1.-the miracles of jesus

8/13/2019 1.-The Miracles of Jesus

1/33

THE MIRACLESOF JESUS

AAn article in The Washington

Post reported that US andIsraeli scientists have

come up with a theory that Jesusmight have walked on ice ratherthan on water. Their findingswere based on evidence of twoperiods of climactic cooling inthe region 1,500 to 2,000 yearsago. The article said the findingcould provide a scientificexplanation for what manypeople have regarded assupernatural.

Why do intelligent people goto such lengths to explain awaythe miracles of Jesus? Whats atstake in whether or not Jesusturned water into wine or fedthousands with a few loaves?

In the face of such questions,RBC research editor DennisFisher takes a look not only atthe miracles of Jesus but at theirimplications as well.

Martin R. De Haan II

Managing Editor: David Sper Cover Photo:Terry BidgoodScripture quotations are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by ThomasNelson, Inc. Used by permission.All rights reserved. 2006 RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, Michigan Printed in USA

CONTENTS

The Miracle Worker . . . . 2

How Does The BibleUse The TermMiracle? . . 4

What Kind Of MiraclesDid Jesus Do? . . . . . . . . . 8

Why Did Jesus DoMiracles? . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Why Did Jesus MiraclesCreate Controversy? . . 22

Are Jesus MiraclesStill Important? . . . . . . . 30


2/33

THE MIRACLEWORKER

TThe word miracle is

commonly used inmany different ways.

Newspaper headlines, forexample, called it a miraclewhen the Boston Red Soxstunned the New YorkYankees in the 2004World Series.

Walt Disney gavethe titleMiracle to a moviebased on the true story ofHerb Brooks. This player-turned-coach led anunderdog 1980 USOlympic hockey team toa miraculous victory overthe much stronger Sovietteam.

Then there was thetragic story of the 2006 Sagomining accident in WestVirginia. A false report ofa miracle rescue causeda premature celebrationwhen a misunderstoodcommunication indicatedthat all the trapped miners

were alive. Later, however,the newspapers still talkedabout the miracle rescueand recovery of sole

survivor Randal McCloy.Although each of these

examples is related to asense of wonder, none ofthem describes the kindof miracles recorded inthe Bible.

By contrast, look at theway the New Testamentgospel of Luke reports themiracles of Jesus:

He came down with themand stood on a level placewith a crowd of Hisdisciples and a greatmultitude of people fromall Judea and Jerusalem,and from the seacoast ofTyre and Sidon, whocame to hear Him andbe healed of their diseases,as well as those who weretormented with uncleanspirits. And they werehealed. And the wholemultitude sought to touchHim, for power went out

2

Copyright 2006 RBC Ministries


3/33

from Him and healedthem all (6:17-19).According to Luke,

Jesus ability to heal people

and cast out demons waswitnessed by large crowds.People came from as farsouth as Jerusalem andall Judea to hear the Manfrom Galilee and be healed.The sick and disabled,believing that healingpower flowed through Him,strained just to touch Him.Together they saw Himsupernaturally give sightto blind eyes, restorewithered limbs, andcause the deaf to hear.

Those who were cureddidnt know how Jesushealed them, but they didnthesitate to spread the wordof what His healing touchhad done for them. For 3years the crowds followedHim until together theycame to Jerusalem wherethe amazement and praisesuddenly stopped. In theholy city of Jerusalem, the

popular rabbi from Nazarethwas confronted by religiousleaders who accused Himof doing His miracles in the

power of Satan. With suchaccusations they persuadedRoman authorities tosentence Jesus to death.

The New Testament says,however, that the miraclescontinued even after Hiscrucifixion. Three days later,witnesses testified that theysaw Him alive. For 40 daysHe appeared repeatedly toHis disciples until finallyascending into the cloudsfrom the Mount of Olives.

Even today, after 2,000years, there is controversyabout these widely reportedmiracles. While hundredsof millions stake their liveson the Gospels, othersare not sure that the NewTestament accounts shouldbe taken at face value.Instead, like many of thereligious leaders of Jesusday, they speculate onalternative explanations for

3



4/33

Jesus miraculous powers.Even as followers of

Christ remain convincedthat He fulfilled the

longstanding predictionsof a supernatural Messiah,others suspect that there arebetter ways to understandwhat the crowds saw. Someare inclined to look fornatural explanations, whileothers portray the reports asmyths that were inventedover time to support faith inJesus. Metaphysical writers,on the other hand, suggestthat Jesus tapped intoparanormal powers thatany enlightened personcould do.

So what questions needto be considered when itcomes to the miracles ofJesus? Lets look at four:(1) How does the Bible usethe term miracle? (2) Whatkind of miracles did Jesusdo? (3) Why did Jesus domiracles? and (4) Why didJesus miracles createcontroversy?

