Why Miracles Alone Do Not Build Faith - Why Miracles Did Not Build Faith

Why Miracles Did Not Build Faith

How can such  lack of faith exist  in the face of miracles?  Rejection of Jesus by Jewish religious leaders  seems especially puzzling when you consider that at the very time that he began his ministry, the Jews as a whole were "in expectation" of  "the Christ or the Messiah.  (Luke  3:15)  However, the problem lay in what those expectations were.  Lexicographer W.E. Vine quotes a well-known Bible scholar as saying that  the Jews were obsessed with the idea of a Messiah who would give them "temporal triumph" and "material greatness."  Hence, they were not prepared for the humble, non-political Jesus of Nazareth, who appeared in their midst as the true Messiah in 29 C.E.  The religious leader also feared that Jesus' teachings would upset the existing state of affairs and jeopardize their prominent positions.  (1 John 11:48)  Their preconceived ideas and selfishness blinded them to the meaning of Jesus' miracles.

Jewish religious leaders and others later rejected the miraculous proof that Jesus' followers enjoyed divine favor.  For example, when his apostles healed a man lame from birth, irate members of the Jewish  high court asked:  "What shall we do with these men? Because, for a fact, a noteworthy sign has occurred through them, one manifest to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.  Nevertheless, in order that it may not spread abroad further among  the people, let us tell them with threats, not to speak anymore upon the basis of this name to any man at all."  (Acts 3:1-8;  4:13-17)  Clearly, this wonderful miracle had not built or produced faith in the hearts of those men.

Ambition, pride, and greed are factors that have moved many to shut the doors of their hearts.  This appears to have been the case with Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, mentioned at the outset.  Jealousy, fear, and  a host of other hurtful attitudes have hindered others.  We are reminded, too, of the disobedient angels, the demons, who once had the privilege of looking upon the very face of God.  (Matthew 18:10) They do not doubt the existence of God. Indeed, "the  demons believe and shudder."  (James 2:19) Yet, they have no faith in God.

Next time: Why Miracles Alone Do Not Build Faith - The Meaning of True Faith

The Watchtower, 1997