The Miracles of Jesus - Our Daily Bread Ministriesweb001.rbc.org/pdf/discovery-series/the-miracles-of-jesus.pdf · THE MIRACLE WORKER T he word miracle is commonly used in many different

THE MIRACLESOF JESUS

AAn article in The WashingtonPost reported that US and

Israeli scientists havecome 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? What’s 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 Bible Use The Term Miracle? . . 4

What Kind Of Miracles Did Jesus Do? . . . . . . . . . 8

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

Why Did Jesus’ MiraclesCreate Controversy? . . 22

Are Jesus’ Miracles Still Important? . . . . . . . 30

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THE MIRACLEWORKER

TThe word miracle iscommonly used inmany different ways.

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

Walt Disney gave the title Miracle to a moviebased on the true story ofHerb Brooks. This player-turned-coach led anunderdog 1980 US Olympic hockey team to a “miraculous” victory overthe much stronger Sovietteam.

Then there was the tragic story of the 2006 Sagomining accident in WestVirginia. A false report of a “miracle” rescue caused a premature celebration when 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 theseexamples is related to asense of wonder, none ofthem describes the kind of miracles recorded in the 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, who came to hear Him and be 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

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Copyright 2006 RBC Ministries

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

Jesus’ ability to heal peopleand cast out demons waswitnessed by large crowds.People came from as farsouth as Jerusalem and all Judea to hear the Manfrom Galilee and be healed.The sick and disabled,believing that healing power flowed through Him,strained just to touch Him.Together they saw Himsupernaturally give sight to blind eyes, restorewithered limbs, and cause the deaf to hear.

Those who were cureddidn’t know how Jesushealed them, but they didn’thesitate to spread the wordof what His healing touchhad done for them. For 3years the crowds followedHim until together theycame to Jerusalem where the amazement and praisesuddenly stopped. In theholy city of Jerusalem, the

popular rabbi from Nazarethwas confronted by religiousleaders who accused Him of doing His miracles in thepower 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 hundreds of millions stake their liveson the Gospels, others are not sure that the NewTestament accounts shouldbe taken at face value.Instead, like many of thereligious leaders of Jesus’day, they speculate onalternative explanations for

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Jesus’ miraculous powers. Even as followers of

Christ remain convincedthat He fulfilled thelongstanding predictions of 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 that any “enlightened” personcould do.

So what questions needto be considered when itcomes to the miracles ofJesus? Let’s 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 Testamentuses three words todescribe a miracle:

sign, wonder, and power.Sign (Gk. semeion).

The New Testament word for sign 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 that God called a childless oldman named Abram to be the father of a chosenpeople (Gen. 12:1-3). As thestory of the nation of Israelunfolded, it was marked not

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only by supernatural eventsbut by prophets who weregiven signs to authenticatethe message God wantedHis chosen people to believeand accept (1 Ki. 18:16-46).

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

Wonder (Gk. teras).Another New Testamentword associated withmiracles is teras, translated“wonder.” This refers to theeffect a miraculous eventhad on witnesses. Bothbelievers and unbelieverswere astonished at themiracles performed by Jesus 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 theRed Sea to lead His peopleto safety, he said that theeffect on the people was one of wonder, fear, andastonishment (Ex. 14:31).Likewise, when Elijah askedthe children of Israel tochoose between the worshipof Baal and Jehovah, we read that fire fell fromheaven causing them to bow 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

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the Greek word for power:dunamis. From it we get our word dynamite. Whenused in reference tomiracles, power is the divineenergy that produces them.The New Testament usesthis word when describing“mighty works” performedby Jesus of Nazareth andHis apostles (Mt. 11:20-21;13:54; Acts 19:11).

Within the wider scope of the Bible, God uses suchpower to create and sustainthe laws of nature (Ps. 19:1;Acts 14:15; Heb. 11:3).Then, at important momentsin history, He uses the samepower to miraculously alterthese natural laws toconfirm the credibility of His messengers.

The power of a miracle,therefore, is both similar to and distinct from thewonders of nature. Withinthe unfolding story of theBible, the God who parts theRed Sea is the same Creatorwho designs into a seed the

ability to grow into a flower, and gives the salmonits unexplainable ability toreturn to the same riverbedwhere it was spawned. Butto confuse the wonders ofnature with miracles is tomisunderstand why signsare rare and carefully placedevents in history. Miracles ofthe kind Jesus did are anexception, not the rule.