HOW DOES THEBIBLE USE THETERM MIRACLE?

TThe New Testament

uses three words todescribe a miracle:

sign, wonder, andpower.Sign (Gk. semeion).

The New Testament wordforsign means a visibleevidence of the supernaturalworking of God (Mt. 12:38-39; Jn. 2:11; 11:47; Acts5:12; 8:13; Rom. 15:19).

The use of signs toconfirm the work of God hasroots in the Old Testament.According to Moses, genuinemessengers of God were tobe distinguished from falseones by the miracles thataccompanied their message.

The Hebrew Scriptures,for instance, tell us thatGod called a childless oldman named Abram to bethe father of a chosenpeople (Gen. 12:1-3). As thestory of the nation of Israelunfolded, it was marked not

4



5/33

only by supernatural eventsbut by prophets who weregiven signs to authenticatethe message God wanted

His chosen people to believeand accept (1 Ki. 18:16-46).

Because of thisheritage, a first-centuryJewish audience looked tosigns as a means of testingthe claims of a supposedprophet. In this context,Jesus miracles served asan indication that He wasnot a false prophet but amessenger from God.

Wonder (Gk. teras).Another New Testamentword associated withmiracles is teras, translatedwonder. This refers to theeffect a miraculous eventhad on witnesses. Bothbelievers and unbelieverswere astonished at themiracles performed byJesus and later by Hisapostles (Mk. 2:9-12;Acts 4:30; 5:12).

This same idea ofamazement at seeing the

supernatural activity of Godis also recorded in the OldTestament. When Mosesdescribed God as parting the

Red Sea to lead His peopleto safety, he said that theeffect on the people wasone of wonder, fear, andastonishment (Ex. 14:31).Likewise, when Elijah askedthe children of Israel tochoose between the worshipof Baal and Jehovah, weread that fire fell fromheaven causing them tobow and say, The Lord,He is God! (1 Ki. 18:39).

Similarly, in the publiclife of Jesus, the Gospelrecords declare that in thepresence of many witnessesHe publicly restoreddamaged or missing tissuein human bodies and evenbrought the dead back tolife. The impact on thosewho watched was one ofastonished wonder.

Power (Gk. dunamis).A third term that is used todescribe a divine miracle is

5



6/33


7/33

them outright as myths.Yet the very fact that

miracles are, by definition,an exception to natural law

is what makes the miraclesof the Bible so important.These supernatural eventspoint to a Person greatenough to have created thecosmos and free enough tosupersede His own naturallaws when it serves Hispurposes.

In his classic bookMiracles, C. S. Lewis writesthat God has created twodistinct orders of reality.One is the spiritual worldwhere angels live. The otheris the physical world that weexperience. Lewis maintainsthat these two spheres ofreality are like two mightyrivers that flow alongsideeach other with onlyoccasional intersections. Hereasons that when the Kingof both realms left heavenand entered our world in thePerson of Jesus Christ, therewas an outpouring of the

miraculous. This, accordingto Lewis, showed that Heis ruler of both spheres ofreality. From Him flowed

supernatural power thatrevealed He was sent fromthe Father, who endorsedHis lordship over heavenand earth.

With this view of twospheres of reality and ourexamination of key biblicalterms, we can now offer thefollowing definition for amiracle:

A miracle is theintroduction of Godssupernatural power byaltering the laws ofphysics to endorseGods messenger andadvance His purposes,bringing wonder tothose who see it.

7



8/33

WHAT KIND OFMIRACLES DIDJESUS DO?

IIf Jesus is the Creator of

both heaven and earth,then He has authority

over both spheres of reality(Col. 1:16). The laws ofnature may have operatedfor centuries with somepredictability. But if theCreator actually came toearth in the God-ManJesus Christ, there is reasonto believe that these lawswere bound to obey Him.The uniqueness of Hismiracles would lie inHis power over His owncreated world.

POWER OVERDISEASEThe Bible teaches thatsickness and death enteredthis world through themisused freedom of ouroriginal parents (Gen. 3;Rom. 5). Since then, ithas been the plight of

humankind to deal withall kinds of disease andailments. Yet in the 3 yearsof Jesus public life, we see

diseases cured by His wordor touch.

An example of Hissupernatural power overdisease is recorded in Mark2:9-12. Here we find Jesusforgiving the sins of aparalyzed man who hadbeen carried to Him. Jesusclaim sounded blasphemousto the crowd who hadgathered to hear Him teach.They believed God alonehad the authority to forgivesins. So to prove that Hehad the right to do this, Hesaid to the paralyzed man,Take up your bed and go.

The man stood up. Hishealing was immediate. Henot only had the use of hislimbs but was also giventhe strength to carry thebed that for so long hadbeen his prison. He left thecrowd and headed for home.

