The Gospels comprise of numerous miracles the purpose of which is to signify a divine message. True Miracles must be visible and go beyond the powers of nature besides being the sign of a divine message. Jesus’ miracles were symbolic actions which explained the nature of His mission. During he last days of his preaching in Jerusalem he performed a symbolic action that was meant to warn the Jewish people. On his way to the city, he “went to a fig tree to see if He could find fruits” – Mt.21:18-22, Mk.11:12-26. When He did not find fruits, but only leaves, he cursed the tree so that it withered. It is obvious from the circumstances that Jesus did the miracle with a spiritual purpose. By cursing the tree, Jesus expressed a warning to the Jews that if they fail to produce fruits they would also be cursed.
The symbol of the fig tree is also found in Luke 13: 6-9.
He spake also of this parable:
A certain man had planted a fig tree in his vineyard and he came and sought fruit thereon and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, “Behold these years I came seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none: cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground?” And he answering said unto him, “Lord let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it; and if it bear fruit, well and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down (Lk. 13: 6-9).
The raising of Lazarus took place at the end of Jesus’ public life. He had received the news of Lazarus’ sickness in good time and if He had wished He could have prevented Lazarus’ death easily enough Jesus allowed Lazarus to die, so that by raising him He could demonstrate a most important aspect of his mission. He wanted to prove by a symbolic action that all men would receive everlasting life through Him.
I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in Me, will live, even though he dies. Whoever lives and believes in Me will never die (Jn. 11: 25-26).
All the miracles dramatically symbolize Jesus’ whole mission of bringing salvation, life, happiness or one of its aspects.
A Writer's Exposé 