Topic: Miracles

Why study the miracles of Jesus?  What Jesus did, He is still doing!

When faced with a need or challenge in life, do you immediately remember what Jesus has done in your life and rush to faith or do you forget those things and rush to panic?

(We would like to thank Pastor Rick Renner for his insight into the Greek language and historical information. A great portion of this message series comes from his message series, The Miracles of Jesus Christ and the accompanying study guide.)

With five loaves and two fish, He fed thousands of people from a child’s sack lunch, demonstrating His dynamic ability to take what seems insignificant and turn it into something extraordinary.

A Great Multitude Followed Jesus

Jesus had performed many miracles and supernatural signs — especially in and around the city of Capernaum. With each passing day, the crowds that followed Him grew greater and greater. 

John 6:1-2 NKJV (1)  After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. (2)  Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased.

Notice it says a “great multitude” followed Him. This is the Greek phrase polus ochlos, and it means a multitude; enormous; massive in size. Up until that moment, this was the largest crowd that had ever “followed” Jesus, and the Greek tense for “followed” indicates that they kept following and following and following Him. Why were they following Him so persistently? Verse 2 says, “…Because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.”

The word “miracles” is the Greek word semeion, which describes miraculous events, and the word “performed” is the Greek word poieo, which means to do; to make; or to create. It is where we get the word “poet,” and it always carries the idea of creativity or creative action.

Jesus wasn’t just doing simple miracles like healing headaches or minor illnesses. The use of the word poieo indicates that He had a creative flair to His healing ministry. That is, He created eyes where there were no eyes, arms where there were no arms, and feet where there were no feet. 

He healed those who were “diseased,” which is the Greek word astheneo, and it generally describes a person frail in health. It pictures those who were feeble, fragile, faint, incapacitated, or disabled. Jesus was supplying creative and supernatural solutions to unbearable situations like these.

He Saw That the People Were Hungry

Like countless other miracles, the miracle of the loaves and fishes happened near the city of Capernaum. 

John 6:3-4 NKJV (3)  And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples. (4)  Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near.

Large crowds of people were traveling with Jesus on the Via Maris — “the way of the sea.” And as they were heading to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, Jesus and His disciples departed from the road and found a place to sit and rest after many days of intense ministry.

John 6:5 NKJV (5)  Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?”

Jesus gazed intently at the people as if He were watching a dramatic presentation. He knew they had to be hungry after the long trip, so He “…saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” Of course, this was a silly question to ask, and Jesus knew it. They were on top of a hill in the middle of nowhere with no markets around for miles. 

John 6:6 NKJV (6)  But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.

Jesus knew what He was about to do, but He said this to “prove” Philip. The word “prove” is the Greek word peiradzo, which is a test designed to reveal a deficiency.

Think about it. The disciples had seen with their own eyes the mighty miracles of Jesus, including the wonders of Him walking on water, turning water into wine, and casting out devils. What they had not seen up to this point was a miraculous multiplication of food. They had a deficiency in their understanding of Jesus in this area. You would think that in light of all they had seen, they would believe that Jesus would come through just as He had done so many times previously. But they didn’t. Instead of rushing to faith, they rushed to doubt and began to panic.

Sometimes Jesus will “prove” us to point out a deficiency of faith in us.

Five Loaves and Two Fish Were All That Could Be Found

John 6:7 NKJV (7)  Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.”

“Two hundred pennyworth” equals 200 denarii or 200 days’ worth of salary. The common wage in those days was one denarius for one day of work. Philip said, “Even if we could gather 200 days of salary in this moment and buy bread, it wouldn’t be enough for everyone to have a little.” The word “little” is the Greek word brachus, which describes something very small; a fragment. Two hundred denarii of bread wouldn’t have given each person a fragment.

John 6:8-9 NKJV (8)  One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, (9)  “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?”

It’s interesting to note that the word “lad” is the Greek word paidarion, and it describes a very young boy, probably under the age of seven. This boy had brought a lunch of five barley loaves and two small fishes.

