The Miracles of Jesus – 2024 – Part 2

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John 21:25 NKJV And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

Hebrews 13:8 NKJV Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

What Jesus did, He still does!

(I want to acknowledge the source of most of the material for these lessons is found in: The Miracles of Jesus Christ by Rick Renner. These video lessons can be found on Renner.org and on YouTube.)

Jesus Moves His Ministry to Capernaum

Capernaum became known as the city of Jesus.

Luke 4:14-16 NKJV Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. (15) And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. (16) So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.

Nazareth was a very small country town, barely a dot on the map. Some say the population was 400 or less. It was a very religious community and closed minded to foreigners and newcomers. There was no way for most of the people to earn a living (except for farming), so they had to go to neighboring towns to get work.

The town was so small, that everybody knew everybody and thus was so very familiar with Jesus and His family that they could not receive from Him.

Luke 4:16-29 NKJV So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. (17) And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: (18) “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE HAS ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR; HE HAS SENT ME TO HEAL THE BROKENHEARTED, TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY TO THE CAPTIVES AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET AT LIBERTY THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED; (19) TO PROCLAIM THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.” (20) Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. (21) And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (22) So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” (23) He said to them, “You will surely say this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country.’ ” (24) Then He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. (25) But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; (26) but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. (27) And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” (28) So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, (29) and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff.

Jesus was not just reading Scripture, He was making a proclamation about Himself!

The people of Nazareth did not receive Him for Who He was. The just perceived Him as the son of Jospeh and Mary.

Luke 4:30-31 NKJV Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way. (31) Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths.

Even though Nazareth was Jesus’ hometown, He chose to move His ministry to Capernaum.

    • Capernaum was completely different from Nazareth.
    • Capernaum was beautiful, open-minded, and rich in many ways.
    • Located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum was a bustling city filled with many tourists, much trade, and a constant flow of travelers.
    • It had one of the largest ports on the Sea of Galilee, which meant ships were coming and going, bringing fresh cargo and travelers regularly.
    • Capernaum was next to the Via Maris, a major Roman road that extended all the way from Syria down to Egypt. It was a major trade route for that day.
    • Capernaum was also home to a large regiment of Roman soldiers, includ­ing a centurion who requested and received healing from Jesus for his servant.
    • There was also a major tax-collecting office in the city. This was the place where Jesus met and called Matthew, who was a tax collector. Because Capernaum was located near the border of Israel, many people passed through Capernaum to pay their taxes.
    • When we combine the high level of trade, tourism, travelers, and tax collecting, Capernaum was a very wealthy city.

Jesus moved His ministry to Capernaum because He could affect many more people there. Basically, from Capernaum, He could impact the entire world of the day.

As a result of Capernaum’s strategic location on the Via Maris and its large seaport, which brought in many tourists and travelers, news of Jesus’ miraculous ministry traveled quickly even to remote regions.

Interestingly, Jesus Himself became a major tourist attraction, and the city of Caper­naum became known as the “city of Jesus.” People from all over the region converged on the town of Capernaum to see Jesus and receive His healing touch.

The truth is, more miracles happened in Capernaum than any other place in Israel.

Healings and Miracles Jesus Did in and Near Capernaum:

    • Jesus cast an unclean spirit out of a notable man in the synagogue, which is what launched His ministry from Capernaum (see Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:32-37).
    • Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever (see Matthew 8:15; Mark 1:29-31; Luke 4:38, 39).
    • Jesus healed many sick and demonized people (see Matthew 8:16; Mark 1:32-34; Luke 4:40-41).
    • Jesus healed a leper (see Matthew 8:2-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-15).
    • Jesus healed a paralytic (see Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:3-5; Luke 5:17-26).
    • Jesus healed a man with a withered hand (see Matthew 12:10-13; Mark 3:1-5; Luke 6:6-10).
    • Jesus healed the rich nobleman’s son (see John 4:46-54).
    • Jesus caused a miraculous catch of fish (see Luke 5:1-11).
    • Jesus healed a centurion’s servant (see Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10).
    • Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee, just outside of Caper­naum (see Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25).
    • Jesus healed the woman with the issue of blood (see Matthew 9:20- 22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48).
    • Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead (see Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:22-43; Luke 8:41-56).
    • Jesus healed two blind men and cast a mute spirit out of another man (see Matthew 9:27-31).
    • Jesus walked on the Sea of Galilee, right near Capernaum (see Mat­thew 14:22-33; Mark 6:47-56; John 6:15-21).
    • Jesus fed 4,000 people on a hillside, just outside of Capernaum (see Matthew 15:32-39; Mark 8:1-9).
    • Jesus healed a boy who was under the influence of the occult (see Matthew 17:14-21).
    • And Jesus performed the miracle of money in a fish’s mouth (see Matthew 17:24-27).

