Week 39 John 5
Miracles were (likely) the most spectacular feature of Jesus’ life.
With the miracles a couple of things were going on.
First of all a miracle was a huge benefit for a miracle-recipient (for instance a blind man sees). So that was one thing.
But according to Jesus the miracles also had a second feature to them and that was because the majority of miracles weren’t done covertly. Most were public events. Which meant people witnessed the spectacle and then were faced with trying to account for it.
Of course people could draw whatever conclusion they wanted. Some might be shocked…but then shrug it off. Or shocked and left perplexed. There’s one case where people explained miracles by saying Jesus was an agent of the devil. So people could say whatever. But Jesus himself explained it this way (quoted from a couple of versions):
These very works I am doing testify about me that the Father has sent me
The very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me
The very works that I do testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me
The very works that I am doing testify that the Father has sent me.
So a person in Jesus’ audience – like a bible reader today – can conclude whatever he wants. But the miracle-worker himself said that his miracles confirmed the fact that his Father-in-heaven had sent him.
Note: quote from John 5:36 (CSB ESV NASB NIV)