Believe in Miracles, But Follow Jesus
Bible teacher Eddie Hyatt briefly looks at the unhealthy emphasis some place on supernatural signs and wonders. He challenges us to “Follow Jesus and let the signs follow you.”
If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you saying, “Let us go after other gods”—which you have not known—”and let us serve them,” you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul (Deuteronomy 13:1-2).
This reminds me of Herod who was “exceedingly glad” to finally see Jesus when Pilate sent Him to him during His trial. Why was Herod “exceedingly glad” to see Jesus? It wasn’t because Herod wanted to know Him and His message. Luke 23:8 says, “He hoped to see some miracle done by Him.” Herod wanted to be entertained by a miracle. His interest in Jesus and miracles was centered in himself and his own egotistical desire.
Believers are not to follow signs; signs are to follow believers. Mark 16:15 says, These signs shall follow (accompany) them that believe. Believers are to follow Jesus and let the signs follow where they will. The devil can perform signs (remember Pharaoh’s magicians) and if we are following signs, we are headed for trouble. Here are some suggestions to help keep us on track.
- Remember that Jesus is the source of true and genuine miracles, so seek Him.
- Remember that a miracle is not an end in itself—to be sought for its own value. Its only value is in bringing glory to Jesus and helping someone in need.
- Remember that the primary purpose of miracles is to honor and exalt the name of Jesus, not build up a preacher, church or ministry.
- Don’t follow signs. Follow Jesus and let the signs follow you.
- Beware of those who would nurture an unhealthy fascination with miracles instead of a closer, more intimate walk with Jesus.
- Avoid the Herod mentality that wants to be entertained by a miracle in much the same way that people pay to be entertained by a magician.
- Believe in miracles, but follow Jesus.
This article originally appeared on the Pneuma Foundation (parent organization of PneumaReview.com) website on October 12, 2006.
I am sad that the works that introduced the Kingdom of God to people as they came near to Jesus have become abstract terms – ‘signs and wonders.’ In John Jesus called them his works and they were so closely identified with Jesus that he says ‘at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.’ For ‘it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.’
Our minds can follow an abstract Jesus presented to us verbally – through words. Our hearts are not convinced by words but they are by experience and experiences. But we have not given this credence – that heart faith requires experience. Jesus had no problem with faith based on evidence as seen in John 14 and Luke 24:36 ff.
In ministry that follows the Jesus model, gospel message always follows hearings and deliverance ministry. The gospel message was always linked to these signs of the Kingdom, at least implicitly. How did we let them get so detached?