When the Bible presentsa miracle, it describes anevent that cannot beexplained by the laws ofphysics. This is one reasonmany secular scientistsdoubt the miracles of Jesus.By adopting a worldviewbased on scientificassumptions, they find itdifficult to acknowledgeanything that cannot bereplicated and measuredunder controlled conditions.Rather than doubting theirnaturalistic presuppositions,they either reinterpret the“miracles” with naturalexplanations or reject

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them outright as myths.Yet the very fact that

miracles are, by definition,an exception to natural lawis 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 He is ruler of both spheres ofreality. From Him flowedsupernatural 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 God’ssupernatural power byaltering the laws ofphysics to endorse God’s messenger andadvance His purposes,bringing wonder to those who see it.

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WHAT KIND OFMIRACLES DIDJESUS DO?

IIf Jesus is the Creator ofboth 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-Man Jesus Christ, there is reasonto believe that these lawswere bound to obey Him.The uniqueness of Hismiracles would lie in His power over His own created world.

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

humankind to deal with all kinds of disease andailments. Yet in the 3 yearsof Jesus’ public life, we seediseases 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. Jesus’claim 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 given the strength to carry the bed that for so long hadbeen his prison. He left thecrowd and headed for home.

What was so significant 8



about this healing was thatit could not be explained asa psychosomatic cure. Thiswas not about a man’sability 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 emotion of the moment was not just awe in response to an 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 Jesus’healing 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.” Twain’s wit plays on theoften-cited need not just tocomplain about a problembut to try to solve it.

Over a century later,Twain’s point stands. Evennow in the 21st century, wecan do very little to changemeteorological conditions.Droughts and floods are still a perennial problem.

In contrast to ourinability to control weather, Mark 4:37-41

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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 Him from 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 “fearedexceedingly” 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 “obey” was 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 Him in to alter their normalprocess. The discipleswitnessed Jesus’ authorityover the laws of nature.

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

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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 access to 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 thedemon within him andasked his name. One demon spoke on behalf ofthe other evil spirits, “Myname is Legion; for we aremany” (v.9). Knowing Jesus’ power and authorityover them, the demonsanticipated that they weregoing to be cast out of theman. They didn’t want to be 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. At His command, the demonsleft the man and took over the bodies of the pigs, which then raced down themountainside to their death in the lake below.

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

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

Interestingly, the miraclehad 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 desire—to 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 Jesus’power over the spirit worldare: Matthew 9:32-33; 12:22;17:18; Mark 1:23-26.

POWER OVERDEATHAlthough we are inclined to ignore our own mortality,

many reminders point to the reality of death. Parentsbecome grandparents andweaken with age. Youngpeople 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 sick and 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

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was determined toencourage his faith and still 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 had seen her cold, lifeless bodyand knew she was dead.Underneath their unbeliefwas the assumption thatthere was no possibility ofsomeone being awakenedfrom death’s sleep.

With the distraughtmother and father, Jesus,Peter, James, and Johnwalked into the room where the child’s 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 have been tears and hugsbetween a healthy child and 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 laughed at Him to experience the wonder of seeing the 12-year-old girl full of lifeagain, without being invitedinto the parents’ joy.

In response to Jairus’faith, and in spite of themourners’ disbelief, Jesusshowed power over death.

Other examples in theGospels that show Jesus’power over death are thewidow’s son (Lk. 7:11-15)and Lazarus (Jn. 11:41-44).

Together, Jesus’ miraclesshowed the authority He

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

WHY DID JESUS DO MIRACLES?

IIn Western civilization,the impact of Jesus ofNazareth is difficult

to overstate. Our currentcalendar is divided into BC (Before Christ) and AD(Anno Domini—Latin for “in the year of our Lord”).Kenneth Scott Latourette’scarefully researched study, The History Of TheExpansion Of Christianity,chronicles the amazinginfluence of Christ’s life and 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 thenhaven’t they had the sameimpact 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 FULFILLPROPHECY One of the most importantresults of Jesus’ miracles is that they confirmed theappearance of the long-awaited, supernaturalMessiah.

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

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who would miraculouslydeliver the people of God.

Michael Rydelnik,Professor of Jewish Studiesat Moody Bible Institute, did not grow up believing in Jesus. His parents wereJews who survived the NaziHolocaust. Initially, theyopposed the thought thatIsrael could have missed the coming of their ownMessiah. But whenMichael’s 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 see that 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 sins or to give everlasting life to

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those who trusted Him werebound to create questions.No confession was moreimportant to His Jewishcountrymen 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 saw the 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.” Jesus’response was interesting:

Do you say of Him whom the Fathersanctified and sent into the world, “You areblaspheming,” because Isaid, “I am the Son ofGod”? If I do not do theworks of My Father, donot believe Me; but if I do, though you do notbelieve Me, believe theworks, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him (vv.36-38). In effect, Jesus was

acknowledging that thecrowds would be justified in rejecting His claims if Hecouldn’t back up His wordswith the power of God. Butbecause they were seeingmiracles, He challengedthem to believe their owneyes as a first step in coming to faith in Him.

