The purpose is firstly, to learn about the miracles and secondly, to discover what they mean to us today.
The plan is to spend a few weeks in the miracles, shift to the parables, and finish up with the miracles.
When I first began preparing my study of the miracles, I figured I had three different ways to present them:
By the types of miracles
Chronologically how they appeared in scripture
By the gospel they are told
After digging a bit, I decided on chronologically.
There are several things I’d like to unwrap during this study series:
We are examining these miracles chronologically with the intent of:
Looking at the types of miracles
Who was present
Purpose of the miracles
Which gospels recorded unique miracles
Which gospel had the most miracles
Which had the fewest
Which gospel had most of each type of miracle
Let’s get started shall we?
Body
The first mention of the word miracle is found in:
Exodus 7:9 ““When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Show a miracle for yourselves,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your rod and cast it before Pharaoh, and let it become a serpent.’ ””
The first miracle we see is found in:
John 2:1-11 stand with me as we honor God while reading His word.
This is the 1st of 7 “signs” as John records them. (repeat address)
This miracle is found only in John’s gospel.
Read from my bible.
Before we go any further, I’d like to read the last two verses of John chapter 1.
John 1:50–51 “Jesus answered and said to him (Nathaniel), “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.””
>>>ask someone what their bible says<<<
Verse 51 is a reference to:
Genesis 28:12 “Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.”
Then John 1:50 “Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.””
Doesn’t take long for Nathaniel to see greater things, as we see in 2nd chapter of John, Jesus keeps His promise, as He always does.
Some of your bibles may read “on the next day”. Please don’t get hung up on that. There is an explanation, and without getting bogged in the quagmire, “on the 3rd day” is a reference to the last day mentioned. Believe me, it is confusing when you dig into to it!
On the 3rd day, does have a familiar ring to it, doesn’t it?
I also want to give you the heads up that I won’t be going in the usual verse by verse passage when I break down these passages. I will hit the highlights and not cover every verse.
So, my thoughts may seem a bit random, but hopefully, they will tie into one another in a sensible manner.
John 2:2 “Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.”
John 2:3 “And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.””
There is a strong possibility that Mary (which John’s gospel does not say by name), was somehow related to the family holding the wedding.
That’s the quick set-up.
So much in these 11 verses, but I’m trimming it down to just a few remarks.
Let’s begin with this thought:
Jesus came down from heaven to save mankind, yet:
He had time to attend a wedding and join in the festivities.
Traditionally, these weddings were about a week long!
Please don’t be offended, but after about 4 hours of wedding and reception, I am tapped out.
But the reality is, we need to be like Jesus, and take advantage of every opportunity to spread the Good News!
John 2:4–5 “Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.””
When I look @ verses 4 and 5, it is perplexing, but I boiled it down to this:
Perhaps Mary’s relationship to Jesus was secure enough to let Jesus take care of it.
Is that us? Is our relationship with Jesus such that we trust Him to take care of our every situation, or do we have our own expectation of how it show go?
Mary didn’t tell Jesus to handle it, or even how to handle it.
John 2:3 “And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.””
She simply informed Him of the situation.
John 2:11 “This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.”
Jesus indeed kept His promise to Nathaniel!
As we examine these miracles, let’s keep them in the context in which they are intended.
They are not merely superhuman events or feats, but events that demonstrate God’s power over EVERYTHING.
All the miracles or “signs” as related by John, testify to the deity of Christ.
Still in verse 11:
John 2:11 “This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.”
That word glory used here means “splendor, radiance, and majesty centered in Christ.
This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, manifested the splendor, radiance and majesty, centered in Christ.
Pertaining to the wine, think about this:
When we run “short” of anything in our lives, this oftentimes allows Jesus to prove He will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory!
This first miracle of Jesus, set in place a recurring pattern:
A need arises
The miracle addresses the need
Resulting in a response to the miracle
Although this is a public miracle, few were even aware that it took place.
In fact, only a few could even appreciate what took place.
Maybe this quiet miracle was intended especially for the disciples.
John 2:11 “This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.”
Have you ever had a quiet miracle in your life, that few knew of and could appreciate? I have.
Symbolically, this first sign, introduced Jesus as the new and better wine!
Turn with me to:
John 4:43-54, this is the 2nd miracle recorded in the gospels, and again found solely in John’s gospel.
In verse 46, we see they circle back to Cana, after a successful ministry trip among the Samaritans, but He is not received in His hometown of Nazareth.
This nobleman was probably in Herod’s government.