What was so significant

8



9/33

about this healing was thatit could not be explained asa psychosomatic cure. Thiswas not about a mans

ability to believe, but aboutwithered, twisted legs thatbecame immediately andvisibly whole at thecommand of Jesus.

The effect on the crowdwas understandably one ofwonder. The Greek wordtranslated amazed isexistemi (lit. to be besideoneself). But the emotionof the moment was notjust awe in response toan unexplainable act. Itprompted the crowd toglorify God (v.12). Theonlookers recognized thesource of the miraculoushealing as the Creator whohad altered the healingprocess by supernaturalmeans. Now they hadreason to take Jesusseriously when He offered toforgive the sins of those whoentrusted themselves to Him.

Other examples in the

Gospels that show Jesushealing power are:Matthew 8:2-16; 9:20-22,27-33; 12:9-13,22; 14:34-36;

15:21-31; 17:14-18; 20:30-34; Mark 7:31-35; 8:22-25;Luke 13:11-13; 14:1-4;17:11-14; 22:50-51; John4:46-54; 5:1-9; 9:1-11.

POWER OVERNATUREThe American writer andhumorist Mark Twain oncewrote, Everybody talksabout the weather, butnobody does anything aboutit. Twains wit plays on theoften-cited need not just tocomplain about a problembut to try to solve it.

Over a century later,Twains point stands. Evennow in the 21st century, wecan do very little to changemeteorological conditions.Droughts and floods arestill a perennial problem.

In contrast to ourinability to controlweather, Mark 4:37-41

9



10/33

describes a Man who couldcalm a violent storm with aword.

The event happened

on the Sea of Galilee. Jesuswas being taken across thelake by seasoned fishermenwho knew how a suddenshift of wind could changeconditions on the water. Inthis instance, however, theywere caught off guard. As anexhausted Jesus slept in thestern of the ship, conditionson the lake suddenly turnedbad. As Mark records, thewind began pushing thewaves over the side of theboat. Jesus friends becamealarmed and woke Himfrom His sleep.

What happened nextterrified these seasonedfishermen. Jesus calmlyrebuked the wind and seawith the command Peace,be still! (v.39). The wordtranslated Peace is bestrendered Hush or Bequiet, as if He werespeaking to an agitated

child. The atmosphericconditions changedimmediately. The windceased and there was a

great calm (v.39).Jesus disciples feared

exceedingly because ofwhat they had seen. Thesefishermen had neverobserved a weather changelike this. They asked eachother, Who can this be,that even the wind and thesea obey Him! (v.41). Theword translated obeywas a Greek word used ofsomeone who answers aknock at the door to letsomeone in. The implicationis that the laws affectingwind and water listen totheir Creator and let Himin to alter their normalprocess. The discipleswitnessed Jesus authorityover the laws of nature.

Other examples in theGospels that show Jesuspower over nature are:Matthew 14:13-33; 15:32-38; 17:24-27; 21:18-19;

10



11/33

Luke 5:4-8; John 2:1-10;21:3-6.

POWER OVER THESPIRIT WORLDHorror films like TheExorcist have given ourgeneration a fantasy versionof demon possession. Yetthe Bible tells of fallenangels who came into ourworld after being expelledfrom heaven (Isa. 14:12-21;Ezek. 28; Eph. 6:10-18).These demons oppose thepurposes of God and incertain cases gain accessto human bodies andpersonalities.

In Mark 5:1-20 we readabout a demon-possessedman who lived on the eastside of the Sea of Galileeamong tombs. He could beheard day and night cryingout as he cut himself withstones. The townspeopleapparently believed he hadsuperhuman strength, for hehad a reputation of beingable to break the chains of

those who tried to restrainhim.

When Jesus encounteredthe man, He confronted the

demon within him andasked his name. Onedemon spoke on behalf ofthe other evil spirits, Myname is Legion; for we aremany (v.9). KnowingJesus power and authorityover them, the demonsanticipated that they weregoing to be cast out of theman. They didnt want tobe sent into the abyss (Lk.8:31), so they pleaded withHim to be cast into thebodies of a large herd ofhogs feeding nearby. Jesusgranted their request. AtHis command, the demonsleft the man and tookover the bodies of the pigs,which then raced down themountainside to theirdeath in the lake below.

Here Jesus exercisedpower over the spirit worldand delivered a tormentedman, who was later found

11



12/33

by the townspeople sittingand clothed and in his rightmind (Mk. 5:15).

Interestingly, the miracle

had two different effects.Those who found the mandelivered and the hogsdestroyed were afraid. Theypleaded with Jesus to leavethe area. In contrast, theman who had been rescuedfrom his torment had onlyone desireto be with theOne who had saved him(v.18).

Jesus authority over thespirit world showed Hisability to control evil spiritsand to bring sanity andhealth to a man who hadbeen the target of their harm.

