Jesus challenged His disciples to believe in Him. Of course, they had lived with Him and worked with Him but they did not know who He was. As Jesus explained the intimacy of His relationship with the Father He presented His deity as a simple choice: ‘Believe what I say or look at what I’ve done and ask if anybody other than God could have done it’.
 
Miracles are amazing, by definition. But miraculous signs do not give the whole story. Although they show what was done, they cannot explain the ultimate purpose for which it was done, or the power that made it happen. It is necessary to have an explanation in words. That is why Jesus’ ministry was a lot of teaching punctuated by miracles. One without the other cannot truly define what is being done, who is doing it and the purpose behind it.
 
There is a mistaken idea that as long as we show people love they will understand the gospel. Loving actions are very important but can never define the gospel. Both are needed. However, for those who have no explanation, the only questions they need to ask are ‘Whose power has done this?’, ‘Is He able to save me?’ and ‘Is this God at work’?’ Responsible Christians will always seek to supply the meaning of the sign, explaining the character of Jesus and advertising His loving compassion and redeeming purpose. That is our job: to interpret the wonderful acts of God so that people can put their trust in Him.