91. Through Jesus’miracles he showed that he is the Messiah and that the kingdom of God begins in him.

Through Jesus’miracles he showed that he is the Messiah and that the kingdom of God begins in him. 

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 91

Ave Maria series

91  But why did Jesus work miracles?

The miracles that Jesus worked were signs that the kingdom of God was beginning.  They expressed his love for mankind and reaffirmed his mission.  [547-550]

 Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.  Painting by Carl Heinrich Bloch (1834-1890). ....91

Jesus’ miracles were not self-aggrandizing displays of magic.  He was filled with the power of God’s healing love.  Through his miracles he showed that he is the Messiah and that the kingdom of God begins in him.  Thus it became possible to experience the dawn of the new world: he freed people from hunger (John 6:5-15), injustice (Luke 19:8), sickness, and death (Matthew 11:5).  By driving out demons, he began his victorious advance against the “ruler of this world” (meaning Satan; (see John 12:31).  Nevertheless, Jesus did not remove all misfortune and evil from the world.  He directed his attention principally to freeing man from the slavery of sin.  His central concern was faith, which he also elicited though miracles.  241-242

And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well; he even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”  Mark 7:37

As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.  John 20:21b

[547-550]

THE MYSTERIES OF JESUS' PUBLIC LIFE

The signs of the kingdom of God

547 Jesus accompanies his words with many "mighty works and wonders and signs", which manifest that the kingdom is present in him and attest that he was the promised Messiah. (Acts of the Apostles 2:22; compare Luke 7:18-23.)²⁶⁸ –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

548 The signs worked by Jesus attest that the Father has sent him. They invite belief in him. (Compare John 5:36; Jn 10:25, 38.)²⁶⁹ To those who turn to him in faith, he grants what they ask. (Compare Mark 5:25-34; Mk 10:52; etc.)²⁷⁰ So miracles strengthen faith in the One who does his Father's works; they bear witness that he is the Son of God. (Compare John 10:31-38.)²⁷¹ But his miracles can also be occasions for "offense"; (Matthew 11:6.)²⁷² they are not intended to satisfy people's curiosity or desire for magic. Despite his evident miracles some people reject Jesus; he is even accused of acting by the power of demons. (Compare John 11:47-48; Mark 3:22.)²⁷³ –CCC

549 By freeing some individuals from the earthly evils of hunger, injustice, illness and death, (Compare John 6:5-15; Luke 19:8; Matthew 11:5.)²⁷⁴ Jesus performed messianic signs. Nevertheless he did not come to abolish all evils here below, (Compare Luke 12:13-14; John 18:36.) ²⁷⁵ but to free men from the gravest slavery, sin, which thwarts them in their vocation as God's sons and causes all forms of human bondage. (Compare John 8:34-36.)²⁷⁶  –CCC

550 The coming of God's kingdom means the defeat of Satan's: "If it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." (Matthew 12:26, 28.)²⁷⁷ Jesus' exorcisms free some individuals from the domination of demons. They anticipate Jesus' great victory over "the ruler of this world". (John 12:31; compare Luke 8:26-39.)²⁷⁸ The kingdom of God will be definitively established through Christ's cross: "God reigned from the wood." (Liturgy of the Hours, Lent, Holy Week, Evening Prayer, Hymn Vexilla Regis: "Regnavit a ligno Deus.")²⁷⁹  --CCC