Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Miracles of Jesus

Content:

  • Miracle
  • Healing
    • General
    • Blind People
    • Lepers
    • Paralytics
    • Women
    • Other Healing
  • Resurrections
  • Control over Nature
    • Miracle with Positive Reactions
    • Miracle with Negative Reaction
  • Exorcism
    • Background
    • Examples of Exorcism
  • Why Miracles

Miracle


Jesus' miracles were supernatural acts. The majority were healing, resurrections, nature control, and exorcism. They are prophesied in the
Old Testament, see Messiah's Ministry on Earth in The Prophecies of Isaiah.
They are described in The Four Gospels and are actual historical events. See time 6:02–7:20 in Matthew 9: The Opposition Begins, the Ministry Continues.

See also the article: Since sickness is a result of sin, did Jesus ever get sick?

Healing


Healing the sick was one of the dominant factors in Jesus' ministry (Mat 4:23).
Jesus healed all kinds of diseases and afflictions (Mat 9:35).  

General


Many people at that time believed that their diseases were punishments from God because of their sins. It was therefore difficult for many of them to accept
a suffering Messiah. Even Jesus' disciples believed that this might be the case. Jesus denied it (John 9:2–3), see Blind People below. Job's three friends made the same mistake. They pointed to Job's circumstances as an expression of God's disfavor and punishment. They falsely told Job that he had messed up and sinned and therefore had to suffer, see The Book of Job. Even the religious leaders despised these people because they considered them under God's curse, see Jesus Denouncement of the Jewish Religious Leaders.

There are people even in our time who believe that people's tragic and painful situations are due to some specific act of sin in their lives or in the lives of their relatives. Even many Christians believe that the difficulties they experience are punishments from God. That it's God's wrath that causes them to suffer. It's not biblical, and according to Jesus, completely wrong. Jesus was punished for our sins. When Jesus said on the cross: "It is finished" (John 19:30, Mark 15:37), he had paid the price for our sins, see The Crucifixion of Jesus. 

That's not why we sometimes suffer. The reason may be to train us and to give us discipline, see the first part of The Book of James. God disciplines those he loves (Heb 12:6a). The purpose is to shape us to become more like Jesus Christ through these difficulties. Another reason is that we live in a fallen world,
see The Biblical Creation and the Fall of Man.

See also these animated videos:


Blind People


 Jesus heals a blind man from Bethsaida. Jesus takes the man by the hand
and leads him out of the city, puts some spit on his eyes and lays his hands
on him. Since the man doesn't see perfectly afterwards, Jesus repeats the procedure, resulting in clear and perfect eyesight. (Mark 8:22–26). See the repetition explained at time 14:54–17:58 (YouTube)
in Mark 8:11-33 – Coming to See.

Jesus heals two blind men near Jericho. Jesus touches their eyes and immediately they can see. One of them is the blind beggar Bartimaeus.
He is one of the few recipients of healing whose name is mentioned. 
A reason could be that he was definitely saved and served the Christian Church
during his lifetime. Jesus tells him that his faith had healed him.
He then immediately regains his sight and follows Jesus. 
(Mat 20:29–34, Mark 10:46–52, Luke 18:35–43). 
See also the two Jericho explained at time 21:36–22:44 in Math And The Bible.

 Jesus heals two blind men when Jesus preaches in Galilee. 
At this point, Jesus asks the blind men if they believe that he can heal them. When they assure Jesus they do, he commends their faith and touches
their eyes and restores their sight. (Mat 9:27–31). 

 Jesus heals a man blind from birth. Jesus mixes spit with dirt to make a mud mixture, which he then puts on the man's eyes. He instructs the man to wash his eyes in the pool of Siloam. When the man does this, he can see. See:
When Jesus is asked by his disciples whether the cause of the blindness is the sin of the man's father or mother, Jesus states that it's neither. The reason was that God's work would be shown on him. (John 9:1–11). See:
The Pharisees didn't understand this. They just criticized Jesus
for doing this on a Sabbath (John 9:12–41), 
see the 4th commandment in The Ten Commandments.

