His death. During this time, people were watching Him die and mocking Him. Matthew 27:39-40 says, “Those who passed by were yelling insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!’” The chief priests, scribes, and elders joined in the mocking, saying, “He saved others, but he cannot save himself! He is the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God rescue him now – if he takes pleasure in him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God’” (Matthew 27:41-43). Even the robbers being crucified next to Him joined this mockery. Yet, Jesus let Himself die. Even though Jesus could have performed a miracle to take Himself off the cross, He loved you enough to die for you!
Yes, Jesus performed many great miracles that demonstrate Him to be the Son of God. But, there is also power in knowing that Jesus did not use His miracles for self-fulfilling purposes. His love for the Father and for all people took precedence over His own desires!