Interestingly, the Greek term for “barley loaves” is artous krithinous, and it describes a fragile and inferior bread; a barley cracker. And the phrase “small fishes,” is the Greek word opsarion, and it describes a small fish about the size of a sardine or minnow, usually pickled or cooked. Thus, this little boy had five barely crackers and two minnows. Why? This makes sense because he wouldn’t have needed five large loaves of bread and two regular-sized fish; it would have been too much for him to eat.

There the lad stood — just about ready to reach into his pocket and pull out his little lunch that his mom had probably packed. Suddenly, one of Jesus’ disciples showed up and said, “Wait! Don’t eat that. Jesus needs your food.” Hurriedly, the boy was rushed in front of Jesus, and he placed his five barley crackers and two minnows into His hands.

The Miracle of Multiplication

John 6:10 NKJV (10)  Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

Luke 9:14-15 NKJV (14)  For there were about five thousand men. Then He said to His disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of fifty. (15)  And they did so, and made them all sit down.

Sometimes you have to organize your situation before you can receive your miracle.

Interestingly, the word “men” in the Greek can describe men and women or just men. If the five thousand refers to men and women, there were 5,000 in attendance. However, if it refers to men only — as many scholars suggest — we would need to add to this number the wives, children, and possibly grandparents who would have been traveling to Jerusalem with them. It’s estimated that as many as 40,000 people were gathered with Jesus at that time.

Yet whether it was 5,000 or 40,000, five barley crackers and two minnows weren’t going to feed the crowd — regardless of how small the pieces were cut. Needless to say, the disciples saw lack in this situation, but Jesus saw opportunity — a chance to once again prove His miraculous power to His disciples and all those gathered.

John 6:11 NKJV (11)  And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted.

This tells us that Jesus will take anything we place in His hands and use it for His glory. Once the crackers and minnows were in His grasp, it says He had “given thanks.” This is the Greek word eucharisteo, which describes a free-flowing stream of thankfulness; gratitude.

As gratefulness was flowing, Jesus began worshiping the Father as the great Provider. In that moment, something miraculous began to happen in His hands. As He “distributed” the barley crackers and fish, which in the Greek means to divide or sever, the food multiplied in His hands! The disciples kept coming and coming, and Jesus kept giving and giving — worshiping the Father all the while.

John 6:12 NKJV (12)  So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.”

The Greek tense actually means, “When they were double filled.” In other words, they ate until they were completely filled! The people kept eating and eating and eating until they could eat no more. 

John 6:13-14 NKJV (13)  Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. (14)  Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

Can you imagine the range of emotions the disciples experienced? They went from fearful panic in the beginning to shock and utter amazement at the end, having 12 basketfuls left over. How about the little boy? He knew the minuscule amount Jesus had to work with because he had given it to Him. If he had hidden his crackers and fishes or eaten them to satisfy just his own hunger, he would have completely missed out on this amazing miracle at the hands of the Master.

When we face a challenge as the disciples did with the limit of food to feed so many, do we rush to faith or believing somehow God will come through or do we forget what Jesus has done in our lives as the disciples did?

This lesson shows us that when we place something in the hands of Jesus, whether it is time, resources, or our lives, it gets multiplied while in His hands. 

Why study the miracles of Jesus?  What Jesus did, He is still doing!

Why do storms come in our lives?

• It could be a result of our decisions. Repent!

Deuteronomy 30:19 NKJV  I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;

• It could be because we live in a broken, fallen world – use God’s Word to overcome this world.

Romans 5:12 NLT When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.

John 16:33 NKJV These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

• We serve a good God but there is a bad devil. 

John 10:10 NKJV The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

• • Jesus said he could be trying to steal the Word from your life 

Mark 4:15 NKJV  And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.

• • The devil could be trying to stop God’s plan for your life from coming to pass.

If you are doing your very best to walk according to God’s Word and obey Him, a storm could be a very clear indicator that you are getting ready to have a great breakthrough in your life. That’s what we see in the ministry of Jesus.