The man's blindness was permitted by God so that the works of God would be displayed in him (John 9:3). This man is a picture for all of us, see Laodicea in The Seven Churches in the Book of Revelation. It shows how God works in people who come to him, how he brings their lives from blindness to a place of spiritual sight (Col 1:13–14), see Typology and The Book of Colossians. Jesus said: "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind" (John 9:39–41):
  1. We are all born spiritually blind and can't "see" (Psalm 51:5 
    (7 in some translations), John 3:19, 9:39–41, Mat 6:22–23),
    see The Fall of Man in     The Biblical Creation and the Fall of Man.
  2. It's possible for someone who is spiritually blind
    to turn to the     Lord and have that blindness removed.
    "    When one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed." (2 Cor 3:16).
  3. Jesus is the one who opens blind eyes (Psalm 146:8a).
    He gives us spiritual light and sight (John 8:12, 9:4–5), see     Salvation.
  4. We must respond by faith (John 9:6–7). 
    Salvation is a free gift (Eph 2:8–9), but we must respond to it,
    we must receive Jesus in our heart (John 1:12).
  5. We are made a new creation (2 Cor 5:17, John 9:8–9).
    But because of our old nature, we sometimes mess things up
    and make mistakes     (1 John 8, 10, Rom 7:15–20), see     The Book of John.
  6. We are given spiritual insight (John 9:25b, 30–33, 2 Cor 4:6, 1 Pet 2:9).
  7. We will be persecuted by those who refuse to believe in Christ
    (John 9:22b, 34, 15:18–20a, 1 Pet 4:12–16, Acts 5:40–41).
    There will be a reward in Heaven for those who suffer for Jesus
    (Mat 5:10–12, 1 Pet 4:13, Rom 8:16–18, Col 1:24).
  8. We understand that Jesus is worthy of our worship (John 9:35–38,
    Col 1:13–14, 1 Pet 2:9), see     How should we worship God?
    in     The Woman's Place in the Congregation.

Lepers


Jesus heals a leper. He reaches out his hand and touches him and says to him: "be clean", see time 24:39–28:40 in Luke 5 (Part 1) • A Lesson, a Leper and Jesus proves He is God. After healing the man, he instructs him to appear before the priest and make an offering of his purification as a proof to them.
(Mark 1:40–44, Mat 8:1–4, Luke 5:12–14, Lev (3 Mos) 14:2f). 

 Jesus heals ten lepers. Jesus sends them directly to the priests. They are healed when they obey Jesus and go. (Luke 17:11–19, Lev (3 Mos) 14:2f). 

Paralytics


Jesus heals a paralyzed man at Capernaum. The paralyzed man is brought
to Jesus on a bed (probably a sleeping mat). Jesus is in a house at the time, and the man has to be lowered through the roof by his friends because
of the crowds blocking the door. Jesus says to him: "Rise, take up your bed
and go home", and the man did so, and he was healed. 
(Mark 2:1–12, Mat 9:1–8, Luke 5:17–26). See also Whose Sin can We Forgive?

Jesus heals a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years at
the Pool of Bethesda. Jesus says to him: "Get up, take your bed and walk". 
The man is instantly healed and able to do so. (John 5:2–9). 
Jesus was then criticized by the Jews for doing this
on the Sabbath (John 5:10–18). 
Jesus' answer was: "My Father is working until now, and I work."

Women


Jesus heals a bleeding woman. Jesus was approached by a woman
who had been bleeding for 12 years. When she touched Jesus' cloak, she was immediately healed. Jesus felt that power had gone out of him and said to her: "Daughter, your faith has made you well, go in peace and be healed of your disease". (Mark 5:25–34, Mat 9:20–22, Luke 8:43–48).

Jesus heals the mother of Peter's wife when he visits Peter's and Andrew's house in Capernaum. He stood over her and rebuked the fever,
took her by the hand and lifted her up. The fewer left her and she was healed. 
(Mark 1:29–31, Mat 8:14–15, Luke 4:38–39).

Other Healing


Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on a Sabbath. Jesus first asks the scribes and Pharisees: "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?" Jesus then answers his own question: "Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." Jesus then says to the man: "Stretch out your hand." And the man stretches it out, and it's restored, healthy like the other. 
(Mark 3:1–6, Mat 12:9–14, Luke 6:6–11).

Jesus heals a man with dropsy on a Sabbath. Jesus first asks the lawyers and Pharisees: "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?" Jesus then takes hold of the man, heals him, sends him on his way, and says: "If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?" (Luke 14:1–6).

Showing mercy triumphs over following rules and regulations 
(Mat 9:13, 12:3–8).

Jesus heals a man who is deaf and has a speech impediment. 
Jesus first touched the man's ears and touched his tongue after spitting,
and then said: "Be opened". (Mark 7:31–35).

Jesus heals the High Priest's servant Malchus, in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:47, Mat 26:51–54, Luke 22:50–51, John 18:10–11).

