MIRACLE 35. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RESURRECTION.

 

THE MIRACLES OF JESUS

 

MIRACLE 35. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RESURRECTION.

 

Bible Reading: Romans 1:4. See also 1 Corinthians 15.

          “And declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”

 

    Here is the 35^TH recorded miracle of Jesus.

Some contemporary “theologians” have argued that it does not matter whether the resurrection of Jesus was literal and historical or not. They claim that a “spiritual” resurrection is all that is required.

What mattered is not whether Jesus’ body was raised and transformed. What mattered is that the disciples believed that Jesus was raised. What mattered is that they experienced Him in a different way than when He lived among them.

But the Bible makes it noticeably clear that the resurrection of Jesus was a literal resurrection of the material body, and that the Resurrection took place in space and time as a true historical event. Roman 1:4 reminds us that by His resurrection Jesus was “declared to be the Son of God with power.”

The Resurrection is the capstone miracle, which confirms once, and forever Jesus’ claim to be God the Son, and Son of God. The apostle Paul provides a thorough discussion of the Resurrection in chapter 15 of his first letter to the Corinthians.

Tracing that discussion, we gain some insight into both the nature of Jesus’ resurrection, and its importance to our faith.

 

1.    Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection are all historical events prophesied in the Old Testament, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.

“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”

 

This is important, as prophecy which has been fulfilled has always been fulfilled literally. We can conclude from this that the death of Jesus was a real death, and the resurrection of Jesus was a real, historical resurrection.

 

2.    Christ was seen alive after His resurrection by many witnesses who knew Him, and who could not have been deceived, 1 Corinthians 15:5-11.

5. “And that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.”

6. “After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remains to the present, but some have fallen asleep.”

7. “After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.”

8. “Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.”

9. “For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.”

10. “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

11. “Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.”

 

Paul not only mentions the Twelve, but also some 500 others, most of whom were alive when Paul wrote the Corinthian letter.

 

3.    Christ’s was raised as the first of many, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20.

12. “Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?”

13. “But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen.”

14. “And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty, and your faith is also empty.”

15. “Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up, if in fact the dead do not rise.”

16. “For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen.”

17. “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!”

18. “Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.”

19. “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.”

20. “But now Christ is risen from the dead and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

 

Christian faith promises resurrection to all who believe in Jesus. If Christ was not raised, this essential promise is an empty one. On the other hand, because Jesus did experience a bodily resurrection, our own future resurrection is assured.

 

4.    The Resurrection is a critical element in God’s eternal plan to destroy death itself, 1 Corinthians 15:21-28.

21. “For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.”

22. “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.”

23. “But each one in his own order: Christ the first fruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming.”

24. “Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.”

25. “For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.”

26. “The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.”

27. “For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says, “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted.”

28. “Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.”

 

Adam’s sin introduced death. Biblically “death” is not only the end of natural life.

It is also that corruption of human moral nature which separates human beings from God and brings them under divine judgment. In dying Jesus paid the penalty for our sins.

In His resurrection Jesus provided eternal life for those who believe in Him. When God’s plan reaches its conclusion believers will be resurrected also, and the last stain of sin and death will be forever done away.

The dynamic power of Jesus’ resurrection life will accomplish the resurrection transformation of believers that once again God may be all in all.

 

5.    While mortal and resurrection bodies are related, the resurrection body is of a different order, 1 Corinthians 15:35-48.   

35. “But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?”

36. “Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies.”

37. “And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain, perhaps wheat or some other grain.”

38. “But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.”

39. “All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.” 40. “There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.”

41. “There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.”

42. “So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption.”

43. “It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.”

44. “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.”

45. “And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.”

46. “However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.”

47. “The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.”

48. “As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly.”

 

The great apostle struggles to find likenesses that will help us understand resurrection.

In a real sense, we will never understand the glorious vision God holds up to us until the final resurrection comes. Yet Paul does suggest a series of contrasts which helps us sense something of the transformation that took place when Christ was raised, and that will take place when we are raised from the dead.

 

A. Corruption vs. incorruption, 1 Corinthians 15:42.

“So also, is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption.”

The natural body is subject to conclusion. The resurrection body is not.

 

B. Dishonor vs. glory, 1 Corinthians 15:43.

“It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.”

