I once heard someone say that miracles are the dinner bell of the gospel. And the more I think about that statement, the more I love it. Think about it... when a dinner bell rings, people stop what they're doing. Heads turn. People come running because they know something good is waiting for them.
But here's the thing here, the bell isn't the meal; it's the invitation.
I believe that's one of the beautiful purposes of miracles also. They get people's attention, awaken curiosity, stir faith, and create opportunities for someone to encounter Jesus.
In Acts 3. Peter and John encounter a man who had been unable to walk since birth. In the name of Jesus Christ, Peter tells him to get up and walk. And he does! Can you imagine being there in that moment? A man everyone knew or recognized, who had spent his entire life begging at the temple gate, is suddenly walking, leaping, and praising God!
Naturally, a crowd would gather. People would be astonished and they would all want to know what just happened.
And what does Peter do? He preaches Jesus! Dinner bell... dinner (the Bread of Life)!
He doesn't get excited about the miracle, he doesn't take credit. Instead, he takes the attention that the healing created and points every bit of it toward the risen Christ, calling the people to repentance (Acts 3:12–19).
We see it again in Acts 8:6, when crowds paid attention to Philip's preaching as they heard his message and witnessed the signs God was doing through him.
Here's something I think we need to remember in today's church: We should never be afraid of pursuing miracles that God can use to draw people to Himself. But we should also never become so fascinated with miracles that we forget the gospel they're meant to point toward.
Jesus didn't heal people simply to draw a crowd. He was moved with compassion. He loved people. Their suffering mattered to Him, and it should matter to us.
When someone is healed, that's not merely an opportunity for a good testimony... that's a real person whose life has been touched by the mercy of God. And yet, as wonderful as physical healing is, there's something even greater we want that person to experience- a healed body is wonderful; a redeemed soul is eternal.
The truth is, not everyone who witnesses a miracle will surrender to Jesus. Scripture makes that clear (John 12:37). Signs can capture someone's attention, but they cannot replace the message of repentance, forgiveness, and salvation through Christ.
So let's pray for the sick. Let's believe God for the impossible. Let's ask boldly, minister compassionately, and give Him every bit of the glory. And when God moves, let's not stop at celebrating what happened there. Let's tell people WHO made it happen, WHY He came, and HOW they can know Him.
Because the miracle may be what brings someone running, but Jesus is the One who can give them life.
So ring the bell! Ring it boldly! But don't forget to invite them to the table.
Jesus is still the Bread of Life. And He's the reason we're ringing it in the first place.
"I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." -John 6:35
~Devin
Devin Osborne
The Early Church
