miracle p1

• We can truly speak of Jesus' miracles of goodness.
• Miracles


  Events that contradict the laws of nature and that cannot be explained by science or reason
• The greatest miracle in the Bible was the crossing of the Red Sea. But every drowning of the Egyptian army can be explained by natural elements.
• Miracle (in the Bible)


  An unusual event which is understood as one of Gods' mighty works
• The Bible does not know the laws of nature. Thus, whatever happens in the world, ordinary or extra-ordinary, is interpreted as part of God' providence.
• Miracles or wonders are called such because of their ability to astonish and surprise man, their ability to make man marvel and wonder.
• Creation is a miracle, grace is a miracle, the growth of an enormous mustard tree from a tiny seed is a miracle, the liberation of the Israelites from Egypt was a miracle, the kingdom of God will be a miracle. The world is full of miracles for those who have eyes to see them.
• Jesus does not want people to talk much about the miracles he performed.
• The Pharisees were constantly pressing Jesus to perform a miracle as a sign or proof of his mission. But Jesus refused to perform any miracles for them.
• Jesus' motive for performing miracles


  His great compassion for the people. His only desire was to liberate people from their suffering.
• Jesus would often attribute the miracle to the faith of the one to whom it had happened.
• Faith was the power by which Jesus performed miracles. But this power was not given to him alone.
• Miracle


  An act of God which in its power and unusualness makes us wonder and marvel
• Miracles Jesus performed were signs that God was at work through him. The faith that Jesus passed on to the people became a liberating power for them.
• Sickness was seen as a consequence of sin, healing, too, came to be considered as a consequence of forgiveness.
• The power to forgive sin is the power of faith in God.
• Common diseases


  Very many of the poor seemed to have been mentally sick. Mental illness could cause some physical or bodily disabilities, such as paralysis and speech impediments.
• Disfunctional


  Abnormal, impaired, or incomplete functioning of the body or a part of it
• Psychosomatic


  A physical disorder of the body originating in or aggravated by mental or emotional conditions
• The Jewish understanding of illness and its causes was not as advanced as our knowledge today. Most disease were said to be caused by an evil spirit.
• Cases of illness described in the gospels

  • The possessed boy
  • The demoniac
  • The feeble woman
• In ancient times leprosy was a general term covering all skin-diseases including sores and rashes. A leper was not possessed by an unclean spirit; nevertheless his bodily uncleanness was also thought to the result of sin.
• Forgiveness and Healing

  It is a fact that some bodily disabilities are caused by mental or emotional conditions. A man can be paralyzed with fear or crippled with guilt. A true cure for any kind of sickness is the removal of the cause. Removing that guilt, that is, forgiveness, could cure a man paralyzed because of guilt.
• Possessed with a spirit


  Drained her strength
• Bound by Satan


  She was badly stooped, quite incapable of standing erect
• Today we would say she suffered a dysfunction most likely caused by some mental or emotional condition
• Leper


  A man who had any kind of disease which made him outwardly unclean
• In ancient times leprosy was a general term covering all skin-diseases including sores and rashes
• A leper was not possessed by an unclean spirit; nevertheless his bodily uncleanness was also thought to be the result of sin
• Forgiveness and healing


  A true cure for any kind of sickness is the removal of the cause
• Removing guilt, that is, forgiveness, could cure a man paralyzed because of guilt
• The story of the paralytic at Capernaum


  1. Jesus was preaching

  2. Men carried a paralytic on a stretcher and lowered him through the roof

  3. Jesus said "Your sins are forgiven"

  4. Jesus said "Stand up, pick up your mat and go home"

  5. The paralytic walked home
• Miracle of healing


  • An unusual event which makes us marvel and wonder
  • The people were awestruck and all gave praise to God, saying "We have never seen anything like this"
• The paralytic suffered from the dysfunctional effect of paralysis due to severe guilt feelings
• The moment his sins were forgiven, his guilt feelings disappeared and so did his paralysis
• The man was cured in body and soul, as a total person
• Faith and healing


  The power by which miracles happened
• Without faith no miracle could be performed
• The story of Jesus at Nazareth


  1. People in Jesus' hometown were amazed

  2. Jesus did not work many miracles there because of their lack of faith
• Miracles


  Unusual acts of God on behalf of man