It's all about Jesus: His Miracles (Pt.2)

(Part 2)

“A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.”-Mark 2:1-2

As we study the miracles of Jesus, we find that another reason he performed signs and wonders was to draw people near to hear the life-giving message. Miracles were not some marketing ploy designed to draw people out in large numbers; Jesus was just as willing to heal one man privately as he was the masses. This is because he was moved by compassion to help those who were lost, sick, and hurting. Matthew 14:14 declares:

“When Jesus landed and saw the large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”

These miraculous works, however, had to take a back seat the gospel message of repentance and forgiveness of sins. In Mark 2 as Jesus was preaching some men came to him carrying a paralyzed man. Unable to reach him, because of the sheer number of people crowded around him, they made an opening in the roof and lowered the man down. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralyzed man: “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

This began a stirring among the teachers of the law seated around Jesus. They murmured against and mocked the idea that Jesus could forgive sins. Jesus sensing their disdain asked:

“Which is easier; to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…” He said to the paralytic, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”-Mark 2:9-11.

Ultimately we learn from this passage that Jesus’ miracles confirmed his ability to forgive sins; which is at the heart of the gospel message.

Finally, miracles were also designed to bolster the believer’s faith:

“One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake,” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”-Luke 8:22-25.

Romans 10:17 assures us that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. So then, miracles do not produce faith.  However, miracles can certainly bring lift to our faith; especially in times of adversity. They remind us that our God is not confined to our finite understanding or the laws of nature. They embolden us when we feel we have reached the end of ourselves and can’t go on. They renew our passions when our drive and pursuit of God has grown cold. They cry out that there is more of God to be experienced and seen.

Jesus was and always will be in the miracle working business as long as there are lost, sick, and hurting people that need to hear the gospel message.

Pastor Scott Burr

Dayspring Community Church