There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.” [John 3.1-2]
Why did Nicodemus assume that miraculous signs were evidence that God was with Jesus? Well, for starters, because they ARE! Jesus Himself would later confirm this as fact in a conversation with Philip:
Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do. [John 14.9-11]
There is a distinction between what is miraculous and what is natural - scientific - worldly - humanly possible. That distinction is what set Jesus apart. That distinction is what sets Jesus' followers apart.
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]
Anything that requires human manipulation is NOT a miracle. Just because man utilizes materials created by a miracle (by God) to accomplish a certain function or task, does make that thing a miracle.
Finance, insurance, medicine and technology are NOT miracles. They are, in fact, the works of man. Yes, God created man and God created every material utilized to develop these industries, but God did not make these industries - they are man's manipulation of God's materials. Just like the gold calf Israel worshiped in the wilderness, they are not miracles and they are not from God regardless what we say.
When the people saw how long it was taking Moses to come back down the mountain, they gathered around Aaron. “Come on,” they said, “make us some gods who can lead us. We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.” So Aaron said, “Take the gold rings from the ears of your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.” All the people took the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron. Then Aaron took the gold, melted it down, and molded it into the shape of a calf. When the people saw it, they exclaimed, “O Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of the land of Egypt!” Aaron saw how excited the people were, so he built an altar in front of the calf. Then he announced, “Tomorrow will be a festival to the LORD!” The people got up early the next morning to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. After this, they celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry. [Exodus 32.1-6]
No matter how much Aaron tried to justify the man-made gold calf declaring a festival associating it with the LORD (specifically using God's name, "Jehovah"), it was an idol. So it is, that no matter how much God's people try to claim the industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology are from God, they are still just idols. It is blasphemy to declare they are anything more than that - just like Aaron did - it is a blatant misuse of God's name (violation of 3rd Commandment).
According to what the Bible actually teaches us, it is just plain stupid, to defend the man-made industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology as miracles (gifts) from God.
The fact that God's people don't really experience indisputable miracles today is another topic, but one that is Biblically traceable to what is discussed here. Suffice it to say, there is indeed a huge distinction between what is God and what is an idol. Jesus proved it. His followers are supposed to prove it.
Just because the Church is miracle-less today does not mean it is supposed to be that way. God's people have NO excuse ...but they have religion!
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! [2 Timothy 3.1-5 bold added]
The point of this article is NOT to encourage the pursuit of miracles. The point of this article is to encourage the pursuit of Jesus. The evidence of doing so WILL BE distinct, indisputable miracles.
The implications of this are overwhelming. However, it does NOT change what God's Word (written and Living in Christ) says. It only makes Jesus' words in Matthew 16.24 even more poignant:
If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24]
Religion and religious people will line up to disagree with what is said here. They will defend their "experience" over what the Bible actually teaches. But, that very defense of their experience in contrast to what the Bible says, is in itself, idolatry.
Father, there is a certain people-pleasing part of me that wishes I couldn't see the truth of the Biblical facts here, and therefore wouldn't keep writing about it... May I instead, unapologetically give up my own way, take up my cross, and follow Jesus regardless who joins in ... or fights it. So be it.