Other examples in theGospels that show Jesuspower over the spirit worldare: Matthew 9:32-33; 12:22;17:18; Mark 1:23-26.

POWER OVERDEATHAlthough we are inclinedto ignore our own mortality,

many reminders point tothe reality of death. Parentsbecome grandparents andweaken with age. Young

people are sometimes struckdown before their time byauto accidents or cancer.Yet the death of a child isone of the most distressingexperiences for a parent. Assomeone has said, We areprepared to bury our parentsbut never to bury ourchildren.

An account of the deathof a child is recorded inMark 5:35-43. Jairus, theruler of a synagogue, wasgrief-stricken over hisdaughter who was sickand close to death. Indesperation, he had soughtout Jesus of Nazareth, whoreportedly had marveloushealing powers. Sadly, justas Jesus had agreed to comewith him to see his daughter,word came that she haddied. Because of this, Jairusthought that Jesus help wasno longer needed. Yet Jesus

12



13/33

was determined toencourage his faith andstill go see the little girl.

When Jesus arrived

at Jairus home, Heencountered mourningfamily and friends. WhenHe said that the little girlwas only sleeping, theymocked Him. They hadseen her cold, lifeless bodyand knew she was dead.Underneath their unbeliefwas the assumption thatthere was no possibility ofsomeone being awakenedfrom deaths sleep.

With the distraughtmother and father, Jesus,Peter, James, and Johnwalked into the roomwhere the childs body lay.Picking up a lifeless hand,Jesus said, Talitha, cumi,which means, Little girl,arise. In response to thisgentle command, the 12-year-old girl stood up andwalked.

Although there is littlemore recorded than those

present being overcomewith great amazement(v.42), there must havebeen tears and hugs

between a healthy childand her grateful parents.

Then Jesus gave twospecific instructions. He toldthe parents to give theirdaughter something to eat,but not to tell anyone whatthey had seen. Whileshowing care for the littlegirl, He apparently wantedthose who had laughedat Him to experiencethe wonder of seeing the12-year-old girl full of lifeagain, without being invitedinto the parents joy.

In response to Jairusfaith, and in spite of themourners disbelief, Jesusshowed power over death.

Other examples in theGospels that show Jesuspower over death are thewidows son (Lk. 7:11-15)and Lazarus (Jn. 11:41-44).

Together, Jesus miraclesshowed the authority He

13



14/33

had over disease, nature,the spirit world, and death.But why did Jesus have toperform signs and wonders

at all?

WHY DIDJESUS DOMIRACLES?

IIn Western civilization,

the impact of Jesus ofNazareth is difficult

to overstate. Our currentcalendar is divided intoBC (Before Christ) and AD(Anno DominiLatin forin the year of our Lord).Kenneth Scott Latourettescarefully researchedstudy, The History Of TheExpansion Of Christianity,chronicles the amazinginfluence of Christs lifeand teaching carried bymissionaries from Jerusalem,Judea, Samaria, and into thefarthest corners of the earth.

Such unparalleledinfluence raises questions.Down through history many

other religious leaders havealso made great claims forthemselves. Why thenhavent they had the same

impact on history as Jesus?One answer is that Jesus

claims were confirmed byHis miracles. Supernaturalsigns accompanying Hiswords placed Him in acategory apart from all otherreligious leaders. It was thepattern of the miraculousthat confirmed a series ofdivine purposes.

TO FULFILLPROPHECYOne of the most importantresults of Jesus miraclesis that they confirmed theappearance of the long-awaited, supernaturalMessiah.

For centuries, the peopleof Israel had waited for theanointed King who woulddeliver them from pain andpolitical oppression. Scoresof prophecies anticipatedthe arrival of the Messiah

14



15/33

who would miraculouslydeliver the people of God.

Michael Rydelnik,Professor of Jewish Studies

at Moody Bible Institute,did not grow up believingin Jesus. His parents wereJews who survived the NaziHolocaust. Initially, theyopposed the thought thatIsrael could have missedthe coming of their ownMessiah. But whenMichaels mother studied theScriptures, she eventuallyconcluded that the miracleworker from Nazareth wasthe Messiah foreseen by theJewish prophets. This causedMichael to become curious.As he carefully examined theJewish Scriptures aboutMessiah, he was surprised tofind so many unexplainablecorrelations with Jesus of theNew Testament. Here arejust a few of the strikingparallels that Michaelencountered: Born in Bethlehem

(Mic. 5:2; Lk. 2:1-7)

Born of a virgin(Isa. 7:14; Mt. 1:18-23)

Rejected (Ps. 118:22;Mt. 21:42-43)

Mocked (Isa. 50:6;Mt. 27:31,39-44)

Crucified (Ps. 22:2-7;Mk. 15:34)

Atoned for sin (Isa.53:5-7; Acts 8:30-35)

Resurrected (Ps. 16:8-11;Acts 2:25-32)

Ascended (Ps. 110:1;Acts 1:9-11)Michael is only one of

countless people who havecome to faith in Jesus overthe centuries by consideringthe scriptural evidence.They have come to seethat the miracles of Jesusconfirmed the supernaturalpredictions that foresaw thelife, death, and resurrectionof the promised Messiah.

