The miracles of Jesus - Classical Christian Literature by Athleo.net

6 THE PLACE OF MIRACLES
perform. And by way of putting it to the test, we
will apply to it the four words used in the New Testament
to describe our Lord's miracles on various
occasions, all of which contribute something to the
total impression made by them on a devout mind.
II.
I. TJie first of tlicse words is repas,
" terns" n
wonderftl tiling (Acts ii 22).
This was the first impression
made by any miraculous
deed of Jesus Christ. It was a wonderful, inexplicable,
arresting act. But while this element of
wonder was always present, and must remain after
all is said that can be said in explanation, it is
peculiarly unfortunate that it should still dominate the
minds of so many in their approach to the subject.
That all miracles must of necessity be wonderful, baffling
occurrences is unquestionable. They would not be
miracles if it were not so ; for a miracle that could be
explained would be no miracle at all, being by the
explanation removed out of the class of miracles into
that of " ordinary " events. But this is only one of the
less essential features of miracles ; it does not go to
the heart of the question. So far there is nothing to
distinguish a genuine miracle from a mere act of
magic or legerdemain. An Indian juggler does
wonderful, inexplicable things, but we do not call them
miracles. If miracles meant no more than the satisfaction
of the instinct for wonder, they would deserve