The contrast is explained in the verse. Our natural body is weak and subject to all sorts of disabilities. The resurrection body is infused with power.

 

C. Natural body vs. spiritual body, 1 Corinthians 15:44.

“It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.”

This contrast points out that our mortal body is governed by principles understood in the material universe. In contrast, the resurrection body operates on principles that are supernatural, i.e., “spiritual.”

 

D. Earthly source vs. heavenly source, 1 Corinthians 15:47-49.

“The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.”

“As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly.”

“And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.”

The first man, Adam, was molded from the earth, and his material body was infused with life by God. But Christ’s origin is heaven itself, as is the origin of the transformation that produced His resurrection body. In the same sense the essence and origin of our resurrection bodies will be heavenly. In the resurrection “we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.”

The bodily resurrection of Jesus is most certainly one of the three Grand Miracles of our faith. The literal, bodily resurrection of Jesus also serves as a miraculous confirmation of our own destiny, and as such is foundational to genuine Christian faith.

 

Conclusion:

 

We have looked at one of the recorded miracles of Jesus. Here was the 35^th recorded miracle of Jesus.

 

 

MIRACLE 34. WONDERS AT CALVARY.

 

THE MIRACLES OF JESUS

 

MIRACLE 34. WONDERS AT CALVARY.

 

Bible Reading: Isaiah 53:1-12.

           

1. “Who has believed our report?

    And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

   

2. For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,

    And as a root out of dry ground.

    He has no form or comeliness.

    And when we see Him,

    There is no beauty that we should desire Him.

   

3. He is despised and rejected by men,

    A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.

    And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him.

    He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

 

 4. Surely, He has borne our griefs

    And carried our sorrows.

    Yet we esteemed Him stricken,

    Smitten by God and afflicted.

 

5. But He was wounded for our transgressions,

    He was bruised for our iniquities.

    The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,

    And by His stripes we are healed.

   

6. All we like sheep have gone astray.

    We have turned, everyone, to his own way.

    And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

 

 7. He was oppressed, and He was afflicted,

    Yet He opened not His mouth.

    He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,

    And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,

    So, He opened not His mouth.

  

8. He was taken from prison and from judgment,

    And who will declare His generation?

    For He was cut off from the land of the living.

    For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.

  

9. And they made His grave with the wicked--

    But with the rich at His death,

    Because He had done no violence,

    Nor was any deceit in His mouth.

 

       10. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him.

    He has put Him to grief.

    When You make His soul an offering for sin,

    He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days,

    And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.

   

       11.  He shall see the labour of His soul and be satisfied.

    By His knowledge, My righteous Servant shall justify many,

    For He shall bear their iniquities.

   

        12. Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great,

    And He shall divide the spoil with the strong,

    Because He poured out His soul unto death,

    And He was numbered with the transgressors,

    And He bore the sin of many,

    And made intercession for the transgressors.”

 

Here is the 34^TH recorded miracle of Jesus. Jesus performed no miracle while on the cross, but His death was accompanied by wonders.

It is fitting to note several wonders associated with the death of Jesus on the cross. These, like His miracles, were extraordinary events with a religious purpose caused by God.

 

1.    The cross is one focus of fulfilled prophecy.

 

It is a wonder indeed that hundreds of years before Jesus came to earth; His crucifixion was described in detail.

Psalm 22 was acknowledged to be messianic long before Christ was born. It contains the following verses:

“My God, My God, why have

You have forsaken Me” verse 1.

“They shoot out the lip, they shake

the head, saying,

“He trusted in the Lord, let Him

rescue Him.

Let Him deliver Him, since He

delights in Him” verses 7-8.

“They pierced My hands and My feet” verse 16.

“They divide My garments among them,

And for My clothing they cast lots” verse 18.

As we read the Gospels, we discover that each of these verses describes something that was said or something that happened at Calvary.

1.    Isaiah describes Jesus’ death in the company of criminals (Isaiah 53:9, 12).

2.    Isaiah predicting that He would be buried in a rich man’s tomb (Isaiah 53:9).

3.    Psalm 34:20 predicts that none of Jesus’ bones would be broken. This is a striking prediction, for the legs of the thieves with whom He died were broken to hasten their deaths (John 19:32-33).

