JC Blog

"This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will" ( Hebrews 2:3-4 ). Here are four key truths to understanding that Jesus was sent by God as the Savior of the world. First it was announced by angels. Then it was confirmed by the Holy Spirit quickening the message to those who heard it. Then it was supported by the signs and wonders. And now, as believers, we are given the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

"But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: 'When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.' ( Ephesians 4:7 ). These gifts are to show the world around us that we too are endorsed and approved by God.

"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good" ( I Corinthians 12:7 ). When we put our faith in Jesus we become part of a large community of believers who have been given spiritual gifts to complement the body and bring fullness to it. Seeing the church operate in this capacity fulfils Jesus' final instructions to the church, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." ( Mark 16:15-18 ). The church is proof that Jesus is who he said he was. Now we are His ambassadors on earth, proclaiming the message of God’s grace which Jesus revealed to us. We are his living, breathing legacy and we are fully equipped to carry unto completion the work of His kingdom!

Tomorrow we look at Hebrews 2:5-8: Why Does Pain and Suffering Exist?

"God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will" ( Hebrews 2:4 )

In John 9, there is an account of Jesus healing a man born blind. As Jesus passed him, he was urged by compassion to stop and heal the man. He spat on the ground making mud with His salvia and put it on the man’s eyes. After this, Jesus sent the man to wash in the Pool of Siloam. The man came home seeing. When asked by the Pharisees how he could see, he related the story to them. Most were amazed and questioned whether or not this was the same man born blind. No one had ever heard of such a thing happening before. They even brought his parents to testify that this was their son who had been born blind. They couldn't argue that he now could see, so they questioned whether he was blind in the first place.

As he related his story, an argument arose because the Pharisees said the man responsible for his healing couldn’t be from God as he didn't keep the Sabbath Day. They questioned him about everything, and then tried to coerce the former blind man into condemning Jesus as a sinner. The man’s response was amazing, even facing exile from the synagogue, his community and his family. "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!" ( John 9:25 ). This man truly received his sight that day.

Signs and Wonders Shall Follow

The blind man understood an important truth that the Pharisees, who knew the scriptures, missed. Anyone who is sent and approved by God has the power of God to endorse the message delivered. Even the former blind man understood this. The book of John recounts the man’s response to the Pharisees this way; "Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing" ( John 9:30-33 ). The former blind man took the evidence of this miracle and decided that Jesus was the Messiah because signs and wonders testified to this fact.

The Pharisees should have come to the same conclusion since they knew the scriptures. Isaiah prophesied that blind eyes would be opened by the Messiah, "Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will shout for joy" ( Isaiah 35:5-6 ). If you look through the gospels you will see that Jesus restored the sight of the blind, He opened deaf ears, and he healed the crippled and lame and freed the tongues of mutes. He fulfilled everything that scripture said the Messiah would do. This shows God's endorsement on His life.

Over the next two days we will look at Hebrews 2:4 for proof that Jesus was the promised Messiah and sent as the Savior of the world.

Tomorrow we look at Part 2: Proof that Jesus is the Savior