Mark 4:35-41 NKJV  On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”  (36)  Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.  (37)  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.  (38)  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”  (39)  Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.  (40)  But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”  (41)  And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

• Jesus determines that He needs to go over to the other side of the Lake (Sea of Galilee) to deliver a man that was possessed by thousands of demons.
• He was terrorizing the people of Gergesenes or Gadara, and causing great fear among the people.
• Jesus knew that this man’s deliverance could go a long way in affecting the people of the area for the sake of the Gospel.
• Jesus was on the verge of a great breakthrough in His ministry.
• When He was on the verge of the breakthrough, the devil attacked.

Mark 4:37 NKJV  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.

• There “arose” a great windstorm which, in the Greek, means that it came out of nowhere. The disciples (most of which were fisherman) were caught completely off guard by this unexpected wind storm.
• This is a storm of wind. Turbulence at work in the atmosphere.
• A closer look at Mark 4:37 reveals that there was nothing natural about the storm that arose. It says, “…And the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.” The word “waves” is the Greek word kumata, and it describes billowing waves; one wave after another; a succession of waves. As one monstrous wave after another slammed against the ship, it was clear that Jesus and His disciples had become the target of a demonic assault.
• Scripture says the waves “beat into” the ship. The words “beat into” are from the Greek word epiballo. It is the compound of two words: epi, meaning over, and ballo, meaning to throw. When the two words are put together to form the word epiballo, it means to throw over or to throw toward. This word is never used to describe the actions of nature. Rather, it is always used to describe the actions of a person or entity.

Where was Jesus?

Mark 4:38 NKJV  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

• Scripture says that Jesus “…was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow…” (Mark 4:38). While the storm was raging, Jesus was sleeping on a “pillow.” He was nestled in the peace of God, not worried one bit about making it to the other side. He knew that God had told Him to cross over to the country of the Gadarenes, and nothing could keep Him from getting where God had called Him to be.
• The disciples were so shaken by this storm, they were afraid they were going to die. They asked Jesus, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” The word “perishing” in the Greek means “to undo, unravel, to perish, to come to pieces or come apart at the seams.” Have you ever felt like the disciples? That your life was coming apart at the seams?
• When the disciples called out Jesus arose and responded. He will do that for us if we will call out to Him.
• The disciples thought the problem was the waves. They are fighting the waves, bailing water out of the boat and not winning the fight. So much so, that the boat was filling up with water.
• But Jesus got up and addressed the wind not the waves. Jesus addressed the unseen forces that were behind the wind. 

Ephesians 6:12 NKJV  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

• Jesus rebuked the wind. “Rebuked” means to verbally assault, to belittle, to demean, announce judgment against. Then He spoke to the sea, and told it to be quiet.

Once the unseen realm was dealt with, the natural realm became easy to deal with. 

• Jesus matched or exceeded what the devil was trying to do be there being a “great calm”. There was a “great storm”, but He topped it with a “great calm”.

Mark 4:40 NKJV  But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

• Jesus was telling the disciples that it was possible for them to have done the same thing that He did. Or, at the very least, been assured that they were going to make it to the other side simply because Jesus said they were going to.

Mark 4:41 NKJV  And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

• They were not afraid of Jesus. The words actually mean they were in great awe of Him.
• The phrase, “even the wind and sea obey Him!”, means that the wind and the sea “fell in line” at Jesus’ command. We can do the same thing in Jesus’ Name and the wind and the waves have to fall in line.
• The devil may try and stop you from getting where you are supposed to be, but if you will use your voice, in Jesus’ Name, with His authority, he will not be able to keep you from accomplishing what God wants you to do.

What Jesus did, He is still doing! If He was Lord of the wind and the waves then, then He is still Lord of the wind and the waves today!

God will custom, tailor-make a miracle for each person He is trying to reach. 

This is what He did for Peter on the Sea of Galilee.

