Bible Thought: “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed.  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).
            What effect did the miracles of Christ have upon the many who witnessed them?  Astonishment!  What effect did his miracles have upon his chosen disciples?  They certainly helped these men to know Jesus, to grow in understanding and to go forward as followers of the Lord.
            The miracles proved that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, the Savior, whom Peter confessed, when he said, “You are the Christ” (Mark 8:29).  The miracles fulfilled God's purpose in bringing this conviction to the honest truth seeker (John 20:30:31).
            The miracles were intended to show the disciples that the offense of the cross was removed, and that in it Jesus was not conquered, but Conqueror!  A resistant Peter displayed more sympathy than understanding, and stood as a hindrance to what must be (John 18:10-11).  In his rebuke Jesus shows that he knows the spirit which drives us even when we may not.
            The miracles of Christ should inspire us all to follow him at the cost of self-denial; taking up his cross by conforming our lives to the pattern of a crucified Christ, enduring the hardships which go along with that decision and following him to the very end.
Hymn: “Footprints Of Jesus”
Prayer: Father, help me to learn the lessons which others have learned by looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.
NOTE: Years ago I used to contribute articles to Power for Today. The editors at the time were Steven and Emily Lemley. They were kind enough to issue invitations to submit articles beginning in 1991. The articles were limited to 200 words. They would assign a subject and text. The article was to include a Bible thought at the beginning followed by a poem (if desired), a hymn and a prayer. The article I am using here appeared in Power for Today in 1997.