Yes — Jesus proved He was the promised Messiah primarily by performing miracles, signs, and wonders before the nation of Israel.
Les Feldick teaches that the whole purpose of Christ's miracles and signs was to prove to Israel that He was the Christ, the promised Messiah. When John the Baptist asked if Jesus was the One, Jesus pointed to the blind receiving sight, the dead being raised, and the deaf hearing. These signs were recorded so that His identity as the Son of God and King of Israel could be believed.
John 20:30-31 — The Bible states that Jesus' signs were written so that readers might believe He is the Christ, the Son of God.
Matthew 11:4-5 — Jesus answered John the Baptist's question by pointing to the miracles He was performing as proof of His identity.
Acts 2:22 — Peter's sermon declared that God approved Jesus by miracles, wonders, and signs done in the midst of Israel.
Matthew 16:15-17 — Peter confessed Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God — the identity Jesus' signs were meant to prove.
Genesis 12:2-3 — God's covenant with Abraham promised the nation from which the Messiah would come.
The Gospel of John states that Jesus performed many signs in the presence of His disciples, and these were written so that readers might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (John 20:30-31). When John the Baptist asked whether Jesus was the One to come, Jesus replied, "Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them" (Matthew 11:4-5). Peter, at Pentecost, declared that Jesus of Nazareth was "a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you" (Acts 2:22).
Les Feldick stresses that though Jesus certainly had compassion, that was not the main reason for His signs and wonders. The primary purpose was to prove to the nation of Israel that He was the promised Messiah and King. This expectation went back to God's covenant with Abraham: God promised Abraham a nation, a land, and a future government in which God Himself would be their King. Les explains that the Hebrew word "Messiah" and the Greek word "Christ" are synonymous, so "Jesus the Christ" means "Jesus the Messiah." He repeatedly points to the Gospels to show that each sign was designed to confirm His identity — and even John the Baptist needed assurance when in prison, so Jesus sent back word of the miracles He was performing.
Les Feldick teaches that the whole reason Christ performed miracles and signs was to prove to the nation of Israel who He was — the Christ, the promised Messiah. While compassion was certainly present, the main thrust of His signs and wonders was identity. The Bible confirms this purpose in John 20:30-31, where the signs are written so that readers might believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
Les explains that God promised Abraham that from him would come a nation of people, that God would place them in a geographical land, and that one day God Himself, in the person of the Son, would come and be their Messiah, their King, and their Redeemer. This was the Old Testament promise that Jesus came to fulfill. The Hebrew term "Messiah" and the Greek term "Christ" are synonymous, so when we say "Jesus the Christ," we are saying "Jesus the Messiah."
While John the Baptist was in prison, he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, "Are You the One, or do we look for another?" Jesus answered by telling them to report to John what they heard and saw: the blind receive their sight, the dead are raised, and the deaf hear. Les Feldick points to this exchange as proof that the miracles served to identify Jesus as the promised Christ.
The Abrahamic Covenant Background
Les explains that Zacharias' prophecy pointed back to God's promise to Abraham, showing that Israel was expecting salvation from enemies and fulfillment of the covenant — the background for Israel's expectation of the promised Messiah.
The Purpose of the Miracles
Les states that the whole reason for Christ's miracles and signs was to prove to the nation of Israel that He was the Christ, the promised Messiah, and that all they had to do was believe that.
Christ Proved as Messiah, King, and Redeemer
Les says Jesus came to Israel performing signs and wonders to prove He was the promised Messiah, the King ready to give them the kingdom and also their Redeemer.
Minister to the Jews First
Les ties the promise to Abraham to Jesus' coming as Messiah, King, and Redeemer, and says He was the minister to the Jews first and foremost.
Signs as Proof of Identity, Not Just Compassion
Les corrects the misconception that Jesus' miracles were only out of compassion; their main thrust was to prove His identity to Israel.
Messiah and Christ Synonymous
Les explains that Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) are synonymous, so Jesus the Christ is Jesus the Messiah.
Answer to John the Baptist
Les shows that when John the Baptist asked if Jesus was the One, Jesus pointed to His miracles — blind receiving sight, dead raised, deaf hearing — as proof He was the Christ.
Signs in John Prove Son of God
Les teaches that the signs in John's Gospel were given to show Israel that Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah, and the answer to their every need.
John 20:30-31: And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
This passage directly states the purpose of the signs Jesus performed — to prove He is the Christ and Son of God.
Matthew 11:4-5: Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
Jesus answered John's question about His identity by pointing to the miracles He was performing.
Acts 2:22: Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
Peter used Jesus' miracles, wonders, and signs as evidence that God had approved Him before Israel.
Matthew 16:15-17: He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Peter's confession identifies Jesus as the Christ, the very identity that the miracles were meant to prove.
Genesis 12:2-3: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
This is the foundational covenant promise to Abraham from which the promised Messiah would come.
Les Feldick says compassion was certainly true, but the main thrust of His signs, miracles, and wonders was to prove to the nation of Israel that He was the Messiah. The Bible confirms that the signs were written so that people might believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
While John was in prison, he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, "Are You the One, or do we look for another?" Jesus replied by pointing to the blind receiving sight, the dead being raised, and the deaf hearing — proof of His identity as the Christ.
Christ is the Greek term equivalent to the Hebrew Messiah. Both refer to the Anointed One, and Les Feldick says when you speak of Jesus the Christ, you are actually saying Jesus the Messiah.
Watch the Teaching: Why Jesus Came to Israel First — Luke 1 Explained