542. ACT 2:22. THE MIRACULOUS POWER OF CHRIST

Act_2:22. The Miraculous Power of Christ

"Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles, and wonders, and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know."’97Act_2:22.

God has been pleased in all dispensations to testify to the authenticity of his truth and the validity of his servants, whom he hath sent forth to instruct mankind. Thus Moses was empowered to exhibit the glory of Jehovah and the reality of his own divine commission, by extraordinary deeds and signs which he wrought. Thus Elijah and Elisha, and others of the prophets, gave unequivocal evidence that God was with them and spake by them. We look for the same evidences of the Messiahship of Christ, and the Gospels abound with the narrations of them. By them it was manifest to all unprejudiced minds that he was indeed the Christ the Son of God. Hence he says of the unbelieving Jews, "If I had not done among them works which none other man did, they had not had sin; but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father;" Joh_15:24. Christ, therefore, desired that his character and office should be tested by the works which he performed, and surely no more obvious and certain ordeal could have been proposed. As the miracles of the Saviour were connected with the whole course of his blessed ministry, we anticipate great instruction and profit in giving them our serious and prayerful consideration. Observe,

I. The description given of the Saviour.

II. A declaration of the miraculous works done by him. Notice then,

I. The description given of the Saviour. He is presented to us,

1. In his human nature. "A man," &c. The earliest prediction referred to him as the "seed of the woman." He was promised as a "child born," as a "son given." His lineage and birthplace were foretold. At length, in the fulness of the times he came, "made of a woman," the fruit of the virgin’s womb. Essentially in body, soul, and spirit, a man. Yet with this extraordinary difference, that the holy thing born of the virgin was conceived by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost. He often described himself as a man, and the Son of man. But with the manhood of the Redeemer was essentially and mysteriously allied the Godhead. He was the tabernacle of the fulness of the God. "God was in Christ." He was "God with us." "The brightness of the Father’s glory, and express image of his person." "God manifest in the flesh." "God over all, blessed for evermore." But Peter, on this occasion, was anxious to prove that Jesus was the Christ or anointed of God. He is presented to us next,

2. In his name, &c. "Jesus of Nazareth." His name, Jesus, was given to him on account of his being the long promised Saviour. "Because he shall save his people," &c. Nazareth was where he chiefly dwelt until he entered on his ministry. Here he was brought up. The place of his residence. Hence he was called a Nazarene. Here, too, he began to open to men the kingdom of heaven. See Luk_4:16, &c. How precious the name of "Jesus!"

The poet has beautifully said,

"How sweet the name of Jesus sounds

In a believer’s ear;

It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,

And drives away his fear."

We are referred,

3. To the Divine approval of Christ. "Approved of God." There were many evidences that God approved of him. The striking circumstances of his baptism, when the Holy Spirit descended, and the voice was heard, "This is my beloved Son," &c. The repetition of the same testimony on the mount of transfiguration. But such also were all the miracles he wrought. All these were the evidences which God gave to his Messiahship. They were all confirmatory of the Divine approbation. God never gave these signs to establish an impostor or false prophet, or to give efficacy to a delusion or lie. Thus Jesus was approved of God by miracles, and wonders, and signs. By the series of wonders which attended his life and ministry. Observe, we have in the text,

II. A declaration of the miraculous works done by him. Now these miracles of Christ,

1. Were numerous. We cannot state exactly how many, for often they are given to us in general phraseology. As "he healed multitudes," "cast devils out of many," &c. It is clear that he wrought more miracles than all those recorded of Moses and the prophets. His ministry was one glorious scene of signs, and miracles, and wondrous works.

2. They were strikingly various. All sorts of diseases and maladies he healed. All kinds of infirmities removed. Evil spirits of all sorts dispossessed. He wrought miracles on all classes and descriptions of persons. His wonders were performed on the sea and on the land, and on the living and on the dead. Those recently afflicted, as Peter’s wife’s mother, and those who had been bowed with afflictions for many years.

They were performed in the most public places. Never in secret. There were always some to attest them. Often many persons, and sometimes crowds. Some of his miracles were wrought in the presence of his bitterest enemies. His signs were wrought in the light of day, in "the midst" of the Jews, as they themselves knew.

4. They were wrought by his own inherent divine power, and in his own name. Moses and the prophets professedly wrought their miracles by a power given at the time, and in the name of the Jehovah of Israel. But Christ exercised supreme authority, and spake, and by his own power wrought the deeds, and wonders, and signs. He said, "I will, be thou whole." He commanded Lazarus to "come forth." He spoke, and rebuked the winds and the sea, &c. And it is evident that this power he could command on any emergency, and thus was illustrated, "The Father loved the Son, and hath given all things into his hands." And again, when he declared, "All power is given unto me, both in heaven and on earth."

5. His miracles were in harmony with the kingdom of grace and mercy he came to set up. His were emphatically miracles of love and mercy. He healed, but never inflicted diseases. He blessed, but cursed not. He imparted ease, and comfort, and joy, but never did minister to increase the miseries of men. He came not to blight or to destroy, but to save. "He went about doing good."

6. His miracles were often connected with spiritual blessings. Often, when he healed the body, he also forgave the sin, and healed the maladies of the mind. Often, when he expelled demons, he also made the objects of his miraculous mercy the subjects of his saving grace. Learn,

1. How glorious is the character of the Saviour.

2. How worthy of our admiration, confidence, and supreme affection.

3. How terrible will be his wrath to impenitent sinners.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS