Tag: miracles

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The crowd’s response.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel… ‭‭Acts ‭2‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Luke, recording the Day of Pentecost activities, writes that the crowd didn’t know what was happening with the people that gathered. They assumed the group displayed drunk and disorderly conduct! There was a lot of supernatural activity happening – whirlwind, some semblance of fire resting on individuals, and the loud speaking in other languages. Those are signs of drunkenness? Wow. When God does a miraculous thing among us, that’s when we assume the worst?

Have you ever witnessed a mob, mosh-pit, brawl, rave, or riot? Sadly, these are common images on the news or during spring break and we think nothing of it. And, although they are overwhelming to experience, these public displays are somehow normalized, captured and celebrated. But oh, an outpouring of the Holy Spirit with supernatural phenomenon – that’s weird?

Someone needs to speak up when bad human behaviors are normalized, expected and sometimes celebrated compared to a God moment that is dismissed or scrutinized. Peter did so, he spoke up saying, “these people are not drunk,” as they were assuming. What they were witnessing was yet another promise that God had predicted would happen! Joel 2:28-32 records what WILL happen and DID happen, in the last days. And the morning of the Pentecost Sunday – it did happen! Peter brilliantly uses the moment to share the gospel. Basically telling the crowd, they got it wrong. Seeing the supposed mayhem they assumed the WORST in human behavior, yet they were actually witnesses to another one of God’s fulfillment of His promises.

We get it so wrong when we dismiss miracles as drunkenness. I’ll admit, being in the room when something supernatural happens is a little disconcerting, but believe me, it is far better than being in the middle of a drunken brawl between family or friends. I’ve been in both and prefer God’s revival over human revelry.

Prayer

Dad,
Far too often I have seen people dismiss your miraculous moving among us and readily accept a drunken display of stupidity. It’s frustrating to explain that one is real and life changing, the other is destructive, especially in our relationships with each other. I get upset when folks confusingly trade out truth when one is rejected and the other is accepted. How in the world can we be so drawn to the supernatural when it comes to things of darkness and be repelled by Your Spirit doing a miraculous work among us? We’ve got some serious misconceptions of how the spiritual realm works. Yet you still desire to do the miraculous in us! Thank you for your grace even when we’ve mistakenly misplaced our faith in the wrong place.

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Miracles moved by compassion.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

”A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭40‬-‭41‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If I asked most folks if they wanted to see more miracles in their life OR even more miracles in others – I’m pretty sure the answer would be YES. Mark’s gospel shows us that indeed, the Messiah has power over medical abnormalities. However, Jesus also shows us the motivations behind these kinds of miracles.

Jesus was moved with “splagchnizomai,” to be moved in the inward parts. Jesus felt compassion deep in his gut, down to his (splen) spleen! With both great humility and need, this man showed his desperation. This earnestness moved the heart of the Savior. This coupled with the man’s faith, “if you are willing,” brought about Jesus immediate response – “I am willing.” Which also means that God is willing to listen and be moved by compassion to work a miracle.

The bigger question for me is not can I GET miracles from God. My question is, do I have compassion and faith to pray the prayers necessary for God to heal, God to do supernatural miracles in OTHER’S lives?

Why are we so timid about being and doing the things Jesus clearly wanted His followers to continue to be and do? Ask someone to pray in public and it scares them to death! Ask someone to put their own faith, totally in God by the way, out there and BELIEVE on behalf of another and again – creepy-freaky for most of us. Like we’re doing something impossible or wrong! You may have an argument that says, “but I am not one of the original disciples,” so I cannot do these things. But if all the luxuries and commands are only geared toward the original disciples (the OD’s) then NOTHING is for us! What about when Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father,” in John 14:12. We would have to redefine “anyone” as solely those who physically walked with Jesus back then. Jesus actually said, “to the one ‘pisteuó,’ believing, faithing.” That’s for those hearing Jesus’ words and for us today!

I want to be the one believing! I want to be the one humbly moved by compassion, feeling it in my gut and apply my faith to believe in the God who heals – today! I just don’t want to see miracles, I want to see God do miracles through us – Jesus followers! Did Jesus perform miracles as a human or as God? Did Jesus access supernatural faith from God or did He initiate it on His own – from within? Remember, the Apostle Paul told us in Philippians 2 that Jesus surrendered, emptied himself of His diving privileges, becoming a servant.

