John 10:37-38

The miracles Jesus performed were the proverbial proof in the pudding. Who could deny the facts that eyesight was restored to the blind, that lepers were healed of their infirmity, that the dead received back life (both spiritually and physically) and that the lame now leaped for joy? His miracles had the finger marks of God written all over them. Jesus was ever fulfilling the prophet Isaiah’s prophecy by doing that which was simply too hard for man to do:

5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 6 Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. Isaiah 35:5-6 (NIV)

24 No one living in Zion will say, "I am ill"; and the sins of those who dwell there will be forgiven. Isaiah 33:24 (NIV)

18 I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him, 9 creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel. Peace, peace, to those far and near," says the LORD. "And I will heal them." Isaiah 57:18-19 (NIV)

Those who were forgiven and restored knew wholeness and peace while those who remained unrepentant knew neither rest nor peace. This has not changed since Jesus walked this earth - know Jesus know peace - no Jesus no peace. Jesus gives us the following promise a little later in John:

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 (NIV)

Believers in Jesus have both the peace with God because their sins have been forgiven and the peace of God which guards their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Paul tells us in Philippians:

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7 (NIV)

Jesus validated His Word through His actions - doing only what His Father does – always about His Father’s business. Jesus equates His constant works to His Father’s earlier in John:

17 Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." 18 For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. John 5:17-18 (NIV)

He later states His motive behind the urgency of His works which He also commanded His dear disciples and us by extension as well:

4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." John 9:4-5 (NIV)

In an almost pleading fashion, Jesus gives a strong appeal to His hearers to, at the very least, believe the miracles even if they do not believe His Words – His works evidencing His divine mission. It is as if He said “though you resist the evidence of my Words, yield to the evidence of my works” (J. C. Ryle). If one knows with certainty, as our Lord most definitely did, the devastation and dire gloom that awaits the unrepentant, it is no wonder that there is such a strong plea from our Savior. Jesus constantly referred back to the proof of His miracles. We find His response to John the Baptist’s query sent from prison regarding the certainty of Jesus’ identity:

21 At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. 22 So he replied to the messengers, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 23 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." Luke 7:21-23 (NIV)

Replying to His disciple Phillip regarding His identity, in a rather astonished and hurtful tone, Jesus states:

9 Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. John 14:9-11 (NIV)

“We should always keep Christ before our eyes. The devil continually tempts us to abandon Christ and seek the Father, saying to ourselves, ‘This or that will please him’. Meanwhile we ignore Christ—the One the Father sent—so that we might listen to Him alone. We respond as the Pharisees did and reject Christ. We wonder, ‘Where is the Father?’ That is the question that the world asks. This is the greatest temptation to your faith. You must devote yourself to the Word of Christ and train yourself to hold on to it so that you never lose sight Jesus.” Martin Luther, Faith Alone.