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

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His Ability ToRescue. If Jesus, theCreator of heaven and earth, came to our rescue(Jn. 1:1-14; Col. 1:13-17), we shouldn’t be surprised to 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 the One 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 event that changed their lives.Three days after Jesus’crucifixion, He rose bodilyfrom the grave. Over thenext 40 days, the NewTestament says that Heappeared many times untileven a doubting Thomas fell down in worship, saying, “My Lord and my God!” (Jn. 20:28).

Only after Jesus’resurrection did the reality of what happened formclearly in the minds of Hisdisciples. It was then thatJesus opened their minds to see how the prophets ofIsrael had anticipated Hissuffering and death to make an atonement for sin (Lk. 24:25-27,44-47).

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

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relationship with Him wasabout to take a differentform. On the night beforeHis betrayal, in a placedescribed as the upperroom, He explained that itwas necessary for Him to goaway to prepare a place forthem. He assured them,however, that He wouldreturn to bring them to HisFather’s house (Jn. 14:1-3).

But in the hours thatfollowed, it seemed asthough Jesus had chosen to leave His disciplesthrough death. Hismiraculous resurrection and appearances over thenext 40 days, however,prepared His followers forHis final departure—adeparture that wouldreassure them of Hispromise to return.

In a final meeting on the Mount of Olives, Jesustold His disciples to wait inJerusalem for the Holy Spirit who would make them witnesses to all the

world of what they hadseen. Then, “While theywatched, He was taken up,and a cloud received Himout of their sight” (Acts 1:9).

The significance of Jesus’ last miracle isimportant. If He had justwalked out of His disciples’lives without returning, theywould have been confusedabout where He had gone.But by allowing them towitness His ascension into a cloud, He confirmed Hispromise to return in likemanner. Luke wrote:

While they lookedsteadfastly toward heavenas He went up, behold,two men stood by them in white apparel, who alsosaid, “Men of Galilee, whydo you stand gazing upinto heaven? This sameJesus, who was taken upfrom you into heaven, will so come in likemanner as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:10-11).

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TO SHOWCOMPASSION Jesus’ miracles did more than authenticate Hisclaims. Those same miraclesalso revealed His heart.Together they showed acompassion that was to be 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 words at the beginning of His 3 years 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 He saw Himself as the Messiahcalled to fulfill Isaiah’sprediction. 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 lost her 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.

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And He presented him to his mother (vv.13-15).This supernatural

intervention into an all-too-common practice of buryingthe dead describes how acold corpse miraculouslybecame a living, breathingperson once again. Not onlywas a mother’s grief turnedto joy but the miracleshocked the crowds andbecame big news around the region.

The literal meaning of the word compassionindicates that Christ’s “heart was moved by” this grieving mother. He told her not to cry. Then He gave her back her son.

Clearly the Messiah cared about the brokenhearted.

Compassion ForOutcasts. In the days of Jesus, leprosy was anuntreatable disease thatravaged bodies and turnedvictims into social outcasts.

By law, those with the

disease had to shout out,“Unclean!” as they enteredthe presence of others.

In the region of Galilee and Samaria, Jesus encountered 10 lepers.Standing at a distance, apartfrom the crowd, they criedout, “Jesus, Master, havemercy on us!” (Lk. 17:13).

Jesus heard theirdesperate calls for help.Luke 17 tells us that Hegave them back their livesthat day by healing them.

The text goes on to make another point,however. Of the 10 leprousmen who were healed, onehad an additional stigma. Hewas a Samaritan. Samaritanswere regarded by the Jewishpeople as racially andspiritually unclean.

Ironically, the Samaritanis the only one of the 10lepers who returned to thankJesus and glorify God. Hehad experienced a miracle of compassion that did morethan heal his body. He had

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

Compassion ForGentiles. As we read the New Testament, we seethat Jesus spent most of His 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 the people of Israel.

His mission, however,also had global implications.From the days of Moses, theprophets of Israel made itclear that their Messiahwould fulfill God’s 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 Teacher’sresponse sounds heartless.To the desperate woman’sappeal, He replied, “It is notgood to take the children’sbread and throw it to thelittle dogs” (v.27).