These and other prophecies fulfilled at Calvary on the day Jesus died are one of the wonders of God’s Word. They remind us that the Cross was always a central element in God’s plan and that the death of Jesus was command by the Father, not by human beings.

To find the meaning of the Cross, we must understand it not as a tragedy, but as the key to God’s triumph over Satan, sin, and death.

 

2.    The wonder of the torn veil.

 

Matthew reports that now of Jesus’ death the veil of the temple was “torn in two from top to bottom” Matthew 27:51. The same event is reported in Mark 15:38 and Luke 23:45.

The veil that hung between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies in the temple was a thick, woven tapestry of multiple coloured strands. No known force could rip it apart.

The veil was also spiritually important. Only once a year could the high priest go behind this veil, and then he carried sacrificial blood to sprinkle on the cover of the sacred Ark of the Covenant as atonement for Israel’s sins.

The writer of the book of Hebrews reveals that the veil which separated the two inner rooms of the temple indicated that “the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest” Hebrews 9:8. The veil cut off not only the people but even the priests from direct access to God. It was a symbol of the reality that no avenue of approach to God existed in Old Testament times.

But with the death of Christ, a radical change took place. He took our sins upon Himself and opened the way to God through His sacrifice. And so, the writer of Hebrews declares, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” Hebrews 4:16.

The wonder of the torn veil symbolizes the end of one age and the beginning of another. In this new age, all believers can enter the holiest of all boldly and with confidence, knowing that God’s throne is a throne of grace for all.

 

3.    The wonder of the opened graves Matthew 27:52-53.

“And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.”

 

          Matthew alone reports this extraordinary event. He indicates that an earthquake struck the area now of Jesus’ death, opening several graves. Many of the saints were restored to life and seen in Jerusalem after Jesus’ resurrection.

The implications of this wonder are clear. Jesus’ death brought life to some who had been dead. What a symbol of victory over death and of the resurrection life that Jesus offers to all who trust him as Saviour.

 

4.    EASTER MIRACLES, AND BEYOND.

 

Each Gospel devotes much of its space to the story of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion. Yet each Gospel account ends on a note of triumph.

Jesus has been falsely accused and disgustingly murdered. Yet death cannot hold Jesus. In an unmatched exercise of the power of God, Jesus is raised from the dead!

The account of events on and beyond the first Easter focus our attention on several wonders associated with the Resurrection, which is the greatest wonder of all. As we look first at the associated wonders and then at the Resurrection itself, we realize how utterly central the bodily resurrection of our Lord is to authentic Christian faith.

 

5.    WONDERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RESURRECTION.

 

A. The tomb’s stone seal was rolled away Matthew 28:2; Mark 16:1-3; Luke 24:1-2.

 

The tombs of wealthy first century Jews like Joseph of Arimathea, where Jesus’ body was placed, were cut into rock cliffs. Such tombs generally had several places carved into the rock, where the bones of several generations of the family could be stored. These tombs were sealed by large stone “wheels,” which would be rolled along a track cut into the rock to seal the tomb.

When on the first Easter morning several women set out for Jesus’ tomb to wrap His body in linen strips interwoven with sweet-smelling spices, they worried. How could they roll away the heavy stone that sealed the tomb?

When they arrived at the tomb, they discovered the tomb already opened! Matthew tells us that an earthquake had jolted the stone from its track, and an angel had moved it away from the tomb’s opening!

 

B. The guard posted at the tomb was unconscious Matthew 28:4.

“And the guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men.”

 

The Jewish leaders had asked Pilate, the Roman governor, to put a military guard at the tomb. They remembered that Jesus had promised a return to life, and while they did not believe Him, they thought His disciples might try to steal the body.

But the appearance of the angel and the earthquake shocked the military guard into unconsciousness. Later, when they awakened, some of the guard reported what had happened to the chief priests.

These religious leaders who had conspired to see Jesus executed then bribed the soldiers with “a large sum of money” to say that the disciples stole Jesus’ body while they were asleep. The leaders must also have promised the soldiers protection, for the penalty for a Roman soldier who slept while on guard was death.

And, of course, if the disciples had stolen Christ’s body while the soldiers slept, the soldiers could hardly have been credible witnesses.

How would they know what happened if they were asleep? Like most political cover-ups, this attempt to confuse the population about Christ’s resurrection was destined to fail.

