Lesson 4: Miracles of Jesus

Isaiah 35:5

A prophecy stating that the blind will see and the deaf will hear.

Mark 7:37

Declares that Jesus made the deaf hear and the mute speak.

Motifs of Jesus' Miracles

Deliverance, forgiveness of sins, light, and life.

Prophetic Gestures

Jesus' miracles prefigured the sacraments, especially Baptism and the Eucharist.

Deliverance in Miracles

Jesus' exorcisms showed his power to free people from demonic forces.

Human Existence as a Battlefield

The Gospels depict life as a struggle between God and Satan.

Jesus’ Exorcisms

He commanded demons directly without prayers or rituals.

Gerasene Demoniac

A dramatic exorcism where Jesus cast out a legion of demons (Mark 5:11-20).

Lord’s Prayer Petition

"Deliver us from the evil one" refers to liberation from Satan.

John’s Gospel & Satan

Though no exorcisms are recorded, Jesus calls Satan the "father of lies" (John 8:44).

Miracles as Victories Over Evil

Jesus’ miracles were acts of deliverance and liberation.

Healing of the Paralytic (Mark 2:1-12)

Jesus forgave the man's sins before healing his body.

Forgiveness & Healing

Some miracles symbolized spiritual healing, not just physical restoration.

Luke’s Emphasis on Forgiveness

He linked Jesus' healing miracles with spiritual salvation.

Luke 7:47-50

A sinful woman’s love and repentance led to her forgiveness.

John the Baptist’s Disciples' Question

Jesus listed "the blind see" as his first miracle (Matthew 11:5).

Isaiah 42:6-7 Prophecy

Foretold the Messiah bringing light to the blind and freeing captives.

Mark’s Theme of Spiritual Blindness

The disciples struggled to understand Jesus' mission.

Deaf-Mute & Blind Man Healings

Symbolized Jesus' power to open spiritual ears and eyes.

Caesarea Philippi & Peter’s Confession

Peter recognized Jesus as the Messiah but misunderstood his mission.

Three Passion Predictions in Mark

Jesus emphasized his suffering, but the disciples failed to understand.

Healing of Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52)

A blind man is healed and follows Jesus to Jerusalem.

John 9:1-41

Healing the Man Born Blind

The Blind Man’s Faith Journey

Moves from calling Jesus a man, to a prophet, to Lord and worshiping him.

Jesus as the Light of the World

He opens spiritual eyes, revealing truth and salvation.

John 6: Bread of Life Discourse

Jesus is the living bread that gives eternal life.

The Feeding of the 5000

The only miracle recorded in all four Gospels, foreshadowing the Eucharist.

Miracles & Life

Jesus' miracles emphasized his role as the source of true life.

Raising Jairus’ Daughter & Healing the Bleeding Woman

Contrasts social status but unites in Jesus’ life-giving power.

Personal Encounters in Healing

Jesus wanted to personally meet those he healed.

Mark 5:21-43

The stories of the bleeding woman and Jairus' daughter highlight Jesus' power over life and death.

Modern Advertising & "Life"

Many ads promise a better life, but only Jesus truly satisfies.

Jesus as the Ultimate Life-Giver

Welcoming Jesus means receiving true and eternal life.

Skepticism About Miracles

Some dismiss them as legends or exaggerations by early Christians.

Miracles & the Kingdom of God

Jesus' miracles were signs of God's reign and salvation.

Mark’s Emphasis on Miracles

Nearly half of Mark’s Gospel focuses on Jesus’ miraculous deeds.

Multiple Attestations of Miracles

Independent sources, including Q, confirm Jesus’ miracles.

Miracles in Jewish Sources

Ancient Jewish texts acknowledged Jesus’ miracles but attributed them to sorcery.

John the Baptist & Miracles

Despite his importance, no miracles were attributed to him.

Rudolf Bultmann on Miracles

Acknowledged Jesus performed healings but dismissed them as offensive to modern thought.

Skepticism & Historical Method

Some historians reject miracles as they assume a closed system of natural causes.

Science & Miracles

Modern science acknowledges the unexpected but sees miracles as divine interventions.

Jesus’ Refusal of "Signs"

He rejected performing miracles to prove his authority (Mark 8:11-12).

Miracles as Acts of Faith

Jesus associated miracles with belief in his authority to forgive sins.

Luke 10:19-20

Jesus tells the disciples to rejoice not in their power over spirits but in their salvation.

Miracles & Liberation from Evil

Jesus' miracles signified God's reign breaking into the world.