It Took a Miracle

It Took a Miracle Words: John Willard Peterson (b. Nov. 1, 1921; d. Sept. 20, 2006). (John Peterson)Note: Kansas born John Peterson was the youngest of seven children. He was only four when his father died. He began singing when just a boy, and trusted Christ as his Saviour at the age of twelve. This brought together the two great passions of his life: he loved the Lord and wanted to serve Him; and he loved to make music. John and two of his brothers formed a gospel group in 1940, and were busy in evangelistic meetings. During the war, Peterson served as a pilot, and it was on one of his flights that the idea for It Took a Miracle was born (his first song to become popular). As an Air Corps pilot, Peterson flew supplies, especially 100 octane gas, over the Burma “Hump” and into China, to help in the war against Japan. These flights were often made at night, giving the pilot a glorious view of the starry heavens, the handiwork of God. On the return flight, the next day, he would fly low through the mountain passes and see many remote villages below. And Peterson thought of how the God who set the stars in the sky so loved each of the people living below that He gave His Son to save them. While this gospel song does say some good and true things, it’s use of the word “miracle” is problematic. Like the word “love” the term has been abused and misused to the point where the true meaning has become obscure. For example, in the kitchen we have Miracle Whip salad dressing, and in sports we have “the Miracle on Ice” (the Olympic gold medal won by the American men’s hockey team in 1980). With regard to Peterson’s song, we need to take a look at the biblical use of the word miracle (and other terms applied to the same events). Our English term comes from the Latin word mirari, meaning a wonder. ¤ Miracles. The actual word “miracle” is used sixteen times in the Bible (NKJV)–only twice in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, it translates two descriptive Greek words, and encompasses a third.
¤ Powers. Sometimes miracles are spoken of as “powers.” The Greek word is dunamis, from which we get our word dynamite. Miracles are demonstrations of supernatural power. All three of the latter terms are brought together in one verse. “Jesus of Nazareth [was] a Man attested by God to you by miracles [dunamis], wonders [teras], and signs [semeion] which God did through Him in your midst” (Acts 2:22). A DEFINITION: Miracles therefore are supernatural manifestations of divine power, observable in the external world, causing wonder and amazement in those who witness them. Sometimes, though not always, they can involve acts of mercy toward an individual or group. But mainly each functions as a sign, pointing to something else. As Acts 2:22 indicates, they were the Father’s confirmation of the identity of Christ, and a means of authenticating His message (cf. Jn. 3:2). John tells us he recorded miracles of Christ, which he called “signs” (semeion), given “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (Jn. 20:30-31). T