NATURE

In this series, we are looking at the miracles Jesus performed and how they point to the fact that He is Lord over all. This next set of miracles we are going to read through display Jesus’ control over nature. The first recorded miracle we have of Jesus, chronologically speaking, is turning water into wine.

“Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ When the jars had been filled, he said, ‘Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.’ So the servants followed his instructions.” (John 2:6-8)

Jesus displayed His power to change the natural element of water into another natural element: wine. Wine was made a little differently two thousand years ago—no machines or factories or wine presses would have been used. Wine would have been made by stomping grapes to get the juice out and then letting it ferment with a little sugar. The fermenting process was key, because if the grape juice fermented for too long, it would become vinegar. Jesus turned the natural water into the best wine of the entire celebration.

“When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. ‘A host always serves the best wine first,’ he said. ‘Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!’ This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.” (John 2:9-11)

We will see that many of Jesus’ miracles led to great belief in Him, especially for the disciples. The next miracle over nature is the miraculous catch of fish on the Lake of Gennesaret.

“When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.’
‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.’ And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.” (Luke 5:4-7)

Jesus displayed His commanding power over fish as He filled Simon’s nets beyond their capacity. This miracle was so convincing that Simon fell on his knees before Jesus and all who experienced the miracle left everything to follow Him. The next miraculous display of Jesus’ power over nature again occurred on the water.

“Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ Jesus responded, ‘Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!’ Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. The disciples were amazed. ‘Who is this man?” they asked. ‘Even the winds and waves obey him!’” (Matthew 8:23-27)

Even the winds and the waves obey Him. Jesus would go on to display His power over natural elements such as bread and fish and hunger by feeding a group of 5,000 men plus women and children as recorded in Matthew 14:13-21 and again a group of 4,000 men plus women and children in Matthew 15:32-39. Like turning the water into wine, this is yet another miracle wherein Jesus displayed His power over food. This year as Thanksgiving may look a little different for some of us—perhaps we won’t get to gather with all of the family we would like to—remember that Jesus is Lord over everything, including the food you have to eat and He can do many miracles with it.

One day, Peter and Jesus needed to pay the temple tax (Matthew 17:24-27) and once again Jesus displayed his power over nature by telling Peter to open the mouth of the first fish he caught and inside would be a large silver coin, enough to cover the tax for both of them. On another occasion, in order to teach the disciples a lesson in faith, Jesus displayed His power over nature as He and the disciples passed by a fig tree that was not bearing fruit.

“In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, ‘May you never bear fruit again!’ And immediately the fig tree withered up. The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, ‘How did the fig tree wither so quickly?’ Then Jesus told them, ‘I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.’” (Matthew 21:18-22)

Finally, Jesus displayed His power over nature one final time by performing a familiar miracle for the disciples. After Jesus had risen from the dead, He was sitting on the shore one morning. Seven of the disciples were out fishing but hadn’t caught anything all night.

“At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, ‘Fellows, have you caught any fish?’
‘No,’ they replied. Then he said, ‘Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!’ So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It’s the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore.” (John 21:4-7)

Whether it was displaying His power over animals, food, drink, or the winds and the waves, Jesus was proving that He has Authority over the nature that He created. As you gather this week with friends and/or family to celebrate Thanksgiving, remember to give thanks to the Lord over all things.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

—Redeemed