Referring to Jewishpeople as children andGentiles as dogs seemsanything but compassionate.But it’s important tounderstand that the Greekword used to record whatJesus said does not refer to a wild dog or a dog of the streets. Instead, it’skunarion, a puppy, a small house dog.

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

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reached beyond the bordersof Israel.

A Centurion (Mt. 8:5-13). Hollywood movies likeGladiator, Ben Hur, andSpartacus have graphicallyillustrated the injustice thattook place under the Romanoccupation of the ancientworld. Because first-centuryIsrael lived under the heavyheel of Roman authority, it’sinteresting to see the wayJesus responded to a Romanmilitary officer who came toJesus on behalf of his ailingservant.

When Jesus offered to go to the man’s home, the centurion indicated thathe was not worthy of such avisit. Instead, being a manwho understood authority,he asked Jesus merely to saythe word and his servantwould be healed. The text indicates that Jesusmarveled at the centurion’sfaith and healed his servant.

Once again we see Jesus’compassion reach out across

racial lines even to theofficer of an occupationarmy. In the process, Hebridged normal humanboundaries and showed the love of God for all.

Many of the religiousleaders of Israel, however,did not warm to Jesus’miracles or to Hiscompassion.

WHY DID JESUS’MIRACLESCREATECONTROVERSY?

TToday the dividing line between those who believe in biblical

miracles and those whodon’t is often the same linethat divides religious fromsecular thinking. But inJesus’ day the controversysurrounding His miracleswas primarily among thosewho regarded themselves as people of faith.

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THE RELIGIOUSLEGALISTS’OBJECTION Many religious leaders ofJesus’ 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 Israel’s religion.

John’s 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 the spiritually blind Phariseescould not see beyond theirown traditions. By focusingon the letter of the lawrather than on its intent,they had missed God’spurpose for the Sabbath and the significance of what 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

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on a Sabbath day. ThePharisees watched to see if Jesus would heal on theirday of rest. He did, and theruler 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 bound—think of it—for 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 didn’tfollow the law as they hadinterpreted it. Their loyalty to a rigid code of conductcaused them to miss God’smost basic life lessons. Thecharitable virtues of Judaism—faith, justice, and mercy—were lost (Mt. 23:23-24). In the process, theymisunderstood a miraclethat brought healing on theSabbath—a day originallyintended to bring renewal to the people of God.

THE RELIGIOUSSKEPTICS’OBJECTION In our own day, it’s not difficult to find some church leaders who denycertain miracles of the Bible.Interestingly, in first-centuryIsrael, a group of religiousleaders called the Sadducees were known for their rejection of

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miracles. These Sadduceesrepresented an aristocraticpriestly class who, whileputting emphasis on moraland religious law, did notbelieve in the resurrection of the dead nor in theexistence of angels. Theirselective interpretation ofthe Hebrew Scriptures got them into ongoingarguments with thePharisees (Acts 23:8).

In Matthew 22:23-33, we see how the Sadducees’skepticism put them at oddswith Jesus. In an attempt to question a futureresurrection, they confrontedHim with a hypotheticalsituation in which a womanwas married and widowedseven times before sheherself died. The Sadducees’example was based on aMosaic law indicating theresponsibility of a man tomarry his deceased brother’swife 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). TheSadducees 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, but are 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

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in which the Sadduceesdenied the resurrection.

Jesus’ words silenced the Sadducees (v.34). Butover time, the skepticalSadducees would have toconfront more than Jesus’explanation.

In John 11:1-44 we readabout a man named Lazaruswho had fallen ill. BecauseJesus was a special friend of the family, Lazarus’ sisters sent for Jesus tocome, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick” (v.3).

What happened next was surprising:

Now Jesus loved Marthaand her sister andLazarus. So, when Heheard that he was sick, He stayed two more daysin the place where He was (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 whocouldn’t understand whyJesus didn’t 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

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and foot with graveclothes,and his face was wrappedwith a cloth. Jesus said tothem, “Loose him, and lethim go.” Then many of the Jews who had come to 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 be the source of resurrectionlife and showed their denial of resurrection to be baseless.

THE SCIENTISTS’OBJECTION Pioneers of the scientificmethod began their work in Athens over 500 yearsbefore the birth of Christ.Aristotle was the greatfounder of systematic study in biology, botany,astronomy, and many otherdisciplines. He was alsotutor to Alexander the

Great, who Hellenized much of the Western worldduring his conquests. Theimpact of Greek culture andintellectual pursuits hadspread throughout theRoman Empire by the time of Jesus.