Luke 4:40 (NKJV)  When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.

Luke 5:1-11 (NKJV)  So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret,  (2)  and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets.  (3)  Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.  (4)  When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”  (5)  But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”  (6)  And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.  (7)  So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.  (8)  When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”  (9)  For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken;  (10)  and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.”  (11)  So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

Jesus is rejected in Nazareth by the people there so He relocates His ministry down to the city of Capernaum. As soon as He arrives, He goes into the synagogue and is met there by a demon possessed man and casts the demon out of the man. 

1. Jesus always makes the most of every teaching moment.

Luke 5:1-3 (NKJV)  So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret,  (2)  and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets.  (3)  Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.

Jesus wanted to minister to the people so He used what was available to Him – Peter’s boat.

Jesus will use any vehicle or vessel available to Him to bring the Word of God to as many people as possible.

2. Jesus will never use something of yours, including yourself, without blessing you for it and making it better than before.

Luke 5:4 (NKJV)  When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”

Jesus wanted to do something for Peter to show His love for Him. Whatever you give up for the Gospel’s sake, will be returned to you.

Mark 10:29-30 (NKJV)  So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s,  (30)  who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.

3. Your miracle could very well be on the other side of your obedience to Jesus.

Luke 5:4-6 (NKJV)  When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”  (5)  But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”  (6)  And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.

Peter was exhausted from working all night long and not catching anything. Peter was also a fisherman; Jesus was a carpenter by trade. Peter could have thought, “What does Jesus know about fishing?”

What is it that Jesus may be asking us to do and our miracle is on the other side of our obedience?

4. Jesus ministers to Peter step by step until He has won his heart.

Andrew, Peter’s brother, had been ministered to by Jesus’ Baptism by John and in turn introduced Peter to Jesus. (John 1) After doing this, he leaves the synagogue and enters Peter’s house and heals his mother-in-law. But even with all of this happening, Peter is not yet a fully committed follower of Jesus or a disciple. Up to this point Peter had never repented of his sin and made Jesus the Lord of his life.

But Jesus wasn’t discouraged with Peter and continued to minister to him. Could it be we give up on people too soon when ministering to them?

Luke 5:5 (NKJV)  But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”

Peter eventually calls Jesus, “Master.” Peter was literally saying, “You are the One in charge here” and was willing to let down the nets again.

5. The outcome of Peter’s obedience was a miraculous, un-containable catch.

Luke 5:6-7 (NKJV)  And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.  (7)  So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.

The word “partners” means “legitimate business partners.” In other words, Peter’s fishing business was a large enterprise with others involved.

This catch was so overwhelming that they filled two boats with fish, so much so, that they almost sank. These boats were 32 ft. long and 10 ft. wide and could hold 5-6 tons of fish each. So this means that they caught upwards of 10 tons of fish because of Jesus.

6. Jesus performs a custom tailor-made miracle to win Peter’s heart.

When Jesus touches Peter’s business or money, it finally won Peter’s heart to Him.

Luke 5:8-9 (NKJV)  When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”  (9)  For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken;

Peter had already seen the healings and miracles of Jesus but when Jesus touched his business, he could no longer keep his composure. The phrase “fell down at Jesus’ knees” in the Greek says that Peter “collapsed” at the knees of Jesus in surrender.

Notice in verse 8, Peter says, “depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” The word “Lord” there in the Greek is the word “Kurie” meaning “absolute master or lord, one with total authority.”

7. This miracle affected more than just Peter. It affected the men with him.

Luke 5:9-11 (NKJV)  For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken;  (10)  and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.”  (11)  So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

The word “astonished” in the Greek means “dumbfounded to the point of shutting down.” 

These men were so greatly affected, that they forsook their business permanently and followed Jesus. The word “followed” means “to follow after someone or something in a very determined and purposeful manner.”

In other words, Peter, Andrew, James and John decided to follow Jesus and really put their hearts into it.