God is compassionate and merciful. When we see or act with compassion (in our spleens) we are seeing and believing as God would. God performs the miracles, we just need to lend our faith to those in need and trust God to do what only He can do! Want to see more miracles? Maybe we should pray more like Jesus, with one small adjustment, saying, “God is willing, be healed!”

Prayer

​Dad,
Wow, we have really complicated a very simple process. We have convoluted the truth of your word with our own feelings, doubts and cultural dissolution. No wonder we don’t see more miracles in our country, we rationalized it away in fear and shame. I get it, it feels like I don’t have the right kind of faith. Or, I don’t really live the life that looks like Jesus. Or, any number of excuses to NOT BELIEVE you at your word. My faith feels so weak, yet I believe you are so strong! How can I rectify these things? How can I increase my faith despite my fears? Help me God to have compassion and faith. Amen.

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Dare to mess with the Holy Spirit?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest. Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!” Acts ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Luke writes this book to tell the story of the early church and the Apostles who led them. Some believe this entire book was a testimonial account, written for Paul to deliver to Caesar himself. It reads very much like a continuation of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) recording the acts and stories of Jesus.

Luke writes, ”Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile” (Acts 1:12). It is explosive reading from a “well, what happens now?” perspective. Acts 2, the Church explodes on the scene with the Holy Spirit bringing supernatural signs and wonders. Peter finds his voice, preaching to his own people, the Jews, and sounding very much like the Prophets of old. As a result, there is transformation in the lives of thousands of people. Even among the rise of persecution for being a Christian, the Church grew rapidly. The rulers, elders and teachers of religious law even met together, still hell-bent on crushing this “new” faith and belief in Jesus. Yet, more decisions, now an additional 5,000 people following the ways of Christ!

Luke records the “believer’s” prayer, and it is powerful. They prayed for God to, ”Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus” (4:30). And God answered with this, “After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness” (4‬:‭31‬).

It with this context that Luke records that the Church came together with an incredible sense of unity, writing, “All the believers were united in heart and mind.” Chapter five seems to come out of a story that points out that there were some who were kind of faking it? Just regular folk who may have had good intentions, desperately wanting to be a part of this supernatural move of God in the community of faith. Maybe they were just caught up in the excitement, an electricity in air, where God was doing miracles. Seized with this fervor, they also sold some property and decided to give it to the community fund that was used to both help the poor, but also pay for any expenses that this new and expanding Church would need.

But there was a problem, deep in the heart of this couple. They wanted to sell the property, but didn’t want to give ALL of the profits, believing that some or most of the proceeds would suffice. To be clear, there wasn’t, there isn’t, anything wrong with selling property, giving some of the profits away and keeping some for themselves. The decision, on both their parts, was to make it look like they sacrificed to give it ALL away. Ananias and Sapphira brought part of the money to the apostles and CLAIMED it was the full amount!

As Ananias handed the money over, the Holy Spirit must have told Peter there was something very wrong with this particular gift, this transaction. It was given with subterfuge! Peter called it and spoke it out, “You lied to the Holy Spirit!” When Ananias heard Peter openly reveal the content of his own heart, he dropped dead! Peter, then knowing how this “gift” came to be, gave Sapphira a chance to come clean. Like a parent who already knows what happened before they ask their child, Peter asked, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?” “Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.” At this point, it was pretty Bold for Peter himself to let her know that God would also deal with her – O.T. style 😳. Saying, see those guys with the sheet…they just buried your husband and now they are here to help you – TO THE GRAVE! Whoa. This story also went out in the faith community – don’t mess around with the Holy Spirit!

Prayer

Dad,
You give us a ton of grace, mercy and patience. Yet, you will discipline those you love! And, I know your love for the Church is just as passionate and powerful as it was then. I’ve seen some friends of mine, uh, “drop” way earlier than expected because the motives and games that were being played in their heart, completely disregarding your Holy Spirit and presenting absolute lies to the body of Christ. You are faithful and just to forgive, but also faithful and just to bring out truth and keep the shady shadows out of your Church! Thank you for loving us and loving Your Church!

