With reference to Jesus’ resurrection, John said, “Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples” (John 20:30 cf. Acts 2:22). All examples of signs, wonders and miracles—whether by Jesus or His apostles—have this common element: They do what natural processes cannot do in the same way. Consider several examples:
- Jesus was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). Babies are born every day. As amazing as new life is, it is still in the natural realm. But the birth of a baby from a virgin is quite different. It is not in the natural realm. It is truly a miraculous sign as the Bible uses that term.
- Jesus calmed the storm (Mark 4:36-41). It is natural for stormy seas to settle down eventually. But it is not natural for them to become calm instantly, at the moment of a man’s command.
- Jesus turned water into wine (John 2:6-11). It is natural for wine to come from water processed through a vine. But the natural process takes a period of time and, with water, uses many ingredients from the soil, the sunshine, the air and the plant. Jesus by-passed that slow, natural process. He turned water into wine in a moment of time.
- Jesus walked on water (John 6:19). Natural law and experience would tell us that a man must sink if he attempts to walk on the surface of a lake. Jesus overruled that law, in that He walked on water and did not sink. The law of gravity was in some way set aside or superseded in that event.