He traveled from Capernaum to Cana. About 20 miles. By horse, in light traffic, around a 5 hour ride.
In v48 Jesus questions the nobleman’s faith:
John 4:48 “Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.””
Very direct here, almost agitated.
Ask others what does their bible say. Anyone have the NIV?
NIV- unless you see signs and wonders, Jesus told him, you will never believe.
Again, we see a need arise, this time it is a healing need. Jesus addresses the need differently this time. In the first miracle, Jesus addresses the need and I paraphrase “Woman, my hour has not yet come”!
Here, He responds “unless you people see signs and wonders, you don’t believe”.
In the first miracle, Jesus was very “hands on” so to speak.
In this second miracle, He is 20 miles away, yet heals the nobleman’s son.
Even when Jesus seems “distant” to us, He is willing to address our needs.
When we examine the nobleman’s faith a little closer, we see it grow in stages.
His faith or hope, @ this point is sparked by reports he hears of the first miracle in Cana. Up until know, his only concern appears to be the healing of his son.
But, his faith is strong enough to take the 20 mile journey to see Jesus.
We see his perception of Jesus’ ability is limited to heal only by being physically present.
Jesus proves He doesn’t have to be physically there to heal.
He is not physically with us today, but have you or a loved one experienced His healing power?
The final stage of his faith, after the son is healed. He rejoices and the entire household believes!
Again, we are told of a miracle, but only a few are there to witness it. Not even the father who made the plea to Jesus, actually saw the miracle take place. He just saw the outcome of the miracle!
John 4:50 “Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.”
Jesus spoke and the man believed.
Is that us?
Is our faith strong enough to take the journey, to believe the truth Jesus speaks to us and to tell others?
In examining these miracles, we must realize that @ the very least Jesus expects the recipients of the miracles to have faith in Him.
Please turn with me now to: Mark chapter 1 verse 21.
Mark 1:21–24“Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!””
Mark 1:25–27 “But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.””
At this point we have seen Jesus power over nature in turning water into wine, and His power of healing.
Here, we see His power over demons.
Also, Jesus has set up “camp” or established His “headquarters” in Capernaum.
Throughout Mark’s gospel, we see vivid depictions of Jesus in action, and this is no exception.
As we unbox this miracle, I just want to remind you that today, my remarks are randomly brought forth. No specific order or pattern.
“Let us alone”. In breaking down this phrase, many scholars believe they are saying “leave us ALL alone”, not just the ones possessing this man.
“what have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth?”
Don’t you find it amazing that even the demons know who Jesus is, but that so many humans do not, or simply will not see who He is?
I know who you are, the Holy One of God
Apparently, in the ancient world, it was believed that one could gain total control of another by speaking their name.
As a child, it was true in my life.
If my mother called out “Delman Ray Lentz” she had my complete attention and total control!
Mark 1:25 “But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!””
That be quiet is literally “be muzzled”.
He wasn’t having any of their non-sense!
We see, throughout Jesus’ ministry He spoke with authority!
We also see almost immediately, the realm of darkness that He overcame.
The Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus, and he goes into the wilderness and is confronted by the devil.
He is in the synagogue shortly after He launches His ministry and encounters demons.
He has power over nature, the power to heal, and the power to control demons!
The above miracle is found in: Luke 4:31-36 as well.
Turn with me to Mark chapter 1 verse 29 (repeat)
Mark 1:29–31 “Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.”
This miracle is recorded also in 8th Chapter of Matthew verse 14-14, as well as Luke chapter 4 verses, 38-39.
Our first inclination may be> so he cured a woman from fever.
Apparently, this was no ordinary fever. In fact it was a “great” fever according to KJV, or a “violent” fever as recorded in the WEB. This was most likely a typhoid type fever.
His action is recorded as: “took her by the hand”, “sat her up in the bed”, and “spoke, and the fever left her”. I love how the gospels oftentimes highlight different details, and this passage is no different.
But here is the main idea:
The great fever immediately left her. They didn’t wait around watching the thermometer drop, as the fever subsided.
We see that the miracles Jesus performed had and instantaneous affect.
In fact, she got up and served Jesus and the others. How’s that for gratitude?
How do we show our gratitude when Jesus “cures our fever”? Hopefully, you realize I am speaking metaphorically.
Again, only a select few witnesses to this miracle.
Coming up:
Larger crowds witness the miracles
Miracles with food and raising the dead
As we close today, let us be thankful for the miracles in our lives. Whether they be the quiet ones, or the ones with much hoopla!