 

C. Angels informed visitors to the tomb that Jesus had risen from the dead Matthew 28:3; Luke 24:4-7; John 20:12-13.

 

This is a third wonder associated with the Resurrection. One or more angels appeared to groups of women who came to the tomb and testified to Jesus’ resurrection. In each case the angels appeared in their natural, radiant state, rather than as ordinary persons. There could be no mistaking the supernatural character of these witnesses to the raising of Jesus.

 

D. The undisturbed grave clothes John 20:2–10.

 

When Peter and John heard that Jesus’ tomb was empty, they ran to see for themselves. Peter stooped and stepped into the tomb and was stunned by what he saw.

In biblical times bodies were loosely wrapped in strips of linen, and a cloth was placed over the head of the deceased. What Peter saw was the cloths in which Jesus had been wrapped, still in the shape of the body around which they had been done up! But there was no body inside! Jesus had somehow passed through the grave cloths, leaving them as an empty husk!

The apostle John tells us that when he saw this, he believed John 20:8 “Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed.”

 

E. Mary saw Jesus Himself John 20:12-18.

 

Even after Mary had seen the angels at the tomb, she wept uncontrollably. She was still convinced that “they” had taken Jesus away. Then through her tears Mary saw a figure standing nearby.

Supposing him to be the gardener she asked the figure where the body of Jesus had been placed. Jesus then spoke only one word to Mary: her name. Immediately Mary recognized His voice.

 

F. Jesus appeared unrecognized to two disciples on the Emmaus road Luke 24:13-35.

Another striking incident is reported in Luke. As two disciples return to their home in Emmaus from Jerusalem they are joined by an unknown man. The man questions them, and when they share their vanished hopes that Jesus might have been the Christ.

The man leads them through the Old Testament prophets, showing from Scripture that it was foretold that the Christ would suffer as Jesus had!

On arriving home, the two travellers invited the stranger to take a meal with them. As the stranger broke the bread and gave thanks for it, in the traditional Jewish table blessing, they suddenly realized that their companion was Jesus Himself, raised from the dead. Jesus then disappeared, and the two hurried back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples that Jesus was alive.

 

G. Jesus appeared in a locked room (Luke 24:36–43; Mark 16:14).

 

The text tells us that Jesus came to His disciples and spoke with them personally shortly after the Resurrection. Luke adds a fascinating detail. The room where the disciples had gathered was a locked room, where the disciples were hiding for fear of the religious leaders who had controlled Jesus’ death.

The sudden appearance of Jesus in the room is one of the proofs that the resurrection body is not limited in the way our mortal bodies are limited. Jesus appeared and disappeared at will, most likely freely crossing the barrier between the material and spiritual universes which no mortal can cross.

 

H. Jesus’ resurrection body bore the marks of crucifixion in its hands and side John 20:24-31.

 

The disciple Thomas had not been present the first time Jesus appeared to the gathered disciples. He would not believe the report of the others that Christ had shown Himself to them, alive. Thomas honestly stated that he would not believe unless he touched Jesus’ hands and side and confirmed that the One who now lived was indeed the same One who had been crucified.

Yet when Jesus did appear, and invited Thomas to touch His wounds, Thomas found he did not need this confirmation after all.

Thomas knew Jesus, and fell before him, confessing “My Lord and my God.”

These events, each intricately linked to that first Easter morning, were wonders indeed. Yet they pale in comparison to the event with which they are associated: the literal, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 

Conclusion:

 

We have looked at one of the recorded miracles of Jesus. Here was the 34^th recorded miracle of Jesus.

 

 

MIRACLE 33. JESUS RESTORES MALCHUS’S EAR.

 

THE MIRACLES OF JESUS

 

MIRACLE 33. JESUS RESTORES MALCHUS’S EAR.

 

Bible Reading: Matthew 26:51-56.  

51. “And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.”

52. “But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”

53. “Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?”

54. “How then the Scriptures could be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?”

55. “In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me.”

56. “But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.”

 

Bible Reading: Mark 14:46-47.

14:46. “Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him.”

14:47. “And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.”

 

 

Bible Reading: Luke 22:50-51.

22:50. “And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.”

22:51. “But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him.”

 

Bible Reading: John 18:10-11.

