Jesus the Miracle Worker

23-04-19Teaching of Jesus - Jesus'

Miracles Slide 2

The problem of the miracles of Jesus

Lessing’s ditch

Hume

Romantic lives of Christ

Demythologization

Redaction criticism

The Jesus Seminar

Jesus as magician/ exorcist

23-04-19Teaching of Jesus - Jesus'

Miracles Slide 3

Miracles in the gospels: The types of miracles in the gospels

Healing miracles

Provision miracles

Nature miracles

Exorcism

23-04-19Teaching of Jesus - Jesus'

Miracles Slide 4

The place of faith in miracles

About 1/3 of healing miracles attribute faith to the person making the request

Most of the time the faith resides in Jesus alone

In all of the nature miracles Jesus is the only one with faith

23-04-19Teaching of Jesus - Jesus'

Miracles Slide 5

The role of miracle in Mark

Miracles show that the kingdom has come

They demonstrate the presence of the kingdom

They set the issues of the kingdom

Miracles point to the confession of Jesus as Messiah

23-04-19Teaching of Jesus - Jesus'

Miracles Slide 6

The role of miracle in Matthew (Matt 8:1-9:35)

The numbers found in Mark are sometimes doubled

There appear to be several groupings

Miracles show the truth of the message

Mark X 2

23-04-19Teaching of Jesus - Jesus'

Miracles Slide 7

The role of miracle in Luke

Miracles show the compassion of Jesus

Miracles are part of the conflict with Satan

Miracles are part of the program of the Spirit (Luke 4:18ff)

Miracles are part of the ministry of the church

23-04-19Teaching of Jesus - Jesus'

Miracles Slide 8

The role of miracle in John

Miracles are signs pointing to a deeper reality

Miracles can be viewed on two levels

Sign Signified

23-04-19Teaching of Jesus - Jesus'

Miracles Slide 9

The miracles Jesus never does

Miracles of destruction – he is no Moses

Miracles of judgment – he is no Elijah

Instead, his miracles always showCompassion

Healing

Shalom

This is the reflection of the heart of God

23-04-19Teaching of Jesus - Jesus'

Miracles Slide 10

Summary: kingdom and miracle

The rule of God is connected with the restoration of humanityThe message of the kingdom announces that the rule of God has comeMiracles bring a taste of this rule

• They show that the message is reality oriented• They authenticate the messengers• They give pictures of what the rule is like

Miracles are not the complete presence of the kingdom• They are limited in scope• They are limited in time• They require faith to understand