Our culture seems to have elevated science and reason over ‘faith’.
Making a god of analytical thinking and intellect restricts our comprehension of how much more there is, infinitely beyond what can be seen, touched, or explained naturally. A miracle is when natural laws are inexplicably suspended and an occurrence happens for which there is no earthly explanation; where something considered impossible, proves to be possible. That’s a miracle… where the divine spiritual realm breaks in, transcending the natural physical realm.
Murray Smith
The Bible records many deeds Jesus did in His earthly ministry… healing every type of disease, sickness and infirmity, breaking demonic oppression off people, raising the dead to life, miracles of nature, (calming storms, feeding multitudes), plus other interventions such as angelic visitations and supernatural protection being mentioned.
I’ve been privileged to witness on numerous occasions, many of the same miracles that Jesus performed, which incidentally, He promised His followers they’d do in His Name. Anyone with faith and empowered by Jesus can participate in the outworking of miracles… recognising God’s power alone, makes impossible things possible.
Since a person with an experience is never at the mercy of someone with an argument, I will continue to believe for, and anticipate miracles because it is simply part and parcel of what accompanies authentic, obedient relationship with God. Christianity stripped of the miraculous isn’t Christianity at all. Inexplicably some claiming faith in God believe that miracles and supernatural demonstrations used to occur, but ceased with the close of the first century. Even a casual glance over church history refutes that position, with investigation revealing miracles have continually attended the faithful witness of Jesus’ followers.
I visited a little place called Ardmore in Southern Ireland last year, where in year 448 (just before St.Patrick), an Irish bishop, St. Declan, saw astounding miraculous deeds, recorded by multiple eye witnesses. Described as ‘resplendent in character and diverse in miracles’, Declan was used prolifically in miraculous deeds reminiscent of Jesus’ own ministry.
Our experience with God (or lack of it), determines our expectation of what He might be capable of and willing to do. Having a ‘faith’ stance, believing His promises and trusting in His power, clearly plays a part in miracles happening, while unbelief quenches them.
Jesus entered Nazareth, the place of his upbringing. Here they had no appetite for Jesus performing the miracles being witnessed throughout Israel…these cynical people were derisive… “isn’t this Joseph the carpenter’s son?…he grew up here and his family still live among us…He’s nothing..!” Their challenge of Jesus’ divinity and supernatural authority resulted in them missing a wonderful visitation of God.
Jesus said, “according to your faith, be it unto you..,” suggesting our faith has a part in the release of God’s sovereign interventions into situations. Faith isn’t us doing mental gymnastics to conjure up sufficient belief…it’s simply counting Him trustworthy.
Yes, I believe in miracles. The greatest one being that which occurs when a person surrenders their trust to a God who has stopped at nothing to bring about our salvation. A God who is intimately close, present, willing to restore all things in His great love.
Jesus on the Cross. Photo: pexels.com
