Here, Jesus takes control over their action, and that place where they disciples are going. He moves them there, and shows that he has the power over nature to walk across the water, and the power over the force of the wind to move the boat back to the shore. He cannot be forced to do that which is not within God's plan for him to do. How can they overcome him and force him to do what they want him to do if he has this strength over nature, which they themselves do not have?
Healing of a Blind Man (Holy Bible, John 9:1-12)
In this passage, where Jesus heals the sight of man who had been born blind, Jesus tells us that such afflictions in our lives are so that God can be illuminated in our sightless minds according to God's work. It is not that the blind man or his family had sinned, Jesus says, but that he was blind so that "the work of God might be displayed in his life (John 9:3)." We do not need to see to know that God is in our life. Our lives, Jesus says, are illuminated by the light of God, and that as the son of God, Jesus will bring the light of God unto the world. He will light the way for mankind so that even darkness of night will not blind man as to the power and brightness of God's light.
Raising Lazarus From the Dead (Holy Bible, John 11:1-44)
Before His own rising from the dead, Jesus raised Lazarus, so that the world would "see the glory of God (John 11-41)." It was important that Jesus bring Lazarus back from the dead, so that he could show the world that if God had power to raise the dead on earth, they would understand that it was God's glory to raise the dead to heaven above earth after natural death. That God has power over all the forces of the universe....
Jesus is showing the people that God can do this in their lives.
Miraculous Catch of Fish (Holy Bible, John 21:1-11)
This miracle of the fish is when the disciples are fishing, and Jesus asks them if they have fish (John 21:5). When they tell him they have not caught any fish, Jesus instructs them where to cast their net (John 21:6). They do as he says, not knowing that it is Jesus instructing them this way, and they catch enough fish that their nets should tear from the load, but does not (John 21:7-9).
Jesus has just shown the disciples that sustenance through faith is not always in the direction in which they might look. That they must cast about to follow God's plan, and that they will, if they move differently along the course they are used to, deviate from that course, they will often find the glory of God's love for them. God will sustain the hunger of man with wealthy catches that exceed their expectations, and because it is the wealth of faith in God, it will not come apart under them. God is strong, and will fortify them in their faith in Him.
Jesus performed the eight miracles during the time that he was walked among men on earth. He demonstrated God's glory and power, reassuring mankind through the miracles He performed in their lives, that their faith in God would heal, sustain, fortify, and lead them life everlasting.
Works Cited
Theissen, Gerd and Merz, Annette (1998). The Historical Jesus: A Comprehensive
Guide, Fortress Press, Minneapolis, MN. Book.
Williams, Matt (2007). The Miracles of Jesus: Six in-depth Studies Connecting the Bible
to Life. Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI. Book.