18:10. “Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.”

18:11. “So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”

 

Here is the 33^RD recorded miracle of Jesus. When Peter struck a member of the mob that had come to take Jesus, he cut off part of the ear of a man named Malchus. Jesus touched the ear and healed it.

 

1.    Background of the miracle.

 

Jesus’ last miracle before His death was performed on the night of His capture and trial, just hours before His crucifixion. A mob led by Judas arrested Him on the Mount of Olives in the garden of Gethsemane.

Only John, who was from a wealthy family which maintained a large house in Jerusalem, names Malchus. He was “the” servant of the high priest, an important official in his own right and clearly a person whom John knew.

It is strange that Jesus’ last miracle of healing was performed for an enemy who had come with the mob to make sure Christ was arrested.

 

2.    Parties to the miracle.

 

The miracle is not the focus of the story, but it seems almost an aside. Judas led a mob to Gethsemane to take Jesus prisoner. Peter, named only in John’s Gospel, resisted the arrest, and struck out with his weapon, cutting off part of Malchus’s ear. Jesus restored the ear, then told His disciples not to resist and left with the crowd as they went back to Jerusalem.

 

A. Jesus.

Although He was being arrested, Jesus was clearly in command of the situation.

 

 

 

B. Peter.

Frightened by the crowd, Peter drew a weapon and struck one of the mobs that had come to take Jesus away.

 

C. Malchus.

As an important official of the Jewish high priest, Malchus was probably in charge of the detail which had come to bring Jesus in for trial. He was attending by a mob carrying torches and weapons.

 

3.    How the story unfolds.

 

Jesus had finished a time of prayer and returned to His disciples when a mob led by Judas appeared. Judas pointed out Jesus. As the mob surged forward to seize Him, Peter drew a weapon and struck at the group. He cut off part of the ear of the servant of the high priest, whom John identified as Malchus.

Jesus told Peter to put his sword back in its place. Jesus could have called legions of angels to defend Him. But the Scriptures had to be fulfilled, so it was necessary that He be taken away.

 

A. “Drew his sword” Matthew 26:51.

The word for “sword” and “knife” is the same in Greek, so we cannot be sure what kind of weapon Peter used. He attacked the crowd with it to defend Jesus.

 

B. “Cut off his ear” Matthew 26:51.

Mark uses the exceedingly small Greek word otarion for ear, suggesting that perhaps only the ear lobe was cut off. This would explain why Luke 22:51 indicates that Jesus healed the ear rather than reattaching it. In any case, this was a gracious miracle which He performed for an enemy.

 

C. “Put your sword in its place” Matthew 26:52.

Luke 22:38 indicates the disciples had two swords, and 22:49 points out that other disciples were only awaiting Jesus’ word to fight back. But Peter did not wait for Jesus’ command; he drew his weapon and struck! This was so like Peter.

Peacekeepers have argued for non-resistance from this passage; while their opponents have noted that Jesus told Peter to put his sword back, not throw it away. But this account of Jesus’ arrest is hardly one on which to base arguments over peacekeeping Jesus Himself said He could have called on legions of angels to fight for Him if this had been God’s will.

Christ allowed Himself to be taken so “the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus” Matthew 26:54.

4.    The meaning of the miracle.

 

This last miracle, taking place just before Jesus was arrested and sentenced to death, is a striking reminder. Christ was not forced to the cross. He was never overpowered by His opponents. He could have escaped the fate they intended for Him at any time.

Jesus’ last miracle was a warning to His accusers, who refused to believe His claims to be the Christ, despite the evidence of His signs and wonders. As Jesus warned them during His trial, “I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven” Matthew 26:64.

Those who refuse to accept healing at Jesus’ hand will surely face His judgment.

 

Conclusion:

 

We have looked at one of the recorded miracles of Jesus. Here was the 33^RD recorded miracle of Jesus.

 

 

MIRACLE 32. JESUS CURSES A FIG TREE.

 

THE MIRACLES OF JESUS

 

MIRACLE 32. JESUS CURSES A FIG TREE.

 

Bible Reading: Matthew 21:17-22.  

17. “Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and He lodged there.”

18. “Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry.”

19. “And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.”

20. “And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?”

21. “So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, “Be removed and be cast into the sea,” it will be done.”