TO AUTHENTICATEHIS CLAIMSIn many ways, the claimsJesus made to forgive sinsor to give everlasting life to

15



16/33

those who trusted Him werebound to create questions.No confession was moreimportant to His Jewish

countrymen than the wordsof Moses who taught them tosay, Hear, O Israel: The Lordour God, the Lord is one!(Dt. 6:4). So when Jesusmade claims that implied Hisown oneness with God, someof the religious leaders ofIsrael were convinced thatJesus was dangerous.

His Divine Nature.As the New Testamentshows, many who sawthe miracles of Jesus wereconvinced that the long-anticipated Messiah of Israelhad come. But when Jesusbegan talking about Himselfin terms that belonged toGod alone, many found theycould no longer follow Him.

In John 10:30-39, we aretold that some even took upstones to kill Him becauseHe claimed, I and MyFather are one. Jesusresponse was interesting:

Do you say of Himwhom the Fathersanctified and sentinto the world, You are

blaspheming, because Isaid, I am the Son ofGod? If I do not do theworks of My Father, donot believe Me; but if Ido, though you do notbelieve Me, believe theworks, that you mayknow and believe thatthe Father is in Me, andI in Him (vv.36-38).In effect, Jesus was

acknowledging that thecrowds would be justifiedin rejecting His claims if Hecouldnt back up His wordswith the power of God. Butbecause they were seeingmiracles, He challengedthem to believe their owneyes as a first step incoming to faith in Him.

This pattern of thesupernatural would alsoconfirm another purposefor which He said He cameinto the world.

16



17/33

His Ability ToRescue. If Jesus, theCreator of heaven andearth, came to our rescue

(Jn. 1:1-14; Col. 1:13-17),we shouldnt be surprisedto find that He saved Hisgreatest miracle to confirmthe success of that mission.

The Rabbi from Nazarethforesaw not only His deathin Jerusalem but also Hisresurrection. His offer offorgiveness and ofeverlasting life would beconfirmed by His ability tosurvive His own sacrificialdeath. In anticipation ofthis, Jesus said to Hisdisciples:

A little while longer andthe world will see Me nomore, but you will see Me.Because I live, you willlive also (Jn. 14:19).In the hours that

followed, those samedisciples abandoned theOne they had known as amiracle worker. In the worstand darkest moments of their

lives, they watched theirRabbi and Messiah die aterrible death on a Romancross.

Then came the eventthat changed their lives.Three days after Jesuscrucifixion, He rose bodilyfrom the grave. Over thenext 40 days, the NewTestament says that Heappeared many times untileven a doubting Thomasfell down in worship,saying, My Lord andmy God! (Jn. 20:28).

Only after Jesusresurrection did the realityof what happened formclearly in the minds of Hisdisciples. It was then thatJesus opened their mindsto see how the prophets ofIsrael had anticipated Hissuffering and death tomake an atonement forsin (Lk. 24:25-27,44-47).

His Promise ToReturn. Prior to His deathand resurrection, Jesus toldHis disciples that their

17



18/33


19/33

TO SHOWCOMPASSIONJesus miracles did morethan authenticate His

claims. Those same miraclesalso revealed His heart.Together they showed acompassion that was tobe a mark of the long-awaited Messiah of Israel.

In the 7th century BC,the prophet Isaiah hadwritten:

The Spirit of the Lord Godis upon Me, because theLord has anointed Me topreach good tidings to thepoor; He has sent Me toheal the brokenhearted,to proclaim liberty to thecaptives, and the openingof the prison to those whoare bound; to proclaim theacceptable year of theLord (Isa. 61:1-2).Many centuries later,

Jesus read these wordsat the beginning of His 3years of public teaching.He astounded and angeredthe people of His own

hometown of Nazareth, bysaying, Today this Scriptureis fulfilled in your hearing(Lk. 4:16-21).

It was clear that Hesaw Himself as the Messiahcalled to fulfill Isaiahsprediction. He would be theOne to announce good newsto the poor and to heal thebrokenhearted.

Compassion ForThe Bereaved. In Luke7:11-15, Jesus and Hisdisciples came upon afuneral procession in thecity of Nain. There theyfound a brokenheartedwidow who had just losther only son.

When the Lord saw her,He had compassion onher and said to her, Donot weep. Then He cameand touched the opencoffin, and those whocarried him stood still.And He said, Youngman, I say to you, arise.So he who was dead satup and began to speak.

