Jesus performed miracles to prove to the nation of Israel that He was the promised Messiah and the Son of God.
In the Gospel accounts, His healings and signs were not merely acts of power; they were evidence meant to establish who He was. When John the Baptist questioned whether Jesus was the Coming One, Jesus pointed to the blind receiving sight, the lame walking, and the dead being raised. Les Feldick consistently teaches that the whole reason for Jesus' signs and wonders was to prove to Israel that Jesus was the Christ, the promised Messiah.
John 20:30-31 — John states that the recorded signs were written so that readers would believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
Matthew 11:4-5 — Jesus answered John the Baptist by presenting His miracles as proof that He was the One to come.
1 Corinthians 1:22 — Paul explains that Jews require a sign, which is why miraculous signs confirmed Jesus to Israel.
The Bible directly links Jesus' miracles to His identity. In John 20:30-31 (KJV), after recording many signs, John writes, "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." The stated purpose is that people would believe in Jesus as the Christ and Son of God. When John the Baptist asked whether Jesus was the Coming One, Jesus did not give a verbal claim alone. Matthew 11:4-5 (KJV) records, "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." The works themselves were the evidence. Paul also notes, in 1 Corinthians 1:22 (KJV), "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom." This helps explain why Israel's Messiah was accompanied by visible signs: Israel was given the proof they expected.
Les Feldick teaches that the overriding purpose of Jesus' miracles was to prove to the nation of Israel who He was. He says "the whole reason for Christ performing all these miracles and signs was to prove to the nation of Israel who He was, that He was the Christ, He was the promised Messiah" [Clip 1]. He acknowledges that compassion was genuinely present, but "the main thrust of His signs and miracles and wonders was to prove to the nation of Israel who He was" [Clip 2]. He also repeats the observation that Jesus "validated who he was" [Clip 3]. Les connects this purpose to specific Gospel events. When John the Baptist sent disciples to ask if Jesus was the Christ, Jesus told them to tell John what they heard and saw — blind receiving sight, deaf hearing, dead raised — reinforcing John's faith [Clip 6]. Les also points out that the eight signs in the Gospel of John were given to show Israel that Jesus was not only the Son of God and the Messiah, but "the answer to their every need" [Clip 4], and that Jesus came as the promised King ready to give them the kingdom and as their Redeemer [Clip 5]. Finally, Les notes that Israel nevertheless rejected Him, killed Him, and God told Him to sit at His right hand until His enemies were made His footstool (Psalm 110:1) [Clip 3].
Les Feldick acknowledges that compassion was certainly true — Jesus felt for the sick and blind — but he insists the main thrust of His signs and wonders was to prove to the nation of Israel who He was. The miracles were not primarily performances of mercy; they were identity credentials for the Messiah.
When John was in prison, he sent friends to ask, "Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?" 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 KJV). Les says Jesus was reinforcing John's knowledge — pointing to the miracles themselves as proof that He was the Christ.
Les explains that the Jews were always asking for a sign ("show us a sign") because it was their very nature. Paul says by inspiration, "For the Jews require a sign" (1 Corinthians 1:22 KJV). This is why Jesus' ministry to Israel was accompanied by signs — they served as the proof the nation expected.
Les says that after Jesus presented Himself to Israel, they rejected Him and killed Him, saying "we will not have this man to rule over." God answered according to Psalm 110:1, telling Him to sit at His Father's right hand until His enemies are made His footstool. The miracles were not enough to make the nation receive Him.
Why the Gospel Changes After the Cross — Romans 3 Explained
I'm always throwing a curve at her over there, but the little book of James, clear at the back. And I had a lady just last night come up with a question out of the book of James. And a rather valid question, hard to understand from our position in God's grace.
The Whole Reason for Christ's Miracles
Les explains that every sign and miracle Christ performed was to prove to the nation of Israel that He was the Christ and the promised Messiah.
Signs Prove Messiah, Not Just Compassion
While compassion was real, Les insists the main thrust of Jesus' signs and wonders was to prove to Israel that Jesus was the Messiah.
Miracles Validated Jesus' Identity
Les shares that Jesus' miracles validated who He was, and Israel's later rejection led to God saying, "Sit at my right hand."
Signs Proved He Was the Son of God
Les teaches that the whole purpose of Jesus' miracles — including the eight signs in John — was to prove that He was the Son of God, the Messiah, and Israel's answer to every need.
Messiah, King, and Redeemer
Les says Jesus performed signs and wonders to prove He was the promised Messiah, the King who was ready to give Israel the kingdom, and their Redeemer.
John's Question Answered by Miracles
Les shows that when John the Baptist asked if Jesus was the Coming One, Jesus pointed to blind receiving sight, deaf hearing, and dead raised as the proof.
Israel's Appetite for Signs
Les explains that the Jews naturally required a sign, as 1 Corinthians 1:22 states, which is why Jesus' identity was confirmed to Israel through miraculous works.
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 answers John's question by pointing to the miracles as proof that He is the promised One.
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.
John states that the signs were recorded so people would believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
1 Corinthians 1:22: For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
Paul explains that Jews demand a sign, showing why miraculous signs were fitting for Jesus' ministry to Israel.
Psalm 110:1: The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Les quotes this verse to show that after Israel rejected Jesus, God told Him to sit at His right hand.
Les Feldick says compassion was certainly present — Jesus cared for the sick and blind — but the main thrust of His signs and wonders was to prove to the nation of Israel that He was the Messiah. Compassion did not contradict that purpose; it was part of how He displayed His identity.
Jesus was answering John the Baptist's question about whether He was the One to come. By pointing to the blind receiving sight, the deaf hearing, and the dead raised, Jesus showed that His miracles were the evidence that He was the promised Messiah. Les says this reinforced John's knowledge.
Les repeatedly taught that the whole reason for Christ's signs, miracles, and wonders was to prove to the nation of Israel who He was — the Christ, the promised Messiah, the Son of God. He validated His identity through these works.
Watch the Teaching: Why the Gospel Changes After the Cross — Romans 3 Explained