God’s good news in the miracles of Jesus
Roger Ellsworth
Day One Publications
160 pages, £5.00
ISBN: 978-1-84625-407-9
Star Rating : 3
This is a helpful little book on the miracles of Jesus. It begins with an introduction in which miracles are carefully defined (the birth of a baby is not a miracle!), and the question as to why Jesus performed miracles considered.
Eighteen short chapters follow on a selection of Jesus’ miracles, in approximately chronological order, with a final chapter showing their ultimate purpose and also making evangelistic application.
The blurb on the book’s back implies that all of Jesus’ miracles are dealt with, but this is not so; only about half are. In some instances, the omissions are understandable, but some unique and striking miracles are omitted, such as the healing of the leper of Mark 1:40 ff, of the blind man of Bethsaida (Mark 8:22 ff), and of the severed ear (Luke 22:51).
That said, each exposition is clear and straightforward, showing how the miracles illustrate different aspects of Jesus’ character and ministry.
One need not agree with every point of application (Was the lame man at Bethesda really granted the ‘greater healing of his soul’? It is by no means certain) to find the overall thesis compelling, namely that the miracles’ purposes were to show who Jesus is and give a multi-faceted picture of his saving work in redemption.
This Christ-centred approach provides an unspoken but persuasive rebuke to the self-proclaimed miracle-workers of our day and to those who may be deceived by them. Jesus’ miracles were not random acts of kindness; they were gospel-focused lessons for us to take to heart.
The book works well as a devotional work for believers. There are helpful summary points for personal reflection at the end of each chapter. Equally, as the title suggests, there is plenty of gospel in the book, and its modest size and straightforward style render it suitable to give to a thoughtful non-Christian.
David Cooke
Banbury
