Good morning. The clock was ticking down, the game was almost over. The underdogs were one goal up and the seemingly impossible was about to happen. The voice giving commentary for the Olympic TV audience was Al Michaels, and he spoke the words that became synonymous with the moment: “Do you believe in miracles?” The U.S.A. team of college kids had beaten the best hockey team in the world, including the NHL. The mighty and unbeatable Soviets had been humbled. It seemed as though miraculous intervention was as good a reason as any to explain how this could happen. The movie that was later made to showcase this victory was entitled, MIRACLE. But is that a proper use of the word?
This is the dictionary definition of miracle: a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency.
We use the word for all manner of events, like the miracle of birth. We may hear the word miracle being used to describe an exceptionally beautiful sunset. We might even hear the word being used in ways that are far from reverent: “Can you believe he actually cleaned his room? I’m telling you, it’s either a miracle or he’s up to something.” None of those uses necessarily require or describe immediate divine intervention.
In scripture, the word miracle is used to describe a means by which God motivates His people. Miracles are used by God to inspire people, to amaze them, and to bring them to their knees as they recognize His power and glory. Miracles were performed by Jesus to accomplish God’s will, but also to testify to the reality that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah of God. Jesus said to his critics in John 5:36 “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me.
Regarding Jesus and our salvation God tells us in Hebrews 2:4 God also testified to our salvation by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
I will not argue against the idea that miracles happen all around us every day, but I will say that the distinction of a miracle being a matter of divine intervention into the “normal” circumstances of existence is important. A miracle is special. A miracle is a testimony to God’s power and of His loving care. A miracle is a testimony to the certainty that God is able to save the lost, no matter how far they have fallen away. A miracle is a testimony that salvation comes to mankind through the person of Jesus Christ.
See the miracles around you today. Give thankful praise for them, but also allow them to testify to you about God the Father Son and Spirit.
Vern