CRS Keypoints: Miracles; Miracles are supernatural events that go beyond the natural order and are attributed to divine intervention. They serve as demonstrations of God’s power and are often associated with Jesus in the New Testament.
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Let’s explore the different types of miracles performed by Jesus and provide notes on each of them, including their classification, occasion, and significance:
CRS Keypoints: Miracles
(a) Nature Miracles:
(i) Stilling the Storm: Jesus calmed a storm while he and his disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee. The occasion was when a great storm arose, causing the disciples to fear for their lives. Jesus rebuked the winds and the sea, bringing about immediate calmness. This miracle showcased Jesus’ authority over nature and his ability to bring peace and safety.
(ii) Feeding of the Five Thousand: Jesus miraculously multiplied a small amount of bread and fish to feed a large crowd of five thousand men, along with women and children. This miracle occurred when the crowd followed Jesus to a remote place, and they grew hungry. Jesus took the available loaves and fish, blessed them, and distributed them, with everyone eating to their fill. The significance of this miracle was twofold: it demonstrated Jesus’ compassion for the physical needs of the people, and it foreshadowed the spiritual nourishment that Jesus provides.
(iii) Walking on the Sea: Jesus walked on water during a stormy night while his disciples were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. Seeing Jesus, the disciples were terrified, thinking he was a ghost. Jesus reassured them and invited Peter to walk on water too, but Peter’s faith faltered, and Jesus saved him from sinking. This miracle highlighted Jesus’ power over natural elements and the need for unwavering faith.
(iv) Changing Water to Wine: Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding in Cana. On this occasion, the hosts ran out of wine, causing embarrassment. Jesus instructed the servants to fill six stone jars with water, which he transformed into wine of exceptional quality. This miracle marked the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry and displayed his power to bring abundance and joy.
(b) Miracles of Resuscitation:
(i) The Raising of Lazarus: Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead in Bethany. Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, was brought back to life when Jesus called him out of the tomb. This miracle showcased Jesus’ power over death and served as a significant sign of his divinity.
(ii) The Raising of Jairus’ Daughter: Jesus raised a young girl, the daughter of Jairus, from the dead. The occasion was when Jairus, a synagogue leader, pleaded with Jesus to come and heal his dying daughter. Despite people saying she was already dead, Jesus took her hand and commanded her to rise, restoring her to life. This miracle revealed Jesus’ authority over death and his compassion for the grieving.
(iii) The Raising of the Widow’s Son at Nain: Jesus encountered a widow in Nain who was mourning the death of her only son. Jesus touched the coffin, and the young man came back to life, causing astonishment among the crowd. This miracle demonstrated Jesus’ power to bring life and hope in the midst of despair.
(c) Healing Miracles:
(i) The Lepers: Jesus healed lepers on multiple occasions, restoring them to wholeness and cleansing them of their disease. Leprosy was considered incurable and socially isolating, but Jesus showed compassion and restored these individuals to their communities.
(ii) The Paralytic at the Pool: Jesus healed a man who had been paralyzed for thirty-eight years at the pool of Bethesda. Jesus instructed him to rise, take up his bed, and walk, instantly granting him the ability to walk.
This miracle revealed Jesus’ power to heal and his authority to forgive sins.
(iii) The Centurion’s Servant: Jesus healed the servant of a Roman centurion who had great faith in Jesus’ authority. The centurion expressed his belief that Jesus could heal his servant even from a distance, and Jesus commended his faith and healed the servant. This miracle emphasized the inclusiveness of Jesus’ healing ministry and the importance of faith.
(iv) The Blind: Jesus restored sight to blind individuals on various occasions, giving them the ability to see. These miracles emphasized Jesus’ power to bring light and spiritual insight, representing his role as the spiritual guide and illuminator.
(d) Exorcism:
(i) The Gerasene (Gadarene) Demoniac: Jesus cast out a legion of demons from a possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes. The man had been living among the tombs and was tormented by the evil spirits. Jesus commanded the demons to leave, and they entered a herd of pigs that subsequently rushed into the sea. This miracle demonstrated Jesus’ authority over the spiritual realm and his ability to bring liberation.
(ii) The Epileptic Boy: Jesus healed a boy with epilepsy who was brought to him by his desperate father. The disciples had been unable to cure the boy, but Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the child. This miracle showcased Jesus’ authority over demonic forces and his compassion for those in need.
Each of these miracles of Jesus serves a unique purpose and reveals different aspects of his divine power, compassion, and authority. They provide evidence of Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and offer hope, healing, and transformation to those who encountered him.