Jesus heals a Centurion's servant in Capernaum. Jesus said to the man:
"Go; let it be done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed
at that very moment. (Mat 8:5–13, Luke 7:1–10).
See this miracle further described in Faith, Hope, and Agape Love. 

Jesus heals the son of a nobleman in Cana of Galilee. Jesus said to him: "Go; your son will live." The man believed the Word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. When he went down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. When he asked them the hour when he began to get better, they told him that it was at the hour when Jesus had said to him: "Your son will live." And he himself believed, and all his household. (John 4:46–54).

Jesus heals in the land of Gennesaret. All who touched his garment were healed. (Mark 6:53–56, Mat 14:34–36).

Jesus heals lame, blind, crippled, mute, and many others (Mat 15:30–31).

Resurrections


Jesus resurrects the only daughter of Jairus who was twelve years old.
He took her by the hand and told  her: "Little girl, I say to you arise".
The girl immediately got up and started walking. 
(Mark 5:22–24, 35–42, Mat 9:18–19, 23–25, Luke 8:41–42, 49–55).

Jesus resurrects the only son of the widow of Nain. He said to the young man: "Young man, I say to you, arise".
And the dead man sat up and began to speak. (Luke 7:11–15).

Jesus resurrects Lazarus of Bethany four days after his burial. He cries out with a loud voice: "Lazarus, come out". Lazarus comes out with his hands and feet bound with linen strips and his face wrapped with a close. Jesus says to them: "Unbind him, and let him go". (John 11:17–44).
For detailed information, see The Death of Lazarus.

Control over Nature


Miracle with Positive Reactions


Jesus turns water into wine at a wedding. When the host runs out of wine, Jesus tells the host's servants to fill six vessels with water. A sample is then taken out and taken to the master of the banquet, who pronounces the contents of the vessels to be the best wine of the banquet. (John 2:1–10). This was the first of his signs (John 2:11a). It strengthened the faith of his disciples (John 2:11b).

A miraculous catch of fish takes place early in Jesus' ministry, see
Jesus Calling of His Twelve Apostles. It results in Peter, Andrew, John,
and James join Jesus as his disciples. (Luke 5:4–11).

Jesus calms a storm. The disciples wake Jesus during a storm. He rebukes the wind and says to the sea: "Peace! Be still!", and the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Jesus then rebukes the disciples for their lack of faith.
(Mark 4:35–41, Mat 8:23–27, Luke 8:22–25).

Jesus feeding the multitude. Jesus uses just a few bread and a few fish
to feed thousands of men, along with an unspecified number
of women and children. There are several baskets of leftovers afterwards:  
  1. 5000 men, besides women and children, are fed with five loaves
    and two fish (Mark 6:35    –44, Mat 14:15–21, Luke 9:12–17, John 6:5–13). 
  2. 4000 men, besides women and children, are fed with seven loaves
    and some small fish (Mark 8:4    –9, Mat 15:33–38).
Jesus walks on water, see Jesus Walks on Water. 
(Mark 6:47–52, Mat 14:24–33, John 6:16–21).

Finding a four-drachma coin in a fish mouth to be able to pay the two-drachma temple tax for him and for Peter (Mat 17:24–27). Jesus could have said that he didn't have to pay this tax because it's not mentioned in the Mosaic Laws, it was a made-man rule, and also because he is the Son of God (Mat 17:25b–26). The reason he still did it was so as not to cause offense that might prevent them from believing in him and being saved (Mat 17:27a), see Disputable Matters
in The Book of Romans. As Christians we should pay our taxes (Rom 13:6–7), see This World is Not Our Home in The Book of Romans.

The catch of 153 fish (John 21:4–13), see The Resurrection of Jesus.

Miracle with Negative Reaction


Jesus cursed a fig tree because it had no fruit, and it immediately withered
(Mark 11:12–14, 20–21, Mat 21:18–19). This is the only miracle that Jesus did that had a negative reaction. One message with this event is to be aware of false prophets, see Beware of false prophets in The Sermon on the Mount.
By the fruits of their lives we will recognize them (Mat 7:15–16). To be able
to do that, we need to be a fruit inspector. Another message is that he wants
to see good fruit in our lives, see Sanctification. 

The fig tree is also a picture of the nation of Israel, see
Jesus Curses the Fig Tree in Jesus' Last Days before his Crucifixion.