19



20/33


21/33

seen the heart of Jesusreach out to him acrossboundaries of racial andreligious prejudice.

Compassion ForGentiles.As we readthe New Testament, we seethat Jesus spent most ofHis time with His Jewishcountrymen. On at least oneoccasion, He indicated thatHe had been sent primarilyto the lost sheep of thehouse of Israel (Mt. 15:24).Such an acknowledgmentreflects His messianicconnection with thepeople of Israel.

His mission, however,also had global implications.From the days of Moses, theprophets of Israel made itclear that their Messiahwould fulfill Gods promiseto bless the whole worldthrough Abraham (Gen.12:1-3).

A Syro-PhoenicianWoman (Mk. 7:24-30).This account tells us of aGreek mother of Syro-

Phoenician birth who askedJesus to deliver her daughterfrom demon possession.At first look, the Teachers

response sounds heartless.To the desperate womansappeal, He replied, It is notgood to take the childrensbread and throw it to thelittle dogs (v.27).

Referring to Jewishpeople as children andGentiles as dogs seemsanything but compassionate.But its important tounderstand that the Greekword used to record whatJesus said does not referto a wild dog or a dog ofthe streets. Instead, itskunarion, a puppy, asmall house dog.

In response to Jesus,the Syro-Phoenician womanreplied, Yes, Lord, yet eventhe little dogs under thetable eat from the childrenscrumbs (v.28). Jesus wasmoved with compassion.He healed her daughter,and in the process He

21



22/33


23/33

THE RELIGIOUSLEGALISTSOBJECTIONMany religious leaders of

Jesus day tended to focuson the external form of thelaw while losing sight of itsspirit. Believing they hadinherited the authority ofMoses, the rabbis of Israeladded rules over time thatworked against the originalintent of the law.

One of the reasons themiracles of Jesus created somuch controversy is that Heused His power not only toestablish His own credibilitybut also to expose what hadhappened to Israels religion.

Johns gospel describeswhat happened when, on aSabbath day, Jesus healed aman who had been blindfrom birth:

Now it was a Sabbathwhen Jesus made the clayand opened his eyes. Thenthe Pharisees also askedhim again how he hadreceived his sight. He said

to them, He put clay onmy eyes, and I washed,and I see. Therefore someof the Pharisees said,

This Man is not fromGod, because He does notkeep the Sabbath. Otherssaid, How can a manwho is a sinner do suchsigns? And there was adivision among them(9:14-16).The irony is that a

man who was born blindhad his physical sightrestored while thespiritually blind Phariseescould not see beyond theirown traditions. By focusingon the letter of the lawrather than on its intent,they had missed Godspurpose for the Sabbathand the significance ofwhat Jesus had done.

Other incidents of conflictgrew out of similar miracles.Luke 13:10-17 records theplight of an elderly womancrippled by a chronic backailment. She too met Jesus

23



24/33

on a Sabbath day. ThePharisees watched to seeif Jesus would heal on theirday of rest. He did, and the

ruler of the synagoguestepped forward andindignantly said to thecrowd:

There are six days onwhich men ought to work;therefore come and behealed on them, and noton the Sabbath day. TheLord then answered himand said, Hypocrite!Does not each one of youon the Sabbath loose hisox or donkey from thestall, and lead it away towater it? So ought not thiswoman, being a daughterof Abraham, whom Satanhas boundthink of itfor eighteen years, beloosed from this bond onthe Sabbath? And whenHe said these things, allHis adversaries were putto shame; and all themultitude rejoiced for allthe glorious things that

were done by Him(vv.14-17).The Pharisees were

indignant because He didnt

follow the law as they hadinterpreted it. Their loyaltyto a rigid code of conductcaused them to miss Godsmost basic life lessons. Thecharitable virtues of Judaismfaith, justice, and mercywere lost (Mt. 23:23-24).In the process, theymisunderstood a miraclethat brought healing on theSabbatha day originallyintended to bring renewalto the people of God.

THE RELIGIOUSSKEPTICSOBJECTIONIn our own day, itsnot difficult to find somechurch leaders who denycertain miracles of the Bible.Interestingly, in first-centuryIsrael, a group of religiousleaders called theSadducees were knownfor their rejection of

24



25/33

miracles. These Sadduceesrepresented an aristocraticpriestly class who, whileputting emphasis on moral

and religious law, did notbelieve in the resurrectionof the dead nor in theexistence of angels. Theirselective interpretation ofthe Hebrew Scripturesgot them into ongoingarguments with thePharisees (Acts 23:8).

In Matthew 22:23-33,we see how the Sadduceesskepticism put them at oddswith Jesus. In an attemptto question a futureresurrection, they confrontedHim with a hypotheticalsituation in which a womanwas married and widowedseven times before sheherself died. The Sadduceesexample was based on aMosaic law indicating theresponsibility of a man tomarry his deceased brotherswife in order to give herchildren (Dt. 25:5-10).