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What is your need?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

”As Jesus and the disciples left the town of Jericho, a large crowd followed behind. Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” “Be quiet!” the crowd yelled at them. But they only shouted louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” they said, “we want to see!” Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him.“ ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭20‬:‭29‬-‭34‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Matthew records that Jesus and his guys were leaving Jericho. The huge historical, famous city of jericho! Robin and I have been to Jericho, it is way out there in the desert. The biggest attraction, a section of the original wall that had been excavated. Just a portion of a very old wall! However, we were in an ancient city, and just touching a piece of history that old was exciting. Jericho is in the West Bank and still under Palestinian control. Driving into the town was like entering a war zone. The guard towers and barbed wire was intimidating and I noticed the hardware changed to AK47’s. Jericho, by the way, had become kind of a highly religious community back in Jesus day. Many Jewish priests and religious leaders resided there.

Leaving the town, Jesus had a crowd following him, he was now a known person. Two blind men hearing the commotion, must have guessed that this the Jesus everyone had been talking about. They didn’t want to miss their moment. They screamed out, the crowd censured or rebuked them. The men screamed louder, Jesus heard them above the crowd’s disapproval. The next few moments are brief but powerful. Jesus stopped and asked them a question. “What do you wish I would do for you?” Jesus knew who they were- beggars. And, he knew what they needed – to see again. Yet he asked them. Of course they answered back, “we want you to open our eyes.” A nice way to say, they would really like to see and not be blind anymore. Matthew writes a word that became synonymous with Jesus’ attitude emotions for those who were suffering. Jesus was moved with compassion, “splagxnízomai” – “from splanxna, ‘the inward parts,’ especially the nobler entrails – the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. It was a medical term that became the way people would describe the inner turmoil of feelings – as in feeling it in their guts! Jesus felt this deep, gut-check and immediately touched their eyes. They would now become sightseers instead of blind beggars. Then the men followed Jesus.

Jesus had become known for being someone moved to this gut-checked emotion called compassion. This compassion, equally mixed with mercy, would become the picture of who God really is, contrary to the harsh, quick-to-judge religious leaders of the day. Contrary to the fake stereotypes about God, even today. What would it take for me to see people like Jesus sees them? Jesus was busy, on mission, and had very specific divine appointments directed by the Holy Spirit. Yet, when he heard these men cry out, he stopped, felt their struggles, and healed them. Can compassion be a precursor, a prerequisite to a miracle?

Prayer

Dad,
Do I see the world around me like you do? Do I take or make time to listen and be led by your Holy Spirit? Do I have compassion for those suffering around me? My own city, up and down my own streets, may not be filled with blind beggars, but they are filled with individuals who have completely spiraled down to a horrible existence. They have become almost invisible to me and there are so many of them. Help me to have compassion, mercy and maybe just enough courage and time to see them, hear them and ask what they might need.

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Generational memory loss.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them— even the children not yet born— and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands. Then they will not be like their ancestors— stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭78‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Asaph’s plea to remember. This psalm, inserted in the book of Psalms, late in David’s life, has a certain reminiscence, a way of not forgetting. And, most importantly, telling the story of God to each generation.

Generational stories, both how and when they are told, is an interesting phenomenon. I can’t speak for my entire generation, being born at the outset of the sixties turmoil and revolution – the results of the fifties not so subtlety questioning all authority. I was raised around senior retirees, spending my summers with my grandparents. I grew to love their stories, their connections with neighbors who became friends. Time passed very, very slowly for me while they talked about life and current events. They not only taught me about the senior pace of life but also the senior patience, learning to listen and build deep and meaningful connections. Was I just an “old soul,” as they say? I don’t think so. My grandparents taught me to love people’s life stories, a mix of triumph and tragedy. They were not followers of Jesus either!

When I read Asaph’s words and the passion for God and His commands, I think about the stories I tell my own children and grandchildren. Do I have the time, patience and courage to teach my progeny to listen well? Sometimes, I feel that stories are all I have to offer! My words, ways and cultural differences are glaringly “old school,” “OG,” as they say. “Oh Dad and his classic, retro thoughts and stories,” they aren’t current or progressive. They are certainly not meme or reels worthy! I find myself pushing through the blowback comments, common among those trying to tell their story – “Dad, we’ve heard it before.” Sadly, I find myself repeating a similar response to my own aging father-in-law – “Dad, I’ve heard that one before.” Much of content containing the overused, “dad-jokes” category.