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

This Jesus in this story is still the same Jesus today and He wants to work a custom tailor-made miracle in your life!

The miracle working God of the Old Testament is still a miracle working God today!

Psalms 77:14 (TLB)  You are the God of miracles and wonders! You still demonstrate your awesome power.

Job 5:9 (NLT)  He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles.

Jeremiah 32:27 (NIV)  “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?

Do you really want to be made well?

John 5:1-5 (NKJV)  After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.  (2)  Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches.  (3)  In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water.  (4)  For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.  (5)  Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years.  

We want to acknowledge Pastor Rick Renner for his insights on this story of miraculous healing from his messages on the Miracles of Jesus Christ.

• Pool of Bethesda was not always named this.
• At one time it was a beautiful place for the rich and educated of the day to go and bathe and have some spa treatment.
• It was usually spring fed either with warm spring water or fresh, natural, and clean spring water.
• It was ornately decorated with marble and frescoes – similar to what we see has been excavated in Pompeii, Italy today.
• Over time the spring water must have dried up as we see the water was not moving.
• Because of the five porches surrounding the pool, the wind did not even stir the water and it must have become stagnant.
• Because of this, the wealthy and the educated moved to another pool and the sick people moved in.
• The Scripture says that there was a great multitude of sick people lying there almost on top of each other waiting to be healed.
• The name “Bethesda” means “house of mercy” or “place where mercy was poured out”.
• The sick people waited for the angel to come and stir and agitate the water and then the first one in would get healed.

Suppositions about the man:

• This man had been in this condition 38 years.
• We can assume that he first went there with faith in his heart that he would get healed, but maybe over time, he had lost hope
• He had seen many of his friends get healed and yet he was still lying there.

John 5:6 (NKJV)  When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”

Jesus walks up on the scene and sees the man lying there.

Jesus always sees more than just the outward circumstances – he sees what is going on in the inside of the man.

1 Samuel 16:7 (NKJV)  But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

• Jesus could see this man’s heart.
• He could see that the man had faith at one time but had lost hope of being healed
• Jesus asks the man a very unusual question, “Do you want to be made well?”
• This question is very important.
• After a long time of waiting and lying there in the same sick condition, year after year, he had begun to adapt to his circumstances.
• He thought and acted like a sick person.
• All of his friends were sick people that had been lying there with him.
• All of their conversations must have been about their conditions and what they were feeling that day.
• Someone had been providing for him – food, clothing, etc.
• Once he was healed, he would have to begin assuming some responsibility.
• He would have to get a job.
• He might have to get some education.
• He would have to get some new friends and become a healthy member of society.
• Jesus was really asking him, “Do you really want me to radically change your life? Do you want everything in your life to be transformed?

• Receiving healing was not just about feeling better.

Many people today say they want to change and experience Jesus’ miracle working power in their lives – until they really understand what will be required of them

They have grown accustomed to their dysfunction, their sickness, or their financial situation.

To leave these would be to leave what they understand as normal and that with which they have grown comfortable. 

Look at how the man responded to Jesus’ question:

John 5:7 (NKJV)  The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”

• The man offered a detailed excuse as to why he was still sick and in the condition that he was.
• Many times, I have seen people do the same thing when asked a similar question.
• “I would be changed but my husband…” or “I would be changed but my wife…” or “My boss…”

Perhaps we have not received our miracle because we are not through making excuses and being willing to change to the new well condition.

Jesus then seeing through the man’s excuses gives him a command of faith.

John 5:8-10 (NKJV)  Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.”  (9)  And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.  (10)  The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.”

• One thing to note is that the religious leaders were blinded and offended at the miracle this man had received.
• Instead of seeing God’s goodness, they saw him violating the rules.
• Not everyone is going to celebrate with you that you have decided to change your situation and receive your miracle.
• Don’t let that stop you from receiving your miracle – make up your mind you will receive what God has for you and transform your life.

The Greek word for “cured” is the word “therapeuo” which is where we get the word “therapy”. This word means a healing touch that requires corresponding action.