Exorcism

Background


Demons (also called evil spirits) are actually fallen angels. They are spiritual beings created by God. Satan rebelled in the beginning and then influenced
a third of the angels in Heaven to follow him (Rev 12:4). Having lost their ability to transform into a human body on Earth, they need a host body to live out their sin nature, see time 6:08–8:56 in Bible Q&A • Episode 25.

Demon possession means that one or more demons have direct/complete control over a person's thoughts and/or actions. Demonization is virtually identical to the description of demon possession. However, to enter someone requires some kind of open door or invitation. Demons do not have the freedom to just possess a person whenever they want to. Judas’ heart wasn't right with God, he was a thief, he criticized people who showed their love for Jesus. He chose that path, see Why Judas betrayed Jesus. By choosing that path, he opened himself up to Satan’s possession, to be controlled by him (Luke 22:3, John 13:27a, 30). Judas didn't have to be the betrayer. He chose that path.

Born again believers in Christ can't be possessed by demons or be demonized, because they already have the Holy Spirit and then there is no room for demons (1 John 5:18b, Mat 12:43–45). There is no example in the Bible of a Christian believer being possessed by a demon. Demon oppression or influence means that a demon or demons attack a person spiritually and/or encourage him/her to sinful behavior. Christians can be oppressed or influenced by demons, but then we must resist them (James 4:7, 1 Pet 5:8–9, Eph 6:12). The answer to a Christian believer struggling with sin is repentance and resistance (James 4:7). See more about this in these videos: 
It's extremely important that we don't allow personal experience to influence our interpretation of Scripture. Rather, we must filter our personal experiences through the truth of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Seeing someone we thought was a Christian exhibiting the behavior of being demonized should make us question the authenticity of his/her faith, see the video:
It shouldn't make us to alter our view of whether a Christian can be demon possessed/demonized. It may be the case that the person is really a Christian but is severely demon-oppressed and/or suffers from severe psychological problems. But again, our experiences must pass the test of Scripture.

See what's behind pagan gods in the video:
See if evil strongholds can exist in the video:
See about "binding the strong man" (Mat 12:29, Mark 3:27, Luke 11:22):
See why there were so many demon possessions in Israel at the time of Jesus:
There are basically three main reasons why we see less demon possession
in the western world today, compared to Israel at the time of Jesus:
  1. There are more demon possessions in the western world than we think.
  2. It makes a difference that the western world has been influenced
    by the Gospel for so many hundreds of years.
  3. It's part of Satan's strategy to keep himself and demons more invisible
    to prevent people from believing in spirit beings, and by doing so
    prevent people from coming to faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Examples of Exorcism


Jesus casts out an evil spirit in the synagogue in Capernaum. It cries out,
"What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?
I know who you are—the Holy One of God!" Jesus says sternly to the
evil spirit: "Be quiet! Come out of him!" The evil spirit shook the man violently and comes out of him with a shriek. (Mark 1:23–26, Luke 4:33–35).

 Jesus casts demons out of two men at the country of the Gerasenes. 
When Jesus asks the demon's name, he receives the answer Legion, because they were many demons. The demons ask to be cast out into
a nearby group of pigs instead of being sent out of the area and not to be sent
to the Abyss (Luke 8:31) (also called Tartarus (2 Pet 2:4 (YLT), Jude 1:6).
Jesus obliges, but the pigs then run into the lake and drown. 
(Mark 5:1–13, Mat 8:28–32, Luke 8:26–33). See the Abyss described 
at time 26:50–30:17 in the video Jude • A warning for the Body of Christ.

 Jesus exorcises a woman's daughter while travelling in the region of Tyre
and Sidon, because of the woman's faith. A Gentile woman asks Jesus to heal her daughter, but Jesus refuses, saying that he has only been sent to
"the lost sheep of the house of Israel". The woman persists and says that
"dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table". Jesus answers:
"For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter." 
(Mark 7:24–30, Mat 15:21–28).

There was a woman who had been crippled by a spirit for 18 years. She was bent over and couldn't straighten up at all. When Jesus sees her, he calls out to her and says to her: "Woman, you are freed from your disability." And he lays his hands on her, and immediately she became straight, and she glorifies God.
Jesus was then criticized by the ruler of the synagogue for doing this on the Sabbath. Then Jesus answered him: "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for 18 years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?" (Luke 13:10–17).

 Jesus exorcises a blind and mute man (Mat 12:22, Luke 11:14). 

