Did Jesus do Magic?

Memory Verse:

“With God all things are possible.” Matthew 19: 26

When you read about all the supernatural things Jesus did in the Gospels, do you sometimes wonder if He did magic? What is magic?

My World Book dictionary has a few definitions. It says it’s the pretended or supposed art of using secret charms and spirits to make unnatural things happen; like the fairy’s magic changed the brothers into swans. In simple cultures, magic is often closely related to religion. Sorcery, occult and witchcraft are listed as its synonyms.

Its second definition says magic is something that produces results like a mysterious influence or unexplained power like in music; the magic of her voice charms the audience.

And it also says magic is the art or skill of creating illusions. An illusion is an appearance or feeling that misleads because it is not real. That’s what you see magicians do at birthday parties when they pull a rabbit out of a tall black hat.

Is that what Jesus did? Or were the wonders and healings He did real? And by what power did He do them?

Jesus and His disciples, with His mother were invited to a wedding. The people hosting the wedding ran out of wine. Wine was very important in that culture, especially at a wedding. Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no wine.” Then she also informed the servants to do whatever Jesus told them to.

Mary, being Jesus’ mother, knew He was God’s Son. She must have been thinking -You’re God, Jesus. Please help these people.

There were six huge water pots made from stone standing there. Each could hold 20 to 30 gallons. Jesus told the servants to fill each water pot with water. So they did. They filled each one to the brim – to the top.

Then Jesus told them to draw some out and bring it to the master of the feast. So they filled a pitcher with the liquid. To their surprise it was no longer plain water but had turned into wine. Jesus had made the water into wine.

The master of the feast tasted it. He didn’t know that it had been water, turned to wine. He said it tasted better than the first wine they had served. When Jesus does something, it is always good. It is perfect.

So let’s go back to my question. Did Jesus turn water into wine with magic? Or how did He do it?

The church leaders of that day, the chief priests and the elders, also had questions about how Jesus did such supernatural things. At another time they asked, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” Matthew 21:23 [NKJV]

In Matthew 12:28 we read His answer. “But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you.” [The Living Bible] And there we have His answer. He did it by God’s power.

We call Jesus’ supernatural signs, miracles. A miracle is a wonderful happening that is beyond the known laws of nature.

God created and maintains the whole world. Making water into wine must have been a small thing for Him. But then, nothing God does is ever just a small thing. He does everything for a purpose; to meet our needs and to bring honor and glory to His name.

Going Deeper for Parents:

A lot of people, even Christians, have a hard time believing that Jesus’ miracles were literal.

Let me take you back to John 1 where Nathanael said He now believed that Jesus was the Messiah, because Jesus knew he was under the fig tree when Philip called him. At that time Jesus told him, “You will see greater things than these.” Then He added, “Do you believe all this just because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater proofs than this. You will even see heaven open and angels of God coming back and forth to me, the Messiah.” John 1: 50, 51 [The Living Bible}

Jesus’ disciples did see Him do many miracles. That is what convinced them that He is the Christ.

Bible scholars believe that when Jesus spoke of seeing heaven open and angels coming back and forth to Jesus, He was referring to the future glory of Christ, returning to take us to glory with Him. That is one miracle none of us want to miss.

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