Jesus was very aware that not all the people listening to His teaching had the capacity to hear what He was saying, or see what He was pointing to. But the miracles they witnessed! From the first recorded miracle of His turning water to wine, to His resurrection and ascension, it became clear that He was Who He said He was.

When one experiences a Cirque du Soleil performance, or watches a favorite sports team complete a comeback for the ages, it might be said, “That was out of this world!” And it would be an apt description. When one realizes Jesus’ life was out of this world, it is no wonder that the populace in His day had trouble hearing what He was saying or seeing what He was pointing to. In this world, the perspective He presented was difficult to grasp. But the miracles opened the ears and eyes of many.

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the One who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.”- Matthew 11:2-5. Jesus’ words and work were out of this world because He was from out of this world. His disciples, across the years of His teaching, heard words contrary to what the religious law espoused in that day, and witnessed miracles that defied natural laws. They were beginning to perceive the ‘out of this world’ perspective Jesus introduced and were learning how to navigate in this world while not being of this world. But now I am coming to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. … Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. – John 17:13-17. Jesus’ prayer to His Father provided spiritual cover against the evil one for His disciples, and all that would follow after them. Dads are charged this Lenten season to talk in family about the miracles Jesus performed, how Heaven did business on earth and how He introduced an ‘out of this world’ perspective. In turn, dads are to pray as Jesus prayed, to provide spiritual cover for loved ones to navigate in this world while not being of it, under His word, the absolute truth.

In his Truth for Life devotion, Alistair Begg, senior pastor of Parkside Church in Cleveland, Ohio, asks, “What enables us to stand up to tests and to face challenges in the Christian life with patient endurance? Is it miracles, signs and wonders? No – while God’s special favor may be a help to us at some point, it is actually a solid, experiential grasp of basic Christian doctrine that will undoubtedly be the light to our path when all else seems dark. When God’s truth settles in our hearts and minds, we can say with confidence, ‘How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent word!’” May His joy be fulfilled in us.

Prayer guide: Father, thank You for Your word and Your truth in my life. I confess my perspective has been caught up in this world with the focus being on success, status and financial goals. Forgive me. Help me embrace Your ‘out of this world’ perspective as I talk about Your miracles with my kids. I pray for You to sanctify us in the truth, Your word, so Your joy may be fulfilled in our home. That is the dad You call me to be and that’s the dad my kids need to see. Amen.

A faithful father talks to his kids about the miracles of Christ.