THE MIRACLES OF JESUS: MYTH OR REALITY?

INTRODUCTION:

Two important elements that marked Jesus' public ministry and were fundamental to his ministry were, first, miracles (by the power of the Holy Spirit) and teaching (in the synagogues). But this study will focus solely on Jesus' miracles to determine whether they are a myth or a reality we should believe.

In a deliverance scene in the Gospels, where we see the man possessed by an unclean spirit (Luke 4:31-37), what is interesting about this story is that the demon recognises Jesus. But the Lord silences him, refusing to accept the testimony of the demons.

The people are amazed, and his fame spreads throughout the land.

THE MIRACLES OF JESUS: MYTH OR REALITY?

n this study entitled “THE MIRACLES OF JESUS: MYTH OR REALITY?”, we will answer the following eight questions:

1.What is a miracle?

2.Why did Jesus decide to perform miracles?

3.What impact did these miracles have on his public ministry?

4.Can we believe the miracles of Jesus recorded in the Gospels?

5.What evidence supports the authenticity of Jesus' miracles?

6.What role do miracles play in end-time revivals?

7.Can we still believe in miracles today?

8.How can I receive my miracle from God?

WHAT IS A MIRACLE?

A miracle is an extraordinary event perceived as supernatural, without scientific explanation, in which one believes to recognise the intervention of a divine power.

According to the Bible, miracles testify to the intervention and manifestation of God's power, revealing His presence and the freedom He uses to accomplish His purposes in the lives of His people. The Bible describes miracles in terms of power (Exodus 9:16), wonders (Romans 1:19-20), healing (John 9:1-41), and signs and deliverance (John 3:2).

Paul-Émile Littré's Dictionnaire de la langue française defines a miracle as "an act contrary to the ordinary laws of nature." According to this definition, a color television, a radiotelephone, or a laptop computer would have been considered miracles only 100 years ago. Does it make sense to claim that something is impossible simply because we cannot explain it based on current scientific knowledge?

Consider this: In the original Greek, the language in which the New Testament was written, the word dunamis, translated as "miracle," primarily means "power." It is also translated as "powerful work" or "ability." (Luke 6:19; 1 Corinthians 12:10; Matthew 25:15) The Bible affirms that Jesus' miracles were a manifestation of "the majestic power of God" (Luke 9:43). Such powerful works are impossible for humans, but possible for the Almighty, the One who possesses an abundance of life energy. Isaiah 40:26.

CAUTION:

When you read these words in the Bible: power, wonder, healing, sign, and deliverance, you must understand that they express the divine miracles of the Bible.

CAN WE BELIEVE IN THE MIRACLES OF JESUS ​​RECORDED IN THE GOSPELS?

My answer is absolutely yes, because if we believe the truth of the Bible, which is the Word of God revealed to us, then everything written is true, including the miracles recorded in the four Gospels, is also true.

MATTHEW 14:25.

"Now in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea."

The history recorded by the four Gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) records approximately 35 miracles performed by Jesus. However, their accounts confirm that he performed many other supernatural and miraculous works; we learn more about this in Matthew 9:35 and Luke 9:11.

WHAT IS THE EVIDENCE OF THE AUTHENTICITY OF JESUS' MIRACLES?

1. THE SIMPLICITY OF THESE STORIES:

To prove the authenticity of Jesus' miracles, we must first carefully examine the four Gospels. It is clear that the accounts of Jesus' miracles contained in the four Gospels differ significantly from myths and legends, as they are free from exaggeration and fiction. Indeed, the eyewitnesses of these miracles and their authors approach them with absolute simplicity, without exaggeration, using simple and common terms of their time.

Traditionally, when reading a false story, we first notice the exaggeration of effects and the use of strong words, seeking to impress the reader and convince them of its veracity. The situation is quite different when we analyse the accounts of Jesus' miracles reported in the Gospels; We notice a spirit of simplicity, without exaggerating effects or using strong words to impress the reader, which demonstrates the veracity of the miracles of Jesus reported in the Gospels.

2. THE MOTIVATION BEHIND THESE MIRACLES:

Examining all the accounts of Jesus' miracles in the Gospels, we see that Jesus performed miracles to meet the real needs of his people, with compassion, and not to attract attention or even to show off (Mark 10:46-52). He never used his powers for personal gain (Matthew 4:2-4). Even when King Herod, out of curiosity, asked Jesus to perform a "sign," "he gave him nothing in return" (Luke 23:8, 9). For he did not perform his miracles to please men, but his mighty works were always for the glory of God.

(John 9:3; 11:1-4)

3. NO STRANGE CEREMONIES:

Examining the Gospels, we notice that Jesus' miracles differed from those of the professional illusionists, magicians, and healers of his time (John 9:3; 11:1-4). Jesus' miracles are free from emotionally charged rituals, magical incantations, stagecraft, deception, or hypnosis. For example, when a blind beggar named Bartimaeus begged him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight!" Jesus simply replied, "Go; your faith has made you well." And he immediately received his sight.

Mark 10:46-52.

4. IT HAPPENS IN PUBLIC VIEW OF WITNESSES:

If we consider all the accounts of miracles performed by Jesus, they generally occurred in public, in front of numerous witnesses (Mark 5:24-29; Luke 7:11-15).

5. THE SILENCE OF THE ENEMIES:

In the Gospels, what is remarkable about Jesus' miracles is also the silence of his enemies. The Jewish religious leaders of his time had every reason to discredit him, but his miracles were so famous that his opponents did not dare deny them, even if later, out of jealousy, they tried to attribute them to the power of demons (Matthew 12:22-24).

6. THE BENEFICIARIES OF HIS MIRACLES COULD TESTIFY:

The Gospels offer us a beautiful example of the healing of a man born blind. The religious leaders of the synagogue interrogated him to force him to deny his miracles, but he insistently testified that it was Jesus of Nazareth who had restored his sight.

JOHN 9:1-35.

Eusebius, a fourth-century church historian, also provides further evidence. In his work "History of the Church," he cites a certain Quadratus who wrote a letter to the Roman emperor defending Christianity. Quadratus writes: "The works of our Saviour were always verifiable, and authentic." For those who had been healed or resurrected were not only visible at the time of their healing or resurrection, but could still be so, not only while the Saviour was still with us, but also long after His departure; some of them have survived to this day.

Biblical scholar William Barclay notes: "Quadratus asserts that, even in his time, men who had benefited from Jesus' miracles could still testify to them. And if this had not been true, the Roman government could have stigmatised this lie."

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