Magic exists, indeed it does.
The word occult actually means hidden or obscured and it refers to aspects of reality that we don't see, at least not with our physical senses. It doesn't neccesarily mean bad. The critical point here is how this awareness and the knowledge that arises from it is used.
Is it used for gain and self aggrandizement? Or is it used for a greater good, without regard to its possesser?
So yes, in a sense Jesus, Lao Tzu and others were all 'magicians', but how far they were fully realised men is another matter.
Certainly Christ was and to a lesser extent Lao Tzu, Mohammed and others were moving in the right direction.
These were fully realised men who understood that as individuals they were expressions of one higher creative source.
However those who claim special "powers" may well have some occult or esoteric knowledge but in whose service do they use it?
Do they use it for themselves?
Or do they use it for a greater good?
And sometimes those who claim to be acting out of the highest motives are often only doing it for themselves.

Lucifer, from which we derive the words illusion and elude, is a master of deception. Like most modern day political leaders.
So maybe we should ask ourselves who our leaders serve?