The Jewish religious leaders were outraged at Jesus when he claimed to be God's Son. Jesus' response was that they should at least believe the works he did (John 10:37-38). He was referring to what the Jews called the signs of a prophet.
During the first Passover he attended after his baptism and anointing Jesus acted like he had authority over the activities to be allowed in the temple. Zeal for his Father's house had consumed him. He drove out the animals that were for sale in the temple, turned over the tables of the money changers and threw their coins onto the ground (John 2:13-17). At this feast many believed in him because of the signs he did (John 2:23).
Theologians who find it hard to believe in miracles have attempted to "demythologize" the Bible. It proved to be impossible to do so without completely changing the foundation on which Christianity was founded. The miracles form an integral part of the accounts of Jesus' life as recorded in the Gospels. People flocked to him to hear him teach and to have their ailments healed.
The various signs Jesus did proved that he had power over nature and insight into people's minds. He could produce food for thousands using one boy's meal. He spoke to the wind and it obeyed him. To believe that these miracles actually happened is not hard for millions of people. If he is the Son of God, then creating eyes for a man who was born blind should not be out of his league.
On more than one occasion the Jews asked Jesus for a sign to prove that he was their Messiah. Once he answered by saying "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days" (John 2:19). On another occasion he said that no sign would be given them except for the sign of Jonah (Matthew 12:38-39). In both cases he was alluding to his claim that he would rise from the dead.
The climax of Jesus' signs was coming back to life after having been brutally executed. Almost all the apostles' sermons, which are recorded in the book of Acts, has the resurrection as their central theme. There is more evidence for the resurrection of Jesus from the dead than for any comparable event in the first century.
A man who predicts that he would be put to death and rise after three days, is in the words of C.S. Lewis, "the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse". Although not all preachers and theologians believe it, the physical resurrection of Jesus sets Christianity apart from all other religions. If he did not rise from the dead, Christianity would be the biggest hoax that was ever pulled on all of mankind.
Well said!
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