The Sadducees question

was this: Therefore, in theresurrection, whose wife ofthe seven will she be? Forthey all had her (v.28). The

Sadducees were trying tomake the resurrectionappear ridiculous.

Jesus answered them:You are mistaken, notknowing the Scripturesnor the power of God. Forin the resurrection theyneither marry nor aregiven in marriage, butare like angels of God inheaven. But concerningthe resurrection of thedead, have you not readwhat was spoken to youby God, saying, I am theGod of Abraham, the Godof Isaac, and the God ofJacob? God is not theGod of the dead, but ofthe living. And when themultitudes heard this, theywere astonished at Histeaching (vv.29-33).With His response,

Jesus challenged an anti-supernatural assumption

25



26/33

in which the Sadduceesdenied the resurrection.

Jesus words silencedthe Sadducees (v.34). But

over time, the skepticalSadducees would have toconfront more than Jesusexplanation.

In John 11:1-44 we readabout a man named Lazaruswho had fallen ill. BecauseJesus was a special friendof the family, Lazarussisters sent for Jesus tocome, saying, Lord,behold, he whom Youlove is sick (v.3).

What happened nextwas surprising:

Now Jesus loved Marthaand her sister andLazarus. So, when Heheard that he was sick,He stayed two more daysin the place where Hewas (vv.5-6).The irony is striking.

Jesus loved the family ofLazarus, but He deliberatelydelayed His response to thesisters urgent request. As a

result, Lazarus died.When Jesus finally arrived,He was confronted by twobrokenhearted sisters who

couldnt understand whyJesus didnt come rightaway.

Although John tells usthat Jesus cried when Hesaw the grief of His friends(vv.33-35), it is just as clearthat Jesus had every intentof doing a miracle to showHis power over death (vv.14-15,25-26). He took thisopportunity to reveal thatthe hope of the resurrectionresided in Him alone.Jesus said:

I am the resurrection andthe life. He who believesin Me, though he may die,he shall live. And whoeverlives and believes in Meshall never die (vv.25-26).Then Jesus came to the

grave of Lazarus and criedout:

Lazarus, come forth!And he who had diedcame out bound hand

26



27/33

and foot with graveclothes,and his face was wrappedwith a cloth. Jesus said tothem, Loose him, and let

him go. Then many ofthe Jews who had cometo Mary, and had seen thethings Jesus did, believedin Him (vv.43-45).Jesus had answered the

skepticism of the Sadduceeswith more than words. Hedid a miracle that supportedHis personal claim to bethe source of resurrectionlife and showed theirdenial of resurrectionto be baseless.

THE SCIENTISTSOBJECTIONPioneers of the scientificmethod began their workin Athens over 500 yearsbefore the birth of Christ.Aristotle was the greatfounder of systematicstudy in biology, botany,astronomy, and many otherdisciplines. He was alsotutor to Alexander the

Great, who Hellenizedmuch of the Western worldduring his conquests. Theimpact of Greek culture and

intellectual pursuits hadspread throughout theRoman Empire by thetime of Jesus.

Hellenized Jews tendedto be sophisticated thinkerswho tried to reconcile therevelation of the HebrewScriptures with Greekphilosophy. Likewise,there were Greeks whohad become proselytes ofJudaism who carried theanalytical thinking ofGreece into their new faith.

In John 12, we learn thateyewitnesses of Lazarusresurrection were spreadingthe word. Its possible thatthis is the reason someGreeks who had come toJerusalem for the Passoverasked to see Jesus.

Therefore the people, whowere with [Jesus] when Hecalled Lazarus out of histomb and raised him from

27



28/33


29/33

They are also likely tothink it is possible to makecontact with spirit entitiesand those who have passed

from this life.While the Bible

acknowledges the existenceof angelic spirits who serveGod in human affairs (Heb.1:14), it also speaks of fallenangels who are deceptiveand destructive at heart(Eph. 6:10-18).

In Matthew 12, we readabout a man who wasdemon-possessed, blindand mute (v.22). Jesusrecognized the mansproblem and delivered himfrom the evil spirit that wastroubling him. In responseto this deliverance, someJewish countrymen askedeach other, Could this bethe Son of David? (v.23). Inother words, Is this Davidsdescendant, the promisedMessiah of 2 Samuel 7:12-16, who has come to ruleover us and bring healingto our nation?

The Pharisees attemptedto counter the publicinterest in Jesus by saying,This fellow does not cast

out demons except byBeelzebub, the ruler ofthe demons (v.24).

The argument of thesereligious leaders parallelsthe belief of those whoacknowledge that Jesus didmiracles but that He did soby tapping into spiritualpowers rooted in a sourceother than the God of theBible.

