The Miraculous
November 28, 2011
Today’s reading: Matthew 8,9,10 NASB
SCRIPTURE
“(1)Jesus summoned His
twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them
out, and to heal every kind of diseases and every kind of sickness.... (7)as
you go, preach, saying, ‘the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ (8) Heal the sick,
raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received,
freely give.” -Matthew 10:1,7-8 NASB
The Gospel According to Matthew is one
of the four canonical gospels,
one of the three synoptic gospels,
and the first book of the New Testament.
It tells of the life, ministry, death,
and resurrection
of Jesus of Nazareth.
The version we have today was written in Koine Greek.
"Matthew" probably originated in a Jewish-Christian community in
Roman Syria towards the end of the 1st century. The material unique to his own
community, as well as his own experience. The narrative tells how Israel's
Messiah, having been rejected by Israel (i.e., God's chosen people), withdrew
into the circle of his disciples, passed judgment on those who had rejected him
(so that "Israel" becomes the non-believing "Jews"), and
finally sent the disciples to the Gentiles.
As I read chapters eight (8) through
ten (10) several questions came to mind:
1.Do miracles come down to just
stimulating the brain or emotional activity?
2.It seems that Theology implies, ‘the more right you are
with God, the more likely you are to receive a miracle,’ does this line up with
Jesus teachings?
3.Are the miracles Jesus did recorded in historical medical
books (aka: proof) ?
4.How do the miracles of Jesus line up with professed
healers / miracle workers of today?
A foundational belief of mine is that ‘faith and reality go
hand in hand.” It’s from that
foundational premise many of my questions stem. So, let’s dig a bit more and
focus not on the ‘miraculous’ but on the context of Matthew chapters eight (8) through
ten (10).
Okay, this mindset shifts a few things and brings up
additional questions - primarily:
1.What is the purpose of a miracle? A.K.A. Why?
Does it encourage an individual to cultivate a genuine
growing relationship with Jesus Christ which or is the answer found else
where? Jesus words in chapters eight
(8), nine (9), and ten (10) all point towards the end result of individuals
interacting with God. Others would stay that miracles point to a ‘momentary’
glorification of God. While that maybe
true - it seems really small and somewhat self-centered of God. I mean really - God preforms a miracle and
all God desires is ‘momentary’ props?
I find it very intriguing that Jesus miracles are surrounded
with statements like,
(A) “This was to
fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: “He Himself took our
infirmities and carried away our diseases.” -Matthew 8:17 (Purpose:
Connecting the Old Testament with Jesus’ teachings)
(B)“...go and learn
what this means: ‘I desire compassion and not sacrifice,‘ for I did not come to
call the righteous, but sinners.” - Matthew 9:13
(C)”Seeing the people,
He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like
sheep without a shepherd.” -Matthew 9:36
(D)”....whoever in the
name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water
to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lost his reward.” -Matthew 10:42
The miraculous.... Why is the ‘miraculous’ so
interesting? Why is the ‘miraculous’ so
sought after? If the ‘miraculous’ is
really taking place are communities transformed / What is the lasting impact in
the community? Or is the ‘miraculous’
really momentary - meaning, it takes but a second to occur and forgot in the
next? Why then are their multiple
references of ‘miraculous’ acts accounted for in the Gospel’s? What is the
underlying purpose of The ‘Miraculous?’
APPLICATION
1. I think it would be unreal to see the
‘miraculous’ take place first hand and I pray for it; however, I also realize
that I’m not Jesus.
2. Even during the time when Jesus’ lived
‘miraculous’ events were still called the ‘miraculous’ as they occurred through
divine or supernatural intervention, and were highly improbable / extraordinary
and brought very welcome consequences.
3. Often when I look for the ‘miraculous’
(a.k.a. signs / wonders from God) I often don’t see the ‘miraculous’ taking
place around me. What? Is it not ‘miraculous’ that I wake up
everyday? Is it not ‘miraculous‘ that my
heart beats? Is it not ‘miraculous‘ that
people travel at hi-speeds surrounded by sheet metal / plastic and live? Is it not ‘miraculous‘ that I have an
opportunity to reconcile relationships?
Is it not ‘miraculous‘ that an individual would choose to forgive? I mean is it not ‘miraculous’ that the Untied
States Army’s motto is, “No Man Left Behind.”? (Where in historical battle’s is
valor found in caring for another? What
caused a global super power to take on such a motto?)
Bottom line: To seek out a genuine relationship with God -
the source of the ‘miraculous’. Not so
that I will see or experience signs and wonders, but that I would have the
extraordinary opportunity of having a relationship with the Creator of all
things... How ‘miraculous’ is that?
PRAYER
I need make time to interact with You
through Your word on a regular basis. “Be still and know that I am God” - Psalm
46:10 NSAB. To write things down.... To wrestle ideas, concepts, and
statements.... Why? Because, it’s in the
midst of my wrestling that my personal faith becomes reality... much like a
relationship.
God, honestly I’m a skeptic about signs
/ wonders that take place today. I see a
lot of money exchanging hands, individuals being promoted, and a relationship
with you played down. I know this is
straight up ‘judgement’ as I questions the authenticity and honesty of individuals
today; however, I’ve seen a lot of illusionist and emotionalist do things in
the name of God - only to blow in and out of town with NO lasting results.
Help me stay close and connected to You
as I deeply question things. Help me be wise as I walk daily with faith in You
and Your word in the midst of realty.
Once again I clearly see where I fall short. It’s in both shortcomings and my achievements
that I see a real need to be saved from cultural and self imposed
conceptions. So, I choose to press on
and work towards wrestling out things with eternal value because I know that
God is just. - Trevor
What would be your life application to this text?