 Jesus exorcises a boy possessed by a demon. A boy is said to have foamed
at the mouth, gnashed his teeth, became rigid, and had involuntarily fallen
into both water and fire. Jesus' followers couldn't cast out the demon,
and Jesus condemns the people as unbelieving. When the boy's father questions whether Jesus could heal the boy, Jesus replies "everything is possible
for those who believe". The father says he believes. Jesus then rebukes
the unclean spirit, saying to it: "You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." The spirit comes out.
Jesus then takes the boy's hand and lifts him up, and the boy is healed. 
(Mark 9:17–29, Mat 17:14–21, Luke 9:37–43). See this explained at time 
1:50–21:39 (YouTube) in the video Mark 9:14-37 – Who is the Greatest?

 Jesus casts out many demons in the evening after he had healed 
the mother of Peter's wife (Mark 1:32–34, Mat 8:16–17, Luke 4:40–41). 

 Jesus exorcises a mute man immediately after healing two blind men
(Mat 9:32–33). A man possessed by demons and unable to speak is
brought to Jesus, who casts out the demon, and the man is able to speak. 

 Jesus casts seven devils out of Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9, Luke 8:2). 

 Jesus continues to cast out devils even though Herod Antipas wants to kill him (Luke 13:31–32).

Why Miracles

Jesus performed all these miracles in just 3.5 years.
There are several reasons why he performed them:
  • God the Father sent Jesus into the world so that we would be saved through him (John 3:17). Jesus is Messiah, the Son of God.
    Jesus voluntarily gave his life on the cross as payment for our sin. When     John the Baptist asked Jesus if he was the one who would come, that is Messiah, Jesus answered by referring to his miracles (Mat 11:2–6, Luke 7:18–23). The main reason for the miracles is
    to confirm who he is (John 10:24–25, Acts 2:22), to make us to believe in him, see time 6:57–9:06 (YouTube) in the video 
    John 10:22-42 – Opposed by Stoning. The Pharisee     Nicodemus,
    a ruler of the Jews, understood that Jesus was from God because
    of his miracles (John 3:1–2). It was a sign ministry, he is Messiah,
    the Son of God, Salvation comes through him (John 20:30–31).
    The Atonement explains why Jesus had to die physically on a cross.
  • The supernatural power that flowed out of Jesus gave evidence
    that he was Israel's prophesied Messiah prophesied by
    the prophet     Isaiah     (Isaiah 35:5–6, 42:6–7, 53:4, Mat 8:16–17),
    see     Prophecies that Jesus Fulfilled.
  • Jesus did his Father's will (John 5:19–21). God the Father wanted Jesus to perform these miracles, even on the Sabbath. But Jesus
    also said that he is in the Father and that the Father is in him, and
    if you have seen Jesus, you have seen the Father (John 14:9–11).
    This means that     Jesus also wanted to perform these miracles.
  • Jesus had compassion and empathy with the people in his presence, with the pain and and suffering they were going through
    (Mat 14:14). This wasn't the case for the Pharisees who refused
    to believe that Jesus was anything but a sinner because he violated     their interpretation of what it means to keep the Sabbath. And as
    a Sabbath breaker he was a sinner to them.     Jesus healed people on the Sabbath, see     To Heal on The Sabbath.
  • The miracles that Jesus performed weren't a sideshow or entertainment, they demonstrate the grace and mercy of God.
  • When Jesus healed unclean people (see Lepers above), he showed that the things that made them unclean and unacceptable
    under the Law, those were the things that he came to change,
     things that the     Law couldn't accomplish, see     Jesus and the Law.
    Jesus offered mercy, acceptance, and grace that triumphs over following rules and regulations even in the Law (Mat 12:3–8).
    Examples where mercy triumphs over following rules and regulations are shown at the end of     The Book of Ruth.
  • Jesus said that as believers we can perform the same kind
    of miracles (see     Peter Heals a Lame Beggar) and even greater ones (John 14:12    –14). It probably means more in magnitude.
    Personally, I think this is something to see more of in the end time, see     The Two Witnesses. 

Even though Jesus performed all these miracles, they didn't believe in him, see time 32:17–38:00 in John 12 (Part 3) 27-43 • "I will draw all People to Myself".

We aren't promised physical healing in this life, although we should pray for it. God wants us to love him, even if we aren't physical healed in this life.
He looks at our hearts. We need to be aware of deceivers and false healing.
Miracles need to be well documented before they are announced publicly.
See False Teaching about Healing in Word of Faith Movement in the U.S. 

See also a miraculous healing in Peter Heals a Lame Beggar and 
Ask, and it will be given to you in The Sermon on the Mount.

See also Some stories in the gospels at the bottom of The Four Gospels.

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