22. “And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

23. “Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?”

24. “But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.”

 

Bible Reading: Mark 11:12-14, 20-24.

12. “Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry.”

13. “And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.”

14. “In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard it.”

 

20. “Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.”

21. “And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”

22. “So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.”

23. “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be removed and be cast into the sea,” and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.”

24. “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

 

Here is the 32^nd recorded miracle of Jesus. Jesus cursed a fig tree whose leaves promised some fruit it had not produced.

 

1.    Background of the miracle.

 

Fig leaves appear around the same time as the fruit, or a little after. Thus, the fact that this tree was in leaf should have indicated it was also bearing fruit, although it was not yet the season for figs (Mark 11:13). The tree’s appearance promised something which it did not deliver.

Most interpreters take this miracle as an acted-out parable. The fig tree represents Israel, which had the appearance of bearing fruit but which in fact was barren. Jesus cursed the tree not because of its failure to bear fruit but because its appearance was a lie.

The tree’s leaves advertised a fruitfulness that did not exist, just as Israel’s outward honouring of God and His law advertised a relationship with the Lord which they did not have. When it was cursed by Jesus, the fig tree withered. Its appearance at last matched the reality of its fruitless state. How soon Israel would also wither.

In a.d. 70, just a few short decades after this incident, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem.

With its temple destroyed, the priesthood set aside, and its familiar worship patterns forever lost, the nation of Israel withered indeed.

While Matthew’s arrangement of this account is newsworthy, Mark provides an in-order account. Between the cursing of the fig tree and its withering, Jesus cleansed the temple, an event which showed the bareness of Israel’s worship.

 

2.    Parties to the miracle.

 

The story mentions only Jesus, His disciples, and the fig tree.

 

A. Jesus.

This is the only event in the Gospels in which Jesus used His power to destroy rather than to heal or restore. The withering of the fig tree reminds us that God is not only a God of grace but a God of judgment as well.

 

B. The disciples.

The disciples were amazed when the tree that Jesus cursed withered away so quickly. Their question about how this was possible led to a brief teaching by Jesus on prayer.

 

C. The fig tree.

The fig tree is an image of Israel, just like the vineyard of Isaiah 5:1-7 and the figs of Jeremiah 8:13 and 24:1-8. The “sin” of the fig tree was to make a show of fruitfulness when in fact it was barren, even as Israel’s response to Jesus revealed the spiritual emptiness of God’s people.

 

3.    How the story unfolds.

 

Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem the day after His triumphal entry when He saw a fig tree with leaves but no fruit. Jesus cursed the tree, declaring, and “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again” Mark 11:14.

In Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple and drove out those who “bought and sold” in it. The temple was supposed to be “a house of prayer for all the nations,” but God’s people had made it a “den of thieves” Mark 11:15–17. The scribes and chief priests wanted to kill Jesus, but they hesitated to act out of fear of the people.

The next morning when Jesus and His disciples were returning to the city, Peter pointed out the tree that Jesus had cursed the day before. It had withered away, “dried up from the roots” Mark 11:20.

Jesus used the occasion to encourage His disciples to “have faith in God,” and reminded them that with prayer, even the impossible could become a reality.

 

A. “Jesus went into the temple” Mark 11:15f.

The report of Christ’s second cleansing of the temple (see John 2:13-17) is sandwiched between the two parts of the story of the fig tree. Jesus drove out the moneychangers and the merchants who were buying and selling in the temple court. The temple was supposed to be a house of prayer for all nations. But Israel’s leaders had made it a “den of thieves.”

The temple area referred to in this account was the outer court, or “court of the Gentiles.” The priests supervised the merchants who sold sacrificial animals here and exchanged foreign coins for “temple currency.” These businessmen were permitted to charge a fee of about 4 percent of the value of any money exchanged.

But the high priestly family which controlled the temple at this time was known for its greed. Jesus’ description of the market as a “den of thieves” suggests that these limits had been exceeded.

Even more serious, however, was the corruption of a place which God intended to be set apart as a “house of prayer for all nations” Isaiah 56:7.

Israel’s fig tree had leaves; its temple erected to the glory of God was one of the wonders of the ancient world. But the traffic in the temple court revealed that the practices of her people were barren indeed.

