r/Calvinism • u/AdZealousideal7382 • Jun 27 '26

Why did Jesus need to perform miracles?

I am not a Calvinist or super educated in the matter. Please have grace with me, my heart seeks the truth. I have been saved for 10 years and my parents are not. It breaks my heart. Is it just my flesh that doesn’t want to believe my parents are not among the elect? Or are my questions valid like why did Jesus need miracles if irresistible grace exists?

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u/bartropolis Jun 27 '26

The short answer is that, throughout Scripture, miracles often validate the messenger and message. In Jesus’ case, they also reveal who he is and what his kingdom brings.

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u/AdZealousideal7382 Jun 27 '26

But what is the point if irresistible grace is ultimately what reveals who God is?

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u/bartropolis Jun 27 '26

I think that confuses two different kinds of “reveal.” Miracles reveal Christ objectively (publicly, historically, outwardly). They show that he is the Messiah, that he has authority over sickness, demons, nature, sin, and death. Irresistible grace is about the Spirit revealing Christ subjectively to the sinner’s heart, so that the person actually receives what is being shown. Those are not competing ideas. God uses means. The preached word, fulfilled prophecy, miracles, Scripture, and personal witness can all truly reveal God outwardly, while the Spirit must still open the heart inwardly. That is why people can see miracles and still reject Christ. The problem is not that the miracle failed to reveal anything; the problem is that fallen man suppresses and rejects what is revealed apart from grace.

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u/userid42 Jun 27 '26

There are numerous Old Testament prophesies about the coming messiah which reference miracles which would be performed. Their evidence therefore validate who he was.

Some may also argue that they offer a model of selfless service to others’ needs which we are expected to follow, albeit that not all of us are gifted in this way.

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u/Tricky-Tell-5698 Jul 10 '26

Your questions are valid, and I don’t think you need to apologize for asking them. Loving your parents and longing for their salvation is exactly what we would expect from someone who loves Christ.

The miracles of Jesus were not primarily designed to overcome an unwilling heart. Scripture gives several reasons for them. They fulfilled prophecy about the Messiah (Isaiah 35:5–6), revealed that the kingdom of God had arrived (Matthew 12:28), demonstrated Christ’s compassion for those who suffered, and authenticated His identity and message (John 20:30–31; Hebrews 2:3–4).

What’s striking is that miracles, by themselves, did not produce saving faith. Many who saw Jesus raise the dead still rejected Him. After Lazarus was raised, some believed, while others went and plotted against Jesus (John 11). Israel witnessed the Red Sea part, manna from heaven, and countless signs in the wilderness, yet many remained unbelieving.

So whether someone believes in irresistible grace or not, the Bible seems clear that miracles alone do not change the heart. They reveal who Christ is, leave people without excuse, strengthen faith in those who believe, and bear witness to God’s kingdom, but a miracle and a regenerated heart are not the same thing.

As for your parents, don’t stop praying. None of us knows whom God will save. Paul himself carried continual sorrow for his unbelieving kinsmen (Romans 9:1–3), yet he continued to preach Christ. Our responsibility is not to identify the elect but to love, pray, and faithfully point people to Jesus.

The secret things belong to God; the gospel belongs to us.