Think about it, someone gets some kind of surgery such as knee replacement or hip replacement, it usually requires physical therapy to aid in the healing process.

Jesus did not just release His miracle-working power, the man responded to it with corresponding action to cooperate with and confirm the healing process.

You do not have to wait 38 years for your situation to change. When the man obeyed Jesus’ instruction the power of God took root in him, and he was completely healed. After 38 years, this man’s time had come. Your time has come too!

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

The miracle working God of the Old Testament is still a miracle working God today!

Psalms 77:14 (TLB)  You are the God of miracles and wonders! You still demonstrate your awesome power.

Job 5:9 (NLT)  He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles.

Jeremiah 32:27 (NIV)  “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me!

Do you believe in faith healing? I sure do!!

Mark 5:24-26 (NKJV)  So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.  (25)  Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years,  (26)  and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.  

• The Woman’s condition was critical.
• She spent all that she had with no improvement.
• She lived in isolation because of the Levitical Law – She was considered unclean.

Mark 5:27-34 (NKJV)  When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.  (28)  For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”  (29)  Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.  (30)  And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?”  (31)  But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”  (32)  And He looked around to see her who had done this thing.  (33)  But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.  (34)  And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”

Four Keys to receiving a miracle from Jesus: 

1. Find what the Word says about your situation.

1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV)  Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  (15)  And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

Remember, faith begins where the will of God is known.

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Mark 5:27 (NKJV)  When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.

The woman heard and saw Jesus ministering to people there in Capernaum.

Matthew 14:34-36 (NKJV) When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. (35) And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, (36) and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

This was recorded after the woman was healed but could it have been that this reputation was already known of Jesus before she was healed?

Malachi 4:2 (NKJV) But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves.

The “wings” of the garment were the corners. The corners of the garment represented the identity of the person wearing them.

What does God’s Word say about your situation?

You may have to extend some effort to discover this but it will be worth it. There is not one circumstance that we can face that is not addressed by the Word of God.

Anything worth receiving is worth pursuing.

2. Meditate in the scriptures from God’s Word.

 To meditate simply means to imagine your life being lived out in line with God’s Word. Learn to picture that in your mind.

 Change what you are seeing or the vision that you have for your life.

3. Speak God’s Word.

 Mark 5:28 (NKJV)  For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”

The word “said” here in the Greek is saying repetitiously. She spoke what she believed over and over again building her confidence in her being healed.

Romans 4:20-21 (NKJV)  He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,  (21)  and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

In the Greek, the word “convinced” or “persuaded” means to be filled to the full.

Maybe, part of the reason we struggle with the believing and the doing is because we are not spending enough time in the saying and the seeing to GET FULL.

Keep the Word of God in your mouth all the time.

 Read the scriptures that you found over and over again so that you can hear yourself say them.

 You may not always believe what you hear other people say but you always believe what you say.

 Example of someone that is prone to lie a lot – they eventually will believe their own lies.

Perhaps she spent so much time saying and seeing, that is what prompted her to the doing.

4. Act on God’s Word.

 Make sure that you have corresponding action that lines up with the Word of God.

James 2:17 (NIV)  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

 James 2:17 (AMP) So also faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead).

 Mark 5:34 (NKJV)  And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”

 “Daughter, your faith has healed you…”

Jesus was anointed with the healing anointing all the time. He said so in Luke 4. If when the anointing is present it will automatically address any need present, then why did not any of those other people that were pressing into Jesus receive from that anointing? Surely there were others present that had physical needs that could have been addressed. No, it took her faith reaching to receive that activated the anointing in Jesus.

It was her faith that received from that anointing that was present to heal.

 We use our faith to give action to the power of God.

There is nothing wrong with wanting a touch from the Lord. He will do that sometimes in our moments of weakness or weariness. But there are other times when we are going to have to touch Him with our faith in order to release the anointing to address our need.

 Faith is the activator of the anointing that allows it to move in our lives.

