Jesus’ Miracles
The importance of the miracles

Jesus’ actions, his
miracles, are
important
 Affirm the truth of
his words
Variety of signs
1.
2.
3.
4.
Healing
Miracles
Exorcism
Restoration
of life
Nature
miracles
Challenge of the Miracles: Take ‘em or
Leave ‘em?
•Because
of today’s reasoncentered world view, Miracle
stories are problematic . This has
led to a two option response to
miracles: Take ‘em or leave ‘em
•Leave
‘em – miracles are, by definition,
phenomena that go beyond the laws of
nature. This group says, therefore,
that
miracles cannot really happen.
People who believe in miracles are
easy to fool
Take ‘em or Leave
‘em?
Take ‘em – all
miracles are taken
literally. This group
rejects Scientific
explanations
Says that
symbolic
explanations lack
faith.
You can Leave ‘em but…

There is evidence that Jesus
truly was a miracle worker.
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Non-Christian historians
referred to Jesus as a “wonderworker.”
The Gospels record that the
Pharisees, while Jesus’ biggest
critics, do not deny Jesus’
ability to work miracles.
There were lots of
eyewitnesses to Jesus’ miracles
– they are recorded in the
Gospels.
The large following of Jesus
during his life and later after
his
death/resurrection/ascension
probably did not form only on
hearsay.
You can take ‘em but…

The Gospels sometimes
exaggerate the miracle
stories over time.

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Markan priority- Compare
w/Matthew, written after
Mark
Mark 1:35 – Jesus “cured
many who were sick” Matt.
8:16 – Jesus “cured all who
were sick.”
Mark 5:23 – (Jairus) “My
daughter is at the point of
death.” Matt. (9:18) – “My
daughter has just died.”

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Ultimately, we
can neither deny
miracles nor take
all of them
literally.
Take ‘em or
Leave ‘em is not
going to produce
a satisfactory
answer to the
problem of the
miracles.
Third option?

A third, or middle,
option can be found
through study of the
miracles –
 what is their purpose
in the gospel stories?
 What are they meant
to convey?
 How did people in
ancient times
understand miracles?
Ancient Worldview –
“Miraculous”


Ancient people lacked modern science, medicine, or
technology to explain the inexplicable.
Ancient people had a distinct belief in God’s
interaction with humanity and the world.


Jews believed that the One True God intervened in their
lives – from Abraham to current times = salvation history
Greeks and Romans believed in a pantheon (temple) of gods
and goddesses, who, at their pleasure, got involved in
human life.

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The Pantheon was dedicated to pan theos, "all the gods."
Therefore, for ancient people phenomena, “Miracles”
explained the mysteries of life.
From Acts of the Apostles
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(14:8-12)
“In Lystra, there was a man
sitting who could not use his
feet and had never walked…
And Paul…said in a loud voice,
‘Stand up on your feet!’
And the man sprang up and
began to walk.
When the crowds saw what
Paul had done, they shouted,
‘The gods have come down to
us in human form!’
Barnabus they called Zeus and
Paul they called Hermes…”
Faith, first requirement

Faith in Jesus is a requirement
in understanding the miracles

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- Jesus required belief in him and faith in
God to perform miracles.
- Could not perform miracles in his
hometown because of their disbelief
Mark 6:2-6
“Where did this man get all
this?”...And they took offense at
him…And he could do no deed of
power there, except that he laid his
hands on a few sick people and
cured them. And he was amazed at
their disbelief.
Special signs & conversion


By performing miracles,
Jesus is providing special
signs that verifies his
identity by showing God’s
power.
 -Exorcisms: Jesus is the
conqueror and Lord over
sin.
the central message of all
miracle stories is that
conversion – changing from
non-belief to belief in Jesus
– is the point and meaning
of the miracle stories.
Nature miracles – God’s reign is
over all of creation.

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Jesus overcomes the
chaos of the world by
performing miracles.
Jesus calms a storm and
walks on water.
Jesus feeds thousands by
multiplying loaves and
fishes.
Leprosy in the Bible

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“Leprosy,” when used in
the bible, refers to any
serious skin disease
that renders somebody
“unclean” under the
law.
Leprosy, like any
physical or mental
illness, was largely
incurable in ancient
times.
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Leprosy, like any
illness, was
frightening and
believed to be a
curse from God or
a form of evil
possessing the
Body.
Therefore,
unclean people
were shunned
and feared.
Leprosy
Often referred to as
“the living death.”
Mark: Jesus’ ministry Map
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7.
Using your Mark as a story, locate the places in which
Jesus performed a miracle (healing, etc.)
Label each place using a different color
On the left side of the map, write the name of the
places
Number and connect the places
Use the maps on the back of the bible or the ones
included on the textbook as a guide
You need to include at least 6-8 places
When you’re done, you may color in the background of
your map