 

B. “Whoever says to this mountain” (Mark 11:22).

The disciples, shocked at the rapid withering of the fig tree, inspired a brief teaching on prayer. In the first century, any great difficulty or impossible task was frequently referred to as a “mountain.” Jesus was speaking symbolically, reminding His disciples that God was able to do what human beings cannot.

We are thus to rely on Him and bring life’s challenges to the Lord. We can have complete confidence that God will deal with the greatest of our difficulties, even though a way out may appear to be as impossible as commanding a mountain to move itself into the sea.

 

4.    The meaning of the miracle.

 

The cleansing of the temple and Jesus’ comments on prayer should not distract our attention from the miracle itself. The barren fig tree, whose leaves promised a fruit which the tree did not produce, was judged by Christ. It would never deceive hungry travellers again.

In a similar way, Israel would also be judged. Its way of life would wither when the temple and its sacrifices were taken away. A different form of Judaism would take the place of its familiar pattern of life and worship. Root and branch, the old would soon be gone.

 

Conclusion:

 

We have looked at one of the recorded miracles of Jesus. Here was the 32^nd recorded miracle of Jesus.

 

 

MIRACLE 31. JESUS GIVES SIGHT TO BLIND BARTIMAEUS.

 

THE MIRACLES OF JESUS

 

MIRACLE 31. JESUS GIVES SIGHT TO BLIND BARTIMAEUS.

 

Bible Reading: Matthew 20:29-34.  

29. “Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him.”

30. “And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!”

31. “Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!”

32. “So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

33. “They said to Him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.”

34. “So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.”

 

See also, Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43.

 

Here is the 31^ST recorded miracle of Jesus. While on the way to Jerusalem and the cross, Jesus stopped to heal a blind beggar.

 

 

 

 

1.    Background of the miracle.

 

There are two important differences in the details given in the three gospel accounts of this miracle.

Mark indicates the miracle took place on the way out of Jericho, while Luke says the miracle occurred when Jesus was entering the city. But in the first century, there were two Jericho’s: old Jericho, which was largely a ruin; and new Jericho, an attractive city built by Herod just to the south of the old town.

Apparently, the miracle took place on the border between the old and new cities, as Jesus was leaving one and entering the other.

1.    Mark and Luke mention only one blind man, whom Mark identifies as Bartimaeus.

2.    Matthew indicates that Jesus healed two blind men.

It is clear from the other details that the Gospel writers describe the same incident, so we can take for granted that Bartimaeus was the more famous of the two

More important than the supposed disagreements are the fact that this last of Jesus’ healing miracles took place on His way to Jerusalem and the cross. In Matthew, this miracle concludes a major section dedicated to the theme of greatness.

Jesus’ disciples had asked about greatness, Matthew 18:1 “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus called a little child and taught, “Whoever humbles himself as this little child” is greatest in the kingdom of heaven Matthew 18:4. After showing the disciples how to live together as God’s little children (Matthew 18:5-35),

Matthew records a series of incidents exposing the fallacy of seeking greatness through keeping the Law (Matthew 19:1-15), through caring works (Matthew 19:16-29), and through relying on works rather than on God’s grace (Matthew 20:1-19).

Then, when two of the disciples sent their mother to ask Jesus for the most important posts in His coming kingdom, Jesus used the occasion to instruct them on true greatness.

The Gentiles thought of greatness as lording it over others. But, Jesus said, “Whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave, just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” Matthew 20:27-28.

Immediately after this, while He was on His way to the cross and burdened with the awareness of His coming fate, Jesus paused in answer to the cry of the blind men and asked, “What do you want Me to do for you?” Matthew 20:32. How clearly this last healing miracle illustrated what Jesus had just taught His disciples.

The genuinely great of God’s kingdom set aside personal burdens and say to others “What do you want Me to do for you?” Like Jesus, the great in God’s kingdom give of themselves to meet other people’s needs.

 

2.    Parties to the miracle.

 

The story in Matthew is told simply, with three major voices.

 

A. Jesus.

Despite His own heavy burden, Jesus stopped to meet the needs of two blind men.

 

B. The blind men.

The blind men realized that someone special was passing by. When they learned it was Jesus, they cried out to Him as “Son of David” and begged for mercy.