Asaph had a good point to make, a godly point to remind us of. The stories help each generation set its hope anew on God! Was it just about remembering all the rules? No, it was far more than that. It was all about remembering God’s glorious miracles too! All of this was a way to help future generations to NOT be stubborn, rebellious and unfaithful. God help us if one generation produces a stubborn, rebellious, unfaithful group of children, teens, young adults and possibly parents themselves! A future generation that refuses to give their hearts to God.

Generational cycles happen. We clearly see this in the leadership lineage of Israel. One godly king may produce an ungodly or godly son and future king. It seems like an unpredictable pattern. Yet, through all of that zigzag, rollercoaster-ride heritage, eventually came the Savior, Jesus came out of similar generational milieu that we face today. This gives me hope. This inspires me to tell the big God stories, to hold on His truth and obey His commands. I will not forget to tell of God’s miracles!

Prayer

Dad,
I could never forget! I will never forget where I came from, nor who I was when you found me, received me, adopted me and changed EVERYTHING in my life. I will tell of your miracles. I will tell of your mercy and patience to father me. I will tell of your Word that is perfect, true, reliable and beautiful!

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Stacked memory makers.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“When all the people had crossed the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, “Now choose twelve men, one from each tribe. Tell them, ‘Take twelve stones from the very place where the priests are standing in the middle of the Jordan. Carry them out and pile them up at the place where you will camp tonight.’” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This miracle crossing of the Jordan river was a monumental moment in Joshua’s life, the twelve chosen men and the people of Israel. It was a mini-miracle compared to the Red Sea, but significant and remarkable nonetheless. There was no Egyptian army, with horse-driven chariots thundering at their back. There was however, a massive, flooded river blocking their way to continue their journey. However, this miracle involved more people.

God wanted the priest’s feet and their faith to be the catalyst for the supernatural. Now, on the other side…now that they crossed the Jordan, what was next? Situations leading up to miracles are incredibly stress-filled moments. Heightened nerves, shallow breath, dry mouth, racing heart – it feels like one is on the edge of a panic attack! One side of a miracle is apprehension, the other side a surreal celebration. Which side of a miracle are you on today? What sea needs to split? What river needs to recede? Remember Yahweh-Shammah, God is there!

The other side of a miracle is a wonderful place to pause, set up camp and create a very physical object lesson for yourself and your family. Gather some friends, some family to collect some artifacts from the miracle. God instructed Joshua to send twelve guys back into the river, not to activate their faith, but to graft gratitude and wonder into their story, their memories. “Take twelve stones,” God said. Physical objects from the place of the miracle. Cool huh.

Here’s what I think. If my miracle happens in a river that has supernaturally stopped flowing, I’d grab stones. But let’s say it’s a medical miracle, or a miracle excursion, or a financial blessing – grab a wristband, some sand from the exotic beach, a picture of debt cancellation. Grab something from the moment and make a memory. Stack stones and take a picture, build a box filled with tangibles, mod-podge a collage. When the time comes and a friend or family member pulls out that box or grabs a picture from the past and asks, “what does this mean?” Tell the story of God’s providence, His provision, His blessing. This powerful miracle, this magnificent memory making moment tells me to pause more. It tells me to grab a physical reminder. It also tells me to hold on to it for a while, then bring it out from time to time, to tell the story of how God cares for us.

Prayer

Dad,
What a beautiful, true story of your grace and presence being with Your people at critical moments in history. However, it brings memories to my own mind. Memories of how you have done similar in my life, my family, my story. Wow! You are good. Thank you for being Yahweh Shammah for them and for us today.

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Our craving for the supernatural.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority.” Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭38‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I no longer think miracles are the epitome of necessary proof needed to believe. I know, we would think that an undeniable miracle happening to us or a family member would just be THE thing, the moment that sweeps away our doubts about the reality of God and His desire and ability to intervene in our human affairs. Jesus seems to suggest otherwise!

