John 10:40-42 He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained. And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” And many believed in him there.
I think we can all agree that Jesus Christ is the greatest man who has ever lived, but Jesus said that His cousin John the Baptizer came in second. In Matthew 11:11 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist.” John’s public ministry lasted a few mere months before he sent his followers to be the base of Jesus’ ministry and was beheaded.
Jesus’ ministry was filled with miracles that served as signs pointing to the Kingdom of God and Himself as God the King. In John’s gospel these include turning water into wine (John 2), healing the nobleman’s son (John 4), healing the lame man (John 5), feeding the five thousand (John 6), walking on water (John 6), giving sight to the blind man (John 9), and raising Lazarus from death (John 11).
Conversely, from what we know, John’s ministry did not include such miracles. We are told, ““John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.”” John’s ministry was more about words of persuasion than works of power.
How about you? Do you love Jesus but have seen little if any of the supernatural and miraculous in your life? Do you sometimes read the Bible and wonder why the miracles you study about do not show up in your life? Do you hear reports from other Christians about God showing up and showing off in incredible and supernatural ways and wonder why that has not been your experience?
Don’t be discouraged. God’s calling for your life to this point may simply be similar to that of John the Baptizer. The greatest man in the world other than Jesus Christ told the truth about Jesus but probably never saw a miracle, so you are in good company.
In your life do you see God more in power or persuasion?