 

C. The crowd.

The crowd tried to silence the blind men. Jesus was too important to be bothered by such as them! The crowd thus revealed a lack of concern for individuals which compared with the servant attitude demonstrate by Jesus and to which he calls his followers.

 

3.    How the story unfolds.

 

Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem and the cross. Although the roads were filled with travellers heading to the holy city for Passover, an unusually large crowd was following Him. When two blind men, one of whom was named Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46), realized that Jesus was near, they began to shout. Addressing Jesus by His messianic title as Son of David, they begged for mercy.

The crowd told them to be quiet, but they cried out even louder. Responding to their cries, Jesus stopped and called them to Himself. At that, the crowd’s attitude changed, and they told the blind men to cheer up. Jesus was waiting for them (Mark 10:49)!

Jesus asked the blind men what they wanted, and they told Him they wanted their sight.

Christ, again moved by compassion, touched their eyes (Matthew 20:34) and told them to receive their sight (Luke 18:42), indicating that their faith had made them well.

 

 

A. “They told him” Luke 18:36.

Luke describes the blind man’s curiosity as he heard a large crowd passing by. We can almost hear him asking, “What’s happening? Who is it?”

 

B. “Have mercy… Son of David” Matthew 20:31.

Each account agrees that the blind man/men addressed Jesus as the Son of David. This was a messianic title, reflecting the conclusion reached by Bartimaeus and his companion that this Jesus, of whom they had heard many stories, was indeed the Messiah. He had power to help, so they cried out to Him.

 

C. “Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus” Mark 10:46.

Mark often provides details not mentioned by the other Gospel writers. In this miracle account, Mark alone reports the crowd’s change of attitude (Mark 10:49), revealing that when Bartimaeus realized that Jesus was waiting for him, he discarded his outer cloak to hurry to Jesus (Mark 10:50). It is likely that he had spread the cloak over his knees so passers-by could drop in coins.

In view of Mark’s characteristic attention to such detail, we should not be surprised that he gave the name of one of the two blind beggars.

 

D. “What do you want Me to do for you? Matthew 20:32.

This one sentence sums up the servant attitude which Jesus displayed. This is the attitude which He desires for all who would be genuinely great in His kingdom.

 

E. “What do you want Me to do for you?” Mark 10:51.

There is no question that Jesus knew the need and the cure. Why then did he ask this question?

Some suggest He wanted to increase the blind man’s faith. But it is more likely a reflection of a teaching on prayer found in James 4:2: “You do not have because you do not ask.” Prayer is to be exact. We are to identify our needs and bring them to Jesus, asking Him to meet these needs.

It may be helpful for us when we pray to raise the question Jesus asked. What do we want God to do for us? We must not tell Him how to meet the need. But we must define our needs, and then bring them to Him.

 

F. “Jesus had compassion” Matthew 20:34.

Caring about others is essential if we are to be servants. Jesus was not acting a part. Unlike some whose claims to “feel your pain” is mere swagger Jesus was deeply moved by the suffering of those in need. Servant hood is not technique, but a heart response to others which reflects Jesus’ deep concern.

 

 

G. “They followed Him” Matthew 20:34.

This comment most likely means that the blind men literally followed Jesus up the steep fifteen-mile trail from Jericho to Jerusalem, where Passover was about to be celebrated.

 

H. “All the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God” Luke 18:43.

The road to Jerusalem led through Jericho. Thousands of Jewish families would have passed along it on their way to celebrate the religious festivals in the Holy City. Bartimaeus and his blind friend were probably fixturing in Jericho, known, and recognized by many.

This verse shows that servant hood brings praise to God. The people praised God when they witnessed the miracle. On the other hand, Jesus’ servant hood did not protect Him from that aggression from others which ultimately brought Him to the cross.

 

4.    The meaning of the miracle.

 

Jesus’ last miracle of healing is important in several ways.

1.    The miracle shows what blessings were available if only Israel, like the blind men, had acknowledged Jesus as the Son of David.

2.    It also illustrates Jesus’ servant attitude and serves as an example for us.

Through this miracle, we are also reminded that the key to claiming the blessings that God is eager to pour out is faith in Jesus Christ and His ability to meet our every need.

 

Conclusion:

 

We have looked at one of the recorded miracles of Jesus. Here was the 31^ST recorded miracle of Jesus.