The guys supposedly working FOR God demand a show of proof to settle the open case of “by who’s authority do you do or say these things.” Remember, one group tried to accuse Jesus of working for Beelzebub! Jesus pulled some lessons from history using some famous people as an object lesson. He used the Prophet Jonah, but really drew a verbal picture of a court scene where the people of Nineveh were called to judge the generation Jesus lived in at the time. Nineveh, that vile, cruel people group who took pleasure in torturing their enemies. Jesus mentioned that even they recognized their sin and at one point, repented! Those folks would testify that the current generation was WORSE than they were! It would be like Hitler getting up on the stand and saying, “and you thought I was evil…” check your own hearts! Then Jesus name-drops another very famous name out of history – Queen Sheba. This powerful, beautiful, smart and accomplished woman came to test Solomon’s wisdom, where she found him the most wise person person on the planet (1 Kings 10:1-13 And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions. “She exclaimed to the king, “Everything I heard in my country about your achievements and wisdom is true!” Jesus personifies Sheba getting on the stand and testifying that Solomon’s wisdom cannot even come close to the Son of God’s wisdom.

Both of these examples showing the disparity in what Jesus called, “this generation.” When the wicked testify against the mindset and attitudes of the Pharisee’s wickedness and the queen of Sheba testifies how little their knowledge has translated into wisdom – it is supposed to be crystal clear! We are not better, we are worse.

We have not gotten better with the knowledge of good, we’ve gotten worse with practicing evil. We’ve not increased in wisdom, as philosophers and atheists have predicted, we’ve increased in foolishness. Why? Because we may know more about our world, our history and even ourselves, but we have used that knowledge to consume things unto ourselves.

Teacher, show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority? So we can mock it, criticize it and get back to our own will and own way? Jesus says, a miracle will not fix us! “Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign…” Jesus closes this thought with a haunting illustration of what happens if we should happen to figure out how to “clean ourselves up.” An evil spirit comes back to find the place clean and invites his friends 😱. What should we ask for…? Jesus, we want you to forgive us and show us mercy!

Prayer

Dad,
When I was younger, I really thought that people just needed to see you working in supernatural ways, performing a miracle to convince them that you are real. I know better now. After multiple times of hearing the promises to believe based on a miracles and not a simple faith, I’ve seen too many folks forget and go back to life as usual. The supernatural is just not sticky enough to hold our hearts in place! Faith and a relationship with you is what keeps us. I am impressed by the miracles of mercy, but more impressed by your faithfulness through the highs and lows of this life.

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Shocker! Not every miracle leads to heart-change.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“Then Jesus began to denounce the towns where he had done so many of his miracles, because they hadn’t repented of their sins and turned to God.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Wait, what? Matthew writes a hard truth, rarely talked about in Christendom. Not all miracles, not all kindnesses of mercy lead to change. Ok, this is wild as well. Jesus fully did miracles just for the sake of compassion. What people did after that was totally up to them! Jesus didn’t take back the miracle if they didn’t follow him, didn’t repent or even turn their hearts to God.

I came across a few, very few examples of this in the gospels. One was the man by the pools of Bethsaida. Jesus healed him, restoring 38 years of lost use of his legs. What did the guy do? He turned Jesus in to the religious police because Jesus had the audacity to point out the fact that his legs weren’t the real problem at all – his heart was bitter and hard! The other story is the nine lepers (skin diseased) guys that didn’t come back to even thank Jesus for giving them their life back.

Matthew, being Matthew, wasn’t going to let this sad fact slide. There were complete cities that experienced miracles, but no life change! I always thought that miracles had to be a key reason people turned to God. God heals, they are grateful and recognize who He is and boom – they believe and CHANGE. But no! Here, Matthew tells us that these cities had plenty of healings, demons cast out and miracles, but they happily took the blessing and just continued to live their lives ignoring their creator.

Here’s the cities listed: Korazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. I’m not sure what had happened in Tyre and Sidon, but everyone knows what happened in Sodom. At judgment day, Sodom would look like the Vatican comparatively. And, believe me, the papal city is nauseously, religiously evil.

