When we look at the life of Christ, we see that, in many circumstances, He worked miracles that touched hearts and minds; miracles that changed the lives of many! If someone asked you what the greatest miracle Jesus ever performed was, you could say that it was turning water into wine, multiplying bread and fish, healing the sick, or resurrecting the dead. But what if I say those were not the greatest of His miracles? There is a miracle that was not limited to His time here on earth, but lasts until today! Let us study this together, and I believe you will discover what that miracle truly is.
When God created our planet, He used only His Word to make everything. He created the trees, the rivers, the seas, the mountains, the birds, the fish, and all the animals. Everything was formed by the power of His Word. However, it was different with man. He chose to create us in His own image and likeness; He chose to shape and form us with His own hands. In the book “Story of Redemption”, page 20, it says:
“Angels beheld and rejoiced at the wonderful and beautiful works of God. After the earth was created, and the beasts upon it, the Father and Son carried out their purpose, which was designed before the fall of Satan, to make man in their own image. They had wrought together in the creation of the earth and every living thing upon it. And now God said to His Son, ‘Let us make man in our image’” (The Story of Redemption, p. 20).
This passage shows us that the Lord had already planned to create us before Lucifer’s envy appeared in heaven.
After God’s work was completed, after everything was perfectly prepared, mankind could now enjoy, honor, and glorify His name. However, sin gained a foothold, and people chose to distance themselves from the presence of the King of Kings. I can only imagine God’s heart at that moment as He watched His children ignore and turn away from all that He had done. To better understand God’s feelings, let us use an analogy. Think of a very close friend whose birthday is coming up. You get so excited about the date that you decide to prepare a surprise party with everything he likes best: favorite food, favorite drink, close friends, and in a special place. Fear, excitement, and anticipation fill your heart as you dream about how your friend will react to this surprise.
You have prepared everything with love, care, and affection. Everyone is full of anticipation. But when the big moment arrives, your friend says he doesn’t like the decorations, the food, or the people present, and decides to leave and celebrate elsewhere with others. How would you feel? I imagine you wouldn’t want to be friends with someone who didn’t recognize your effort and love.
This analogy can be compared to the moment when sin entered the world. Again, in the book “The Story of Redemption” it is written:
“Sorrow filled heaven, as it was realized that man was lost and that world which God had created was to be filled with mortals doomed to misery, sickness, and death, and there was no way of escape for the offender. […] I saw the lovely Jesus and beheld an expression of sympathy and sorrow upon His countenance. Soon I saw Him approach the exceeding bright light which enshrouded the Father. Said my accompanying angel, “He is in close conversation with His Father” (The Story of Redemption, p. 42).
The moment Christ was alone with God, a plan of salvation was established for all of us. A plan in which the Savior set out to save us. Wouldn’t it have been easier to just destroy sin at that moment and put an end to it? To destroy humanity once and for all, since we had chosen sin over God?
God could have solved the problem in many ways, for He is God. But He chose to give His own Son to pay our debt; to pay the high price; to die in our place! When Jesus was here on earth, He went through situations where He was mocked, persecuted, humiliated, slandered, and unjustly killed. He didn’t have to go through any of that, but because He loved you unconditionally, He still carried a heavy cross on His shoulders.
Perhaps you are a young person who grew up hearing about Jesus Christ. You would go to church, attend worship services and Sabbath School, but have never experienced a deep and real connection with God. Often, we sit in the pews just hearing about Jesus without having an intimate relationship with Him. We spend our whole lives preaching, singing, playing, helping in the house of the Lord, but with an empty heart and without the sincerity of someone who really loves Jesus. We know that we are flawed, that we commit terrible sins, and that we often don’t represent the kingdom of heaven. But He doesn’t judge or condemn us. He wants us to surrender our hearts completely to Him so that He can transform us, and that our characters may be molded to heavenly standards.
Of all the great miracles Christ could perform, YOU are the greatest miracle of all! He is most interested in your salvation! He wishes to use you as an instrument to bring His love to other young people. He dreams to be with you in the heavenly mansions. Your life may be the only sermon anyone ever hears. Many people don’t know the wonderful God we know, and it may be that the closest anyone will ever get to God is by watching your spiritual journey, your fellowship, and relationship with Him. Wherever we are, Christ’s light must shine. Today you may feel spiritually weak, not having the strength to seek God, or even to pray. Perhaps you feel all alone. But we can be sure of one thing: He does not leave a child alone. He does not leave a sheep in the middle of the road. If necessary, He will leave the ninety-nine to save that one lost sheep.
While bleeding on the cross, agonizing with a crown of thorns in His head, Jesus didn’t think about His suffering or pain, but He looked at us and felt an infinite love for each of His children. It was this love that motivated Him to complete His mission as our Savior. We are Christ’s greatest miracle! The salvation offered to us is His greatest miracle! The opportunity to spend eternity with God is the greatest miracle of all! The connection between heaven and earth restored through Jesus’ sacrifice is His gift to us! Today, may you recognize the Lord’s immense love for you. May this love compel you, and lead you to surrender your life to Him. Let us pray that this generation of young people will be strengthened, encouraged, and ready to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ. May God bless us!
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, KJV).
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16, KJV).
“In this was manifested the love of God to.ward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:9,10, KJV)
