God performs astonishing miracles, like creating the world, unleashing plagues on Egypt through Moses, dividing the Red Sea, and providing manna and quail for the Israelites. In Jesus’ day, the humanity of Jesus was empowered to work extremely amazing works, including raising the dead. The stereotype of Him being a sensationalist seems plausible, but is it correct?
Is it possible that the Spirit, not the Father, is the sensational one of the Trinity because of His role in performing miracles? However, the Holy Trinity operates as a single entity. The Spirit acts in alignment with the Father and Son’s plan, not as a defector.
To put Him in the box of being a sensationalist would be a very serious mistake. I am reminded of Elijah, who, by the Spirit, performed striking miracles such as drenching a sacrifice with water and then summoning heavenly fire to consume it. Following that, he annihilated 450 prophets of Baal and outran the king’s chariot to Jezreel, a stunning display that would profoundly affect anyone.
After those recent sensational experiences, while standing on the mount of the Lord, God sent multiple sensational signs of God, yet God was silent in them all. Finally, in a non-sensational moment, God whispers to him a prophetic word. I find God’s ways with Elijah made a profound statement we all can learn from. The fact is, God certainly will work through sensational things, but never should we stereotype God’s ways. We must also understand God also works and speaks to the unsensational. If we limit God’s voice or actions to the sensational, we will miss important messages He wants to say to us.
I find it interesting when Jesus ministered; yes, He certainly performed sensational miracles. He also repeatedly told those He healed not to tell anyone. When a crowd began to gather, He would quickly heal to avoid the publicity—the very opposite of how we work with the miraculous today. Sadly, too often we confuse God’s presence with our emotions and desires for the supernational.
In Mark 4:26-29, Jesus points out there is no sensational action when grain grows. The Almighty’s knowledge dictates when He will use noticeable means and when He will operate with great subtlety to achieve His objectives. It is utterly foolish to think we can limit God to only the sensational acts. Too often we attempt to fabricate God’s sensational acts with our loud, pulsing musical style, construction design of buildings, etc., when He will do whatever He needs to do without our fabrications, no matter how well-intended they may be. Truth is, He may interpret our fabrication efforts of His presence as “unauthorized fire” and bring His judgement instead of blessings. We must not presume that the latest fads, however attractive or unusual, are righteous in His eyes, no matter how we defend our choices. It’s important to recall that God focuses on our hearts, not our outward accomplishments or social standing. He stands as the sole leader for our families, churches, and national movements. We should humbly follow His tender direction.