“God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will” (Hebrews 2:4)

There's a remarkable story in the ninth chapter of John about Jesus healing a man who had been blind from birth. As Jesus passed by, He was moved with compassion, stopped, and did something unusual. He spat on the ground, made mud with his saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. Then, He sent the man to wash in the Pool of Siloam. The man returned home, but this time, he could see.

When the Pharisees questioned how this was possible, the man simply told his story. The reaction was mixed. Most were so amazed they questioned if this was even the same person. No one had ever heard of such a thing. They even brought in his parents to confirm that this was, in fact, their son who had been born blind. They couldn't deny that he could now see, so they shifted to questioning the character of the one who healed him.

An argument erupted. The Pharisees declared that the man responsible for the healing couldn't be from God because the miracle was performed on the Sabbath. They interrogated the man, trying to pressure him into condemning Jesus as a sinner. But the man's response, even facing exile from his community and family, was one of profound and simple truth: “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” (John 9:25). This man received more than just his physical sight that day; he gained a clear vision of a powerful truth.

Signs and Wonders Follow the Messiah

The formerly blind man understood something that the religious leaders, who were experts in the scriptures, completely missed. Anyone sent and approved by God would have the power of God to endorse their message. He saw the evidence of the miracle and concluded that Jesus must be from God. His logic was simple and powerful.

He explained it to the Pharisees this way: “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing” (John 9:30-33). He took the undeniable evidence of the miracle and decided that Jesus was the Messiah because these signs testified to that fact.

The Pharisees should have reached the same conclusion. They knew the prophecies. Isaiah had foretold that when the Messiah came, “Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy” (Isaiah 35:5-6). If you look through the Gospels, you see Jesus fulfilling these very words. He restored sight to the blind, opened deaf ears, healed the lame, and freed the tongues of those who could not speak. He did everything the scriptures said the Messiah would do, showing God's clear endorsement of His life and ministry.

The Undeniable Proof of Jesus as Savior

“This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” (Hebrews 2:3b-4)

Here, the writer of Hebrews lays out a powerful, four-fold confirmation that Jesus was sent by God as the Savior of the world. First, His coming was announced by angels. Second, His message was confirmed by the Holy Spirit, who makes the truth come alive to those who hear it. Third, His ministry was supported by signs and wonders. And now, as believers, we participate in the fourth confirmation: the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

These gifts are not just for our own benefit. They are given to show the world around us that we, too, are endorsed and approved by God as His children. “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it... ‘When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men’” (Ephesians 4:7-8).

When we place our faith in Jesus, we become part of a large, interconnected body of believers. We are each given spiritual gifts to serve and build up this body, bringing it to fullness. “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). Seeing the church operate in this way is a fulfillment of Jesus's final instructions: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation... And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues... they will place their hands on people who are sick, and they will get well” (Mark 16:15-18).

The living, breathing Church is ongoing proof that Jesus is who He said He was. We are now His ambassadors on earth, proclaiming the same message of grace that He first revealed. We are His legacy, fully equipped by His Spirit to carry on the work of His kingdom until He returns.

Personal Reflection Questions

1. What’s a moment in your life where God’s work was undeniable—your “one thing I do know” story?

2. How have spiritual gifts—yours or others'—helped build up the church or shown God’s presence to others?

3. How does knowing you’re equipped by the Spirit shape how you share grace each day?