Jesus responded to theaccusation by asking whyHe would cast out a demonif He were in league withthe devil (vv.26-27). Hisreasoning was difficult tochallenge. But His wisdomand power were even morecompelling. Christs ministrywas characterized by servingothers, exposing falsehood,giving hope to the weak,standing for truth despiteconsequences, andsacrificing Himself so

29



30/33

that others might live.Indeed, it was the characterof Christ that furtherexposed the false accusation

that He was doing miraclesby the power of Satan.

ARE JESUSMIRACLES STILL

IMPORTANT?

TThe question is

significant. What doyou say to someone

who says, I dont doubtthat Jesus did miracles. Ijust dont think it matters.Even if Jesus did heal thesick and raise the dead,so what? What differencedoes that make today?

The person whoasks, So what? needs toanswer a different question:Are you looking for realanswers, or are you askingSo what? only to putdistance between yourselfand the claims of Christ?

If the reports of Jesusmiracles are only tradition

and myth, theirsignificance is easilydismissed. But the writersof the New Testament

were convinced that Hismiracles had a time, aplace, credible witnesses,and most important,a role in fulfilling theJewish prophecies.

If the Gospel writersare right, then Jesus abilityto heal diseased bodies,deliver from demons, andraise loved ones from thedead reflect His timelesssignificance to all of us.

Have you ever thoughtabout what it would be liketo be one of the blind or thelepers whom Jesus healed,or the dead to whom Hegave life? If so, your heartis more likely to resonatewith the Bible passagesthat tell us we have all beenborn spiritually blind anddiseased with a fallenhuman nature inheritedfrom Adam.

If you see your own

30



31/33

experience as consistentwith what the Bible saysabout human nature, thenyou may be ready to see

that Jesus death for yoursins and His resurrectionfrom the dead are themiracles that offerforgiveness and everlastinglife to anyone who believes(Jn. 3:16-18; 5:24; Rom.3:23; 6:23; 1 Jn. 5:11).

Personal salvation isthe beginning of what theBible says God is planningfor His family. Beyond theredemption of our ownsouls is His promise torenew all of heaven andearth.

In the last book of theBible we find a vision of thefuture that brings fulfillmentto everything that began inthe book of Genesis. In hisRevelation, John wrote,Now I saw a new heavenand a new earth, for thefirst heaven and the firstearth had passed away(21:1). This passage

provides us with Godsintent for His work ofre-creating our world:Behold, I make all things

new (Rev. 21:5). Theuniverse we now know willbe retired and replaced withsomething wonderfully new.

But how do the miraclesof Jesus fit into this cosmicoverhaul? The answer isfound in the term firstfruits.When a farmers crops areready for harvest, the firstportions he gathers arecalled the firstfruits of whatGod has given him. The

31

By the greatmiracle of Jesusresurrection, Hebecame the first

of many who willbe raised fromthe dead inthe last day.



32/33

New Testament says thatwhen Jesus rose from thedead He became thefirstfruits of those who

have fallen asleep (1 Cor.15:20). By the great miracleof Jesus resurrection, Hebecame the first of manywho will be raised fromthe dead in the last day.

But this promiseof everlasting life in thepresence of God requiresa positive response fromyour heart. You can acceptor reject Gods paymentfor your sin.

The significance ofthis decision is beyondmeasure. How each ofus responds to Christspayment for the debt ofour sin will determinewhere we will spend thefuturein Gods presence,or separated from Him foreternity (Rev. 20:11-15).

If you have not yetreceived Christs offer offorgiveness, you must firstadmit that you have sinned

(Rom. 3:23) and that yoursin has separated you fromGod. Then you can go toGod in prayer to receive

His pardon and the gift ofeternal life. Jesus said:

Most assuredly, I say toyou, he who hears Myword and believes inHim who sent Me haseverlasting life, and shallnot come into judgment,but has passed fromdeath into life (Jn. 5:24).If you sincerely trust

Christ to forgive your sin,you can have the assurancethat you have passed frombeing under Gods judgmentto being adopted as one ofHis own children (Rom.8:15-17).

For further help on howto grow as a Christian,

see the booklet How Do YouLive The Christian Life? (Q0702)www.rbc.org/bible_study/discovery_series/booklet/31030.aspx

32



33/33

www.discoveryseries.org/catalogUSA: PO Box 2222 Grand Rapids MI 49501 2222

Get your free Bible

Resources catalog!Discovery Series

booklets can be

valuable guides to

help you learn whatthe Bible says about a

broad range of topics.Each 32-page booklet

can be used in your

personal Bible study

or in a small-groupsetting.

Your free Bible

Resources catalog

includes a brief

description of each Discovery Series booklet.To get your copy, write to us at the address below

and ask for a catalog. Or follow the link below to

request your copy today.

1.-the miracles of jesus

Documents