Therefore, the miracle tradition always asks us to ponder the deeper questions implied in the narrative and to identify real, rather than obvious, needs in ourselves and others. This approach was certainly the focus of Jesus ministry and it may offer us insight about our own responses as people of faith. A final observation concerns the relationship between miracles and faith. Matthew, Mark and Luke demonstrate a different view of this relationship than John. In the Synoptics, faith is a necessary prerequisite for the Lord s healing touch.
Faith opens the person to the possibility of a physical cure.
But this healing faith becomes a sign of something more salvation and transformation of life. The Gospel writers again suggest that real health is more than lack of illness. In John s Gospel, the signs serve a variety of purposes. In other instances reliance on signs indicates inadequate faith. John also demonstrates that the faith of those healed is in Jesus, not only in God s power at work in Jesus.