Jesus' signs and miracles were performed to prove to the nation of Israel that He was their promised Messiah and the Son of God.
Les Feldick consistently teaches that every miracle, sign, and wonder in Christ's earthly ministry was a demonstration to the Jews of His identity. The miracles were not primarily about compassion, though that was present, but about proving that Jesus was the promised Messiah and King ready to give Israel the kingdom and be their Redeemer.
1 Corinthians 1:22 — Paul states that the Jews require a sign, which Les uses to show why Jesus performed miracles for Israel.
The Old Testament records that God performed signs and wonders throughout Israel's history, from Moses's rod becoming a serpent to the plagues in Egypt. These supernatural acts were given to prove to Israel that God was working on their behalf. In the New Testament, the Jewish people continually sought signs, as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:22 that "the Jews require a sign." The Gospel of John records several miraculous signs, each showing Jesus' identity and His answer to Israel's needs. Near the end of His ministry, Jesus asked His disciples who people said He was (Matthew 16:13-16), and Peter confessed, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Les Feldick teaches that the whole reason for Christ's miracles, preaching, and teaching was to prove to the Jew of his day that He was that promised Messiah. From the covenant with Abraham promising a nation, a land, and a government in the person of a King, Israel was prepared to recognize its Messiah through supernatural signs. Les emphasizes that the Jews' nature was to require a sign, and that is why signs and wonders were the highlight of Jesus' three years of earthly ministry. The signs recorded in John's Gospel were all given to show Israel that He was the Son of God, the Messiah, and the answer to their every need. Les also clarifies that Jesus was ready to give Israel the kingdom and to be their Redeemer. The disciples at first did not understand the cross and resurrection; their essential confession was simply that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Les Feldick teaches that Jesus' entire earthly ministry was directed to the nation of Israel. The Old Testament prepared Israel through signs and wonders, and the Jews continued to demand signs. Jesus' miracles proved to Israel that He was the promised Messiah, the King who was ready to give them the kingdom and also be their Redeemer.
The evidence does not frame compassion as the primary purpose of the miracles. Les Feldick teaches that the miracles were to prove who Jesus was. The Scripture certainly shows Jesus' compassion, but the main thrust of the signs was to prove His identity as the Son of God and the Messiah to Israel.
Les Feldick points out that when Jesus asked the twelve whom they believed Him to be, Peter answered that He was the Christ, the Son of the living God. At that point, the disciples did not yet understand the cross or resurrection. Their article of faith was simply to believe that Jesus was the promised Messiah.
Israel's Covenant Promises
Les explains the Abrahamic covenant promised a nation, a land, and a government in the person of a king, which set the stage for Israel's expectation of a Messiah-King.
Why Miracles? To Prove Who He Was
Les directly answers the question: Jesus performed all these miracles to prove to the nation of Israel who He was, consistent with the Jews' nature of requiring a sign.
Signs Prove Jesus' Identity
Les reiterates that miracle after miracle was performed to prove to the Jew that Jesus was who He said He was, and that the signs in John each carried truth for Israel.
Proving He Is the Son of God
Les states that the whole purpose of the signs was to prove Jesus was the Son of God and the Messiah, and the answer to Israel's every need.
Promised Messiah Ready to Give the Kingdom
Les explains Jesus came to Israel performing signs and wonders to prove He was the promised Messiah, the King ready to give them the kingdom and be their Redeemer.
The Disciples' Confession
Les shows that the whole reason for the miracles was to prove Jesus was the Christ, and that Peter's confession was the article of faith for Israel.
Ministry's Whole Scope
Les emphasizes that the reason for all of Jesus' miracles, preaching, and teaching was to prove to the Jew of His day that He was the promised Messiah.
Continuing the Evidence
Les notes that in Jesus' earthly ministry, miracles, signs, and wonders were highlighted every day, and the purpose was to prove who He was, and the twelve were to continue that testimony.
1 Corinthians 1:22: For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
Paul explains that the Jewish people characteristically demanded signs, which is why Jesus' miracles served as credentials for Israel.
Matthew 16:15-16: 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.
Peter's confession identifies who Jesus is, which was the central truth the miracles were meant to prove to Israel.
Les Feldick teaches that Jesus performed miracles to prove to the nation of Israel that He was their promised Messiah and the Son of God. The signs were Israel's credentials for recognizing their King.
While compassion was present in His ministry, the evidence shows the primary purpose of the miracles was to prove His identity to Israel. Les Feldick emphasizes that the miracles were signs to show He was the Messiah.
Watch the Teaching: Biblical Timeline: Creation to Christ's Kingdom!