As you read through the list of supernatural happenings, it is hard not to think about all that the people of Nazareth could have received but didn’t. Why? It was all a result of their failure to accept Jesus for who He was — the Son of God. Their familiarity with Him and His family led to unbelief and offense, which shut down the power of God in their lives. Although Capernaum received an overflow of God’s power, Nazareth barely saw a spark (see Matthew 13:54-58).

Capernaum welcomed Jesus with open arms. Nazareth threw Him out with clenched fists. Capernaum was open-minded, free, and accommo­dating. Nazareth was close-minded, religious, and resistant. The people of Capernaum made room for Jesus, and when you make room for Jesus, great things happen!

His Ministry Begins

Mark 1:21-22 NKJV Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. (22) And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Notice the first thing Jesus does when He gets to Capernaum, is He begins to teach the people. He did not wait. The original language implies that He was teaching as He walked in the door.

What did He teach? Since He was the Word made flesh, He was constantly unpacking the revelation of Scripture.

What we do know is that because He taught with such authority or influence, the people were astonished. This means they were dumbfounded and at a loss for words. This is more than just self-confidence. This is an authority granted unto Him by the Father through the anointing of the Holy Spirit to do what He was doing.

We also know He was anointed to teach, and the anointing can simply amaze and influence people because it is the power of God.

The Scripture says His influence was not like the scribes, who probably were not anointed because they taught religion and not a relationship with God. The scribes were ones committed to doctrine and meticulously copied each letter and verse of the law. They were highly intellectual people who literally made copies of the Scriptures. Although they had a lot of intellect, they lack power and anointing.

When Jesus entered the room, there was an instantaneous spiritual reaction to Jesus’ authority.

Mark 1:23-28 NKJV Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, (24) saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are–the Holy One of God!” (25) But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” (26) And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. (27) Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” (28) And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.

Notice where this demon possessed man was – He was in the Synagogue.

The moment Jesus walked in; this spirit cried out (through the man). In the Greek, it says that he began to repeatedly scream or shriek. This man releases a prolonged, bloodcurdling scream. This demonic spirit panicked and sought to disrupt what Jesus was doing.

Notice the spirit said, “I know who you are – the holy One of God”. He some personal experience with Jesus in the past, but where? Perhaps in the temptation in the wilderness but most likely when the rebellion happened in Heaven (Ezekiel 28) and the third of the angels rebelled and were cast out.

In verse 25, we see that Jesus said something to the spirit. He told him to be quite and come out of him. What’s interesting is that the word saying indicates in the Greek that Jesus had to say it more than once. This spirit wanted to argue with Jesus.

Mark 1:26 NKJV And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.

When Jesus demanded the demon to exit the man, it threw him into vio­lent spasms or seizures. The man was convulsing and gasping in response to the unclean spirit’s departure.

Mark 1:27 NKJV Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”

They continued saying, “For with authority commandeth he even the un­clean spirits, and they do obey him.” The word “commandeth” is the Greek word epitasso, which is a military term to denote the authoritative voice of a commander who gives the charge for disorder to become ordered. And the word “obey” is the Greek word hupakouo, which is also a military term meaning to fall in line or to obey what is spoken.

When Jesus, the Commander-in-Chief of Heaven’s armies, told the un­clean spirit to exit, the people essentially said, “Even the unclean spirits fall in line to His authority.” The word “even” is the Greek word kai, and it is an emphatic statement that portrays a sense of amazement and shock. Again, we see the sense of awe that came upon the people.

Once Jesus had miraculously delivered this man, Mark 1:28 informs us that, “…Immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.” The word “fame” is the Greek word akoe, and it is the Greek word for “the ear.” It describes something that is heard; a widespread rumor or spreading of information. It is the picture of news ringing in the ears of its hearers. The news of what Jesus did began to travel throughout the whole region. People were talking about the Miracle Worker who had moved to the city of Capernaum, and the “buzz” created by their report moved to the city of Capernaum, and the “buzz” created by their reports launched Jesus into His miracle ministry in the city of Capernaum.