Texts: Matthew 8:23-34
Memory Verse: “So the men marvelled, saying, who can this be, that even
the winds and the sea obey Him?” (Matthew 8:27).
Signs and wonders refer to experiences perceived to be miraculous – unexplainable by natural or scientific laws; an act considered to be of divine agency (Acts 14:8-11). Miraculous signs and wonders are classified into four, viz:
1. Nature miracles (i.e. controlling of nature) such as walking on water, calming the tempest.
2. Healing miracles (i.e. curing of physical impairments and illnesses), e.g. healing the woman with the issue of blood.
3. Restoration miracles (i.e. raising the dead and restoring to life, e.g Lazarus.
4. Exorcisms (i.e. casting out of demons and unclean spirits), e.g., delivering of the demon-possessed slave girl by Paul and casting out demons from the Gadarene demoniac.
Moses, Elijah, and Elisha performed miraculous signs and wonders; Peter and Paul’s did too; so also, our Lord Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry (John 20:30, 21:25). The purposes of signs and wonders are partly to attract attention to God, like in the case of Moses. Many times, God has had to use unusual ways to get our attention. It is also to prove the authenticity of God, to
strengthen the believer’s faith, to substantiate the claim of Jesus to be the Son of God and Messiah, and to show that God desires human wholeness.
The truth is, Jesus did not come just to perform miracles, but for the salvation of mankind and that we might have eternal life (John 6:27). The greatest miracle is the salvation of souls.
Prayer Points:
1. Father, thank You for your signs and wonders.
2. Father, let Your signs and wonders in my life draw many to Your saving grace.