 John G. Lake said that the anointing is the power of God much like electricity is power in the natural realm.

 Electricity has always been present in creation, but it was not until man learned how to work with it that it began to be a blessing to humanity and meet the needs of people.

 Electricity is not automatic. There must be a connection to it in order for it to be released and activated in our lives. Faith is the connection that connects us to the anointing of God to address our human needs.

 When healing is ministered by a tangible anointing, the power of God is present to heal, but the person has a part to play too. It’s the person’s faith that gives action to the healing power of God that is transmitted to him, say by the laying on of hands. 

 The same anointing for miracles and healing that was on Jesus in that day, is contained in His Word that we possess.

 The anointing and faith in God’s Word both yield the same results – Healing! 

What is a miracle?

• A miracle is a Divine intervention in the ordinary course of nature.

The miracle working God of the Old Testament is still a miracle working God today!

Psalms 77:14 (TLB)  You are the God of miracles and wonders! You still demonstrate your awesome power.

Job 5:9 (NLT)  He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles.

Jeremiah 32:27 (NIV)  “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?

Matthew 8:1-3 (NKJV)  When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him.  (2)  And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”  (3)  Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

• Most people do not question Jesus’ ability to do miracles. But they do question His willingness where they are concerned.
• Faith begins where the will of God is known.
• The ability to receive a miracle begins where the will of God for you is known.

Who Will Jesus Heal?

1. Jesus healed someone who did not even know Him. 

Matthew 15:21-28 (NKJV)  Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  (22)  And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”  (23)  But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.”  (24)  But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”  (25)  Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”  (26)  But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”  (27)  And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”  (28)  Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. 

This woman acknowledged Jesus when she said, “Yes Lord,”. 

A healing miracle is such a powerful and personal thing that it shows the character of God and He uses it to prove that He is the One True God and He genuinely loves people.

2. Jesus healed those that were outcast from society.

Luke 17:11-19 NKJV  Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.  (12)  Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off.  (13)  And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”  (14)  So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.  (15)  And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God,  (16)  and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.  (17)  So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?  (18)  Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”  (19)  And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”

3.  Jesus heals those who are left behind because of their disease.

(Mark 2:1-5 NKJV)  And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house.  [2]  Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them.  [3]  Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men.  [4]  And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.  [5]  When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”  

(Mark 2:10-12 NKJV) [10]  But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic,  [11]  “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”  [12]  Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Life had left this man behind because of his paralysis. He was always at the mercy of everyone else. Thank God for the friends he had.

4.  Jesus heals the one who was limited because of disease.

(Mark 3:1-5 NKJV)  And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand.  [2]  So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.  [3]  And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.”  [4]  Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent.  [5]  And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.

The religious leaders were more concerned about whether Jesus was going to break the law than they were about the man being healed.

5. Jesus healed the man from his mental illness. 

(Sickness and disease can affect someone mentally as well as physically.)

 Mark 5:1-20 (NKJV)  Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes.  [2]  And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,  [3]  who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains,  [4]  because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him.  [5]  And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.  [6]  When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him.  [7]  And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.”  [8]  For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!”  

Mark 5:1-20 (NKJV) Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind… 

6. Jesus heals those conditions that are long standing and that maybe you have learned to live with.

Luke 13:10-13 NKJV  Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.  (11)  And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up.  (12)  But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.”  (13)  And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

Luke 13:16 NKJV  So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?”

7.  Jesus wants to heal people so that they can have some normality in their lives and not have their lives revolve around some kind of sickness.

(Mark 5:21-24 NKJV)  Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea.  [22]  And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet  [23]  and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.”  [24]  So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.

(Mark 5:35-43 NKJV)  While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”  [36]  As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.”  [37]  And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.  [38]  Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly.  [39]  When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.”  [40]  And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying.  [41]  Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”  [42]  Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement.  [43]  But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.

The commandment to not say something had nothing to with what Jesus was doing or had done or even the effect on His ministry. The reason He said this was that they had been amazed with a great amazement.

