DEVOTIONS WITH PASTOR BOB 6 Practices in our Christian life #3 “Jesus the Miracle Worker” (lesson 2)

DEVOTIONS WITH PASTOR BOB

6 Practices in our Christian life

#3 “Jesus the Miracle Worker” (lesson 2)

 

 

Way Maker

https://youtu.be/Pmc998o9WMw

 

 

BELIEVE IN HIS MIRACLES

Since the time of Christ, there have been many people who have denied His miracles.

For whatever reason, they have not believed the New Testament's account of His supernatural works.

The people in Jesus' day, however, had a chance to witness firsthand whether or not Jesus performed miraculous deeds.

They had a lot to say on the matter too.

 

 

1. THERE WAS A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF MIRACLES

First, the number of miracles Jesus performed was sufficient for honest inquirers to believe in them.

The four gospels record Jesus performing about 35 separate miracles.

Most of the miracles that Jesus performed are recorded in more than one gospel.

Two of His miracles, the feeding of the five thousand, and the resurrection, are found in all four gospels.

 

 

THE MIRACLES OF JESUS

Jesus performed many more miracles than are recorded in the Gospels.

In addition, each of the Gospel writer says that Jesus performed many more miracles than they had recorded.

 

 

Matthew wrote in Matthew 4:23 (NLT),

Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom.

 And he healed every kind of disease and illness.

 

 

Mark wrote in Mark 6:56 (NLT),

Wherever he went—in villages, cities, or the countryside—they brought the sick out to the marketplaces.

They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.

 

 

Luke wrote in Luke 6:19 (NLT)

Everyone tried to touch him, because healing power went out from him, and he healed everyone.

 

 

John wrote in John 20:30 (NLT),

The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book.

 

The vast number of miracles in which Jesus performed demonstrates that miracles were a regular part of His ministry.

 

 

2. THE MIRACLES WERE A SUFFICIENT VARIETY

The miracles of Jesus were also of a sufficient variety to show that He had miraculous power.

Of the specific miracles recorded in the four gospels we find:

• 17 were bodily cures,

 

• 6 were healing of demonic possession,

 

• 9 were miracles of nature, and there were three occasions where He raised someone from the dead.

 

• Of the seventeen specific healing miracles that are recorded there is a variety of different illnesses that Jesus healed.

 

• These include: leprosy, paralysis, fever, shriveled limbs, an amputated ear, blindness, deafness, muteness, and blood hemorrhaging.

 

 

3 - HE HAS ULTIMATE AUTHORITY

Jesus also has the authority over life and death.

The Bible records three specific cases of Jesus resurrecting someone from the dead:

          - Jairus' daughter who had just died (Matthew 9:18-26),

 

          - the widow of Nain's son who was in the coffin (Luke 7:11-15),

 

          - and Lazarus who had been in the tomb for four days (John 11).

 

 

Jesus showed his control over three stages of death:

• Those who had just died,

 

• Those who were going to be buried,

 

• Those who were already in the tomb.

 

4 - THE MIRACLES COVERED ALL POSSIBLE AREAS OF AUTHORITY

As the Son of God, Jesus exercised authority over all realms.

The Gospel of Matthew, in the 8^th and 9^th chapter, shows many different areas over which Jesus demonstrated His authority.

The point of recording these various miracles is to show that Jesus is Lord of every realm imaginable - He is Lord of all!

 

 

1. JESUS HEALED INCURABLE DISEASE

After delivering the Sermon on the Mount Jesus came down from the mountain and reached out to the most repulsive of people - a man with leprosy.

At this time there was no known cure for the disease.

Therefore, a leper was considered one who is the living dead.

Jesus had compassion on this particular man and healed him instantaneously.

 

Matthew 8:1-3 (NLT)

1 - Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. 

2 - Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.”

3 - Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. 

 

Here, Jesus demonstrated His authority over the realm of incurable disease.

 

 

1. JESUS ALSO HEALED A MAN FROM A DISTANCE

Jesus also had the ability to heal someone without being physically present.

A centurion approached Jesus on behalf of his paralyzed servant.

The centurion's faith was such that he believed the servant would be healed if Jesus just gave the word, there was no need for His actual presence.

Jesus marveled at the man's faith.

 

 

Matthew 8:10,13 (NLT).

10 - When Jesus heard this, He was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!

 

13 - Then Jesus said to the centurion, 'Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.' Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour.  

 

 

So, Jesus exhibited power to heal when He was not present, not even near the afflicted person. This demonstrates that He is Lord of space and time.

 

 

1. JESUS IS THE LORD OVER NATURE

Jesus is not only the Lord over disease, He is also the Lord over nature.

 

 

Matthew 8:25-27(NLT)

25 - The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

26 - Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.

27 - The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”

 

 

When Jesus calmed the storm, He displayed authority over nature - the realm of the visible world.

 

 

 

1. JESUS IS LORD OVER THE SUPERNATURAL REALM

Jesus also had authority over the supernatural realm.

Jesus met two demon-possessed men who were terrorizing the countryside.

When Jesus approached, they cried out:

Matthew 8:29 (NLT)

They began screaming at him, “Why are you interfering with us, Son of God?

Have you come here to torture us before God’s appointed time?”

 

Jesus cast out demons into a herd of swine and the two men returned to normal.

By doing this, Jesus showed authority in the area of the supernatural - the invisible realm.

In this one short boat trip on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus also showed His authority over both the visible and invisible realm. (Matthew 8:28-34)

 

 

1. JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO FORGIVE SINS

In the episode of healing a paralyzed man at Capernaum, Jesus showed that His authority extended to the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 9:1-8).

 

 

1. JESUS HAS AUTHORITY OVER LIFE AND DEATH

Furthermore, Jesus demonstrated His authority was over life and death.

While he spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped him, saying, 'My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and she will live.' . . .

And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, he said to them, 'Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.'

And they laughed him to scorn.

But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose (Matthew 9:18,23-25).

Even death was subject to His authority.

 

 

1. JESUS HAS AUTHORITY OVER THE NATURAL AND THE SUPERNATURAL AT THE SAME TIME

The last miracle consists of a man who had problems in both the natural and supernatural realm.

 

 Matthew 9:32-34 (NLT)

32 - When they left, a demon-possessed man who couldn’t speak was brought to Jesus. 

33 - So Jesus cast out the demon, and then the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed. “Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!” they exclaimed.

34 - But the Pharisees said, “He can cast out demons because he is empowered by the prince of demons.”

 

This man was demon-possessed and mute at the same time.

Jesus had no problem dealing with both realms simultaneously.

 

These varied miracles prove that Jesus is “THE LORD OF ALL”!

While we are waiting for his answers, let us wait in faith that He is a God that performs miracles. Amen!

 

 

Lord I need a miracle Today

https://youtu.be/7jTZ2tdDJig

 

PRAYER

Dear Father, we rejoice that you are a miracle working God. Jesus demonstrated the power of God on the earth by the multitude of miracles He performed. We thank you that you still do miracles today. We thank you for those You have gifted with the ability to perform miracles. We stand in awe of your mighty power, in Jesus’ name, amen.