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

In John 12, we learn thateyewitnesses of Lazarus’resurrection were spreadingthe word. It’s 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

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the dead, bore witness. Forthis reason the people alsomet Him, because theyheard that He had donethis sign. The Phariseestherefore said amongthemselves, “You see thatyou are accomplishingnothing. Look, the worldhas gone after Him!” Nowthere were certain Greeksamong those who cameup to worship at the feast.Then they came to Philip,who was from Bethsaidaof Galilee, and asked him,saying, “Sir, we wish tosee Jesus” (vv.17-21). Even though we are

not told the motivation ofthese Greeks, it’s likely thatthey had heard about theresurrection of Lazarus.Talking to Jesus would allow them to interview the person who wasrumored to have actuallyraised the dead back to life.

If nothing else, they are a picture of good sciencepursuing the evidence of

Lazarus’ resurrection. Although they are a

minority, many scientists of our own day have shown the same opennessexhibited by these ancientGreeks. They are willing toexamine the evidence forJesus’ miracles and follow itwherever it leads (see TheNew Testament Documents—Are They Reliable? by F. F. Bruce and TheSupernaturalness Of Christby Wilbur M. Smith).

THE OCCULTISTS’OBJECTION Today a growing number ofpeople are concluding thatthere are dimensions of thereal world that cannot betested by scientific methods.

Many who embrace New Age thinking believe we are all gods withuntapped powers of themind. Some in this groupsee Jesus as an example ofwhat any “enlightened”person can do.

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They are also likely tothink it is possible to makecontact with spirit entitiesand those who have passedfrom this life.

While the Bibleacknowledges 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, blind and mute” (v.22). Jesusrecognized the man’sproblem 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 David’sdescendant, the promisedMessiah of 2 Samuel 7:12-16, who has come to ruleover us and bring healing to our nation?”

The Pharisees attemptedto counter the public interest in Jesus by saying,“This fellow does not castout demons except byBeelzebub, the ruler of the 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 demon if He were in league with the devil (vv.26-27). Hisreasoning was difficult tochallenge. But His wisdomand power were even morecompelling. Christ’s ministrywas characterized by servingothers, exposing falsehood,giving hope to the weak,standing for truth despiteconsequences, andsacrificing Himself so

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that others might live.Indeed, it was the characterof Christ that furtherexposed the false accusationthat He was doing miraclesby the power of Satan.

ARE JESUS’MIRACLES STILLIMPORTANT?

TThe question issignificant. What doyou say to someone

who says, “I don’t doubtthat Jesus did miracles. Ijust don’t think it matters.Even if Jesus did heal thesick and raise the dead, so what? What difference does that make today?”

The person who asks, “So what?” needs to answer a different question:“Are you looking for realanswers, or are you asking‘So what?’ only to putdistance between yourselfand the claims of Christ?”

If the reports of Jesus’miracles are only tradition

and myth, their significance is easilydismissed. But the writers of the New Testament were convinced that Hismiracles had a time, aplace, credible witnesses,and most important, a role in fulfilling the Jewish prophecies.

If the Gospel writers are 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 heart is more likely to resonatewith the Bible passages that tell us we have all beenborn spiritually blind anddiseased with a fallenhuman nature inheritedfrom Adam.

If you see your own 30



experience as consistentwith what the Bible saysabout human nature, thenyou may be ready to seethat 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 is the 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 God’sintent for His work of re-creating our world:“Behold, I make all thingsnew” (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 farmer’s crops areready for harvest, the firstportions he gathers arecalled the firstfruits of whatGod has given him. The

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By the greatmiracle of Jesus’resurrection, Hebecame the first of many who willbe raised from

the dead in the last day.



New Testament says thatwhen Jesus rose from thedead He became “thefirstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor.15:20). By the great miracle of Jesus’ resurrection, Hebecame the first of manywho will be raised from the dead in the last day.

But this promise of everlasting life in thepresence of God requires a positive response fromyour heart. You can acceptor reject God’s payment for your sin.

The significance of this decision is beyondmeasure. How each of us responds to Christ’spayment for the debt of our sin will determinewhere we will spend thefuture—in God’s presence,or separated from Him foreternity (Rev. 20:11-15).

If you have not yetreceived Christ’s 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 in Him 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 God’s judgmentto being adopted as one ofHis own children (Rom.8:15-17).

For further help on how to grow as a Christian, see the booklet How Do You Live The Christian Life? (Q0702)www.rbc.org/bible_study/discovery_series/booklet/31030.aspx

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