He had just healed a twelve year old girl and actually raised her up from the dead. In the eyes of the people she could have become a spectacle and been harassed for the rest of her life. The nature of people is that for the rest of her life there would have been whispers about her and what she had experienced. Plainly put, Jesus wanted her to have a normal life as a little girl, a teenager and then a young woman. He said to give her something to eat. He wanted to restore to her normality in her life.

• It does not matter what the condition is or how great or how small, He cares about it and wants us to be healed.

Mark 6:4-5 NKJV  But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.”  [5]  Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.

Their unbelief did limit Jesus in what He was able to do there. BUT he still healed some LITTLE physical problems.

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

Jesus is the same miracle working Jesus today, that we read about in the Bible. He has not changed and will never change.

Matthew 11:4-5 NKJV Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: (5) The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

According to the Book of Acts, the miracles that Jesus did were good.

Acts 10:38 NKJV how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

The miracle working God of the Old Testament is still a miracle working God today!

Psalms 77:14 NIV You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.

Psalms 77:14 TLB You are the God of miracles and wonders! You still demonstrate your awesome power.

Job 5:9 NLT He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles.

Jeremiah 32:27 NIV “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?

To begin to see and understand God’s miracle working power, there are some things about Him we need to understand:

John 4:24 NKJV God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

You cannot worship God just in the outward sense because God is a Spirit and you must make a spiritual connection with Him by worshiping Him in the spirit.

God is not a physical being at all, although He is very real.

God created this natural physical world out of the world in which He lives called the spirit world.

He created this world out of His Word.

Hebrews 11:3 NKJV By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

If I limit my scope of my understanding to the natural realm, I can never really begin to understand God or the realm in which He lives.

1 Corinthians 2:14 TPT Someone living on an entirely human level rejects the revelations of God’s Spirit, for they make no sense to him. He can’t understand the revelations of the Spirit because they are only discovered by the illumination of the Spirit.The natural man says, “I will not believe in it unless I can prove it by feeling it, seeing it, etc.” He says, “I have to prove it in order to believe it.”

There is a spiritual world that the natural man cannot understand.

The power of God has superiority over any of the natural laws that are in operation on the earth.

Romans 8:2 NKJV For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

The very first thing we see that Jesus did in the Gospels, was to show His superiority over the natural.

John 2:1-10 NKJV On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. (2) Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. (3) And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” (4) Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” (5) His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” (6) Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. (7) Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. (8) And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. (9) When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. (10) And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”

Jesus had never worked a miracle up to this point so Mary probably was not expecting a miracle. But He was full of wisdom and His mother knew that He could solve the problem.

Water pots were at a minimum of 20 – 30 gallons. We are talking about close to 180 gallons of water and it took quite a while to fill them up and the pots were very heavy. This took a lot of work.

We think it would be easier to turn the water into wine because it is a liquid but that is not true. Jesus could have turned air into wine as easy as it was to turn water into the wine.

Jesus had them fill the water pots because He wanted them to be involved in the process of God’s power showing up to change the situation.

God could do everything that He ever wanted to do without us because He is God and could leave us out.

He chooses to bring us into the process and let us have a part in what is going on.

God wants to work WITH us in His plan in the earth but He must have faith to work with for that to happen.

Faith is the invitation we give God for Him to move in our situation the way He wants to and we need Him to.

John 2:11 NKJV (11) This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

Notice in verse 11, it says that because of this miracle, His disciples believed on Him and it was because they were involved.

Matthew 18:2-4 NKJV Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, (3) and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. (4) Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Little children intrinsically trust that they will be taken care of. This is the way that we should be in our faith in God.

Jesus was showing us that we must approach the Kingdom of God as a little child believes without any hesitation and question.

Why is faith such a big deal to God?

God wants to work with us all through faith to be able to get His power over into our lives so that He can make the difference He wants to make.

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

Jesus is the same miracle working Jesus today, that we read about in the Bible. He has not changed and will never change.