If you had seen Jesus’ miracles, would you have thought: Who is this person? Could this be Elijah? Or John the Baptist? Or one of the prophets? (See Matthew 16:13-17.) Why might they have thought that? Maybe because some of Jesus’ miracles reminded them of miracles in their ancient history.
Miraculous resurrections:
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Elijah never died. A chariot carried him to heaven as Elisha watched. (2 Kings 2:6-12) |
Jesus died, was resurrected, and ascended to heaven as many watched. (Acts 1:9-11) |
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Elijah had raised a widow’s son from the dead. |
Jesus raised a widow’s only son from his coffin. (Luke 7:11-17) |
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Jesus raised Lazarus from the tomb after he had been dead for four days. (John 11) |
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Miraculous healings:
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When Naaman bathed in the Jordan as Elisha instructed, His leprosy was healed. (2 Kings 5:1-14) |
Jesus healed many people of different kinds of ailments. More than once He cleansed lepers. (See Luke 5:12-16.) |
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Miraculous provisions of food:
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During a drought, Elijah told a Gentile widow that the Lord would provide enough flour and oil to feed her, her son, and Elijah until the God of Israel sent rain. (1 Kings 17:8-16) |
When Moses obeyed God in the wilderness; the Israelites were fed for 40 years. (Exodus 16:31-36) |
Jesus fed a hungry crowd of over 5000 with five loaves and two fishes. (Mark 6:30-44) |
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Miraculous control over nature:
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When God parted the Red Sea, Moses led thousands of Israelites across dry land. (Exodus 14:21-22) |
Jesus calmed a violent storm (Mark 4:38-41); the frightened disciples said, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (See Psalm 107.) |
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When God parted the Jordan River, Joshua led the Israelites across dry ground. (Joshua 4:18) |
Jesus (whose name is Latin for the Hebrew name Joshua) walked on the water! (Matthew 14:22-33) |
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When Elijah was taken to heaven, he and Elisha crossed the Jordan on dry ground. Elisha watched, and then returned on dry ground. (2 Kings 2:6-14) |
When Jesus ascended to heaven, He was taken up as people watched. (Acts 1:9-11) |
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Who is Jesus?
At the transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36; Mark 8:27-30), Peter, James, and John saw Jesus with Moses and Elijah. “And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son: hear him.’” Who is He, then? The Son of God! The maker of miracles.