Jesus Heals….Signs of the Kingdom

Chapter 8Page 171

Do you Believe in Miracles?

Why or

Why Not?

9/11

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b48bCMNyxos

Chilean miners rescued after 69 days underground

Plane Crashes Into Hudson: Hero Pilot Saves Everyone

First words…now actions

MIRACLES

TYPES

HEALING

Type 2

EXCORCISMS

DRAMATIC ACCOUNTS OF

JESUS DRIVING EVIL SPIRITS OUT

OF PEOPLE

Type 3

Restoration of Life=

Jesus raised people from

the dead

Type 4

Nature MiraclesThese miracles

demonstrate Jesus’ control

over the forces of nature

What Makes the Miracles significant?

They demonstrate that the power of God was truly

present in Jesus. Without some concrete demonstration of Jesus’ power over sin and

evil his words would lack credibility. P. 172

Questions to ask about the meaning of the miracles

1. What did the Gospel writers intend to teach about Jesus and his Kingdom?

2. What did Jesus intend to reveal through his miracles

3. How are we to understand the miracles today? (this is the most critical)

Why are miracles sooooooo challenging? P. 174

• The ideas of miracles today often present the logical mind with serious, disturbing questions

rather than faith strengthening signs of hope.

Two Schools of Thought

Take ‘em or

Leave ‘em

Take ‘em• Accepting all of God’s miracles at face value

and in doing so are forced to reject many of our modern scientific findings.

• This view is often called fundamentalist approach. These followers do not accept any part of the Scriptures as symbolic or open to interpretation.

• These people take the miracles at face value.

Leave’emReject any possibilities of miracles because they go beyond science and

the laws of nature. People who reject miracles consider

the Gospel accounts to be illusions of a primitive people or fables

Does it have to be ALL or NOTHING?

The Middle School

Christians in this school believe..

Jesus did in fact work SOME

wonders

And…..

These events, these happenings have

something valid and true to tell us..

What is the evidence that Jesus worked wonders?

• Supported by historical records—Jesus was

referred to as a wonder worker.• Not denied by the Pharisees.• Affirmed by eyewitnesses—Many of whom

chose to die rather than deny him.

Persistent Problem

The Gospels seem to disagree with one another about the same events.

Read page 176

Possible Explanation

• A tendency to EXAGGERATE in the early community of faith.

Questions for us.

• On what basis can we approach and judge the truth of the miracles?

• How are we to understand them if they cannot always be understood as historical events reported with complete accuracy?