Jesus speaks to the cities and asks, “will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead.” Whoa! This blows my mind. For one, I thought miracles were right up there with the desperate “promise-pleas.” You know, the ones where we say, “if you… save me… rescue me… get me out of this jamb… I promise to serve you forever.” I figured that miracles are what people SEEK to prove God’s existence! Not so much, maybe?

This is heartbreaking to know that God is willing to do the miracle, rescue the near-dead, and save someone from devastating consequences and still see no heart-change. I am fully aware that God, having foreknowledge of everything, sees when the miracle is spurned, the promise won’t be kept – and He still pours out His mercy!!! Should I conclude that miracles are NOT “THE” key to salvation and a changed life? I am just sadly frustrated with all of this. Our humanity is a puzzle that cannot be solved!

Prayer

Dad,
Wow. I never want to find myself spurning your grace and mercy. I know that my sin is blatant and ever before you, but I recognize the miracles and the patience you extend to me because of your love. I cannot take you or any blessing for granted. I am so very thankful. Apparently miracles are not the only means for people to turn their heart towards you. It still takes humility and repentance – which is so very hard for our stubborn human heart.

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A commander who knows about authority.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.” Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.” But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭8‬:‭5‬-‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

First of all — SHOCKER — a military officer, a government sponsored individual is comfortable approaching Jesus and asking for help in an area of specific expertise! The unnamed centurion knows a lot about life and men, command and crowd control, war, loss and death. But one thing he is not good at… healing and miracles. Leaders know they don’t have to know everything. They just need to know one person that knows about things they don’t!

As a man who was required to track the stories and the “word on the street,” this commander had heard about Jesus and knew when he was in town. I just think it’s ironic that this centurion’s job was to know things and get things done. But, this rough, tough, seasoned soldier had something else greater than his ability to command. He had compassion. Isn’t it interesting that a Roman Centurion and Jesus could have something in common? The commander had compassion for the servant in his care. He had a heart. The officer approached Jesus not with a order, nor with power, but with a plea.

Strangely he knew his own way of life, although prestigious among his peers, was not the same quality of life as the rabbi. He told Jesus not to come because he wasn’t worthy of having him in his home. The centurion then tells Jesus, “just say the word,” and gives Jesus a quick summary on how authority works in his profession.

Ah, but isn’t something else happening at the same time? The commander knew about commands and authority, but apparently he also had something else that impressed Jesus. The Roman, the Gentile had faith! Not just a little faith – BIG faith. Jesus said, “I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!” Hmmm, compassion, faith… sounds like this man was showing signs of believing that Jesus is who he said he was – God. What happened to the commander’s young servant? Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” “And the young servant was healed that same hour.”

I am also impressed with this Centurion. He understood authority, possessed compassion and exercised faith. There are so many people around us that may seem intimidating because of fame or fortune, power or prestige. Can I remind you that they could very well be on this journey of believing in Jesus. And, you may just be the one they approach with a question or a plea. Maybe it’s a need outside their ability to fix themselves? Do we have faith that God can heal, save or restore? I do. Will we be ready to believe for them?

Prayer

Dad,
You are such a big God with big power to restore human lives to yourself. Sooner or later folks will come up against something difficult that is way bigger than their ability to fix. And you will be there waiting to hear, to heal, to forgive and even to fix their lives. I just want a small piece of that action! A small bit-part that listens, has faith and helps connect them to you.

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Natural or Supernatural Miracles?

Reading Time: 3 minutes 
“One day the leaders of the town of Jericho visited Elisha. “We have a problem, my Lord,” they told him. “This town is located in pleasant surroundings, as you can see. But the water is bad, and the land is unproductive.” Elisha said, “Bring me a new bowl with salt in it.” So they brought it to him. Then he went out to the spring that supplied the town with water and threw the salt into it. And he said, “This is what the Lord says: I have purified this water. It will no longer cause death or infertility.” And the water has remained pure ever since, just as Elisha said.” 2 Kings‬ ‭2:19-22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Aren’t miracles, well…miracles, you may ask? I thought so. Then I watched this documentary about Moses and the Jewish people crossing the Red Sea. The water parted, it separated, and over a million people walked across on dry land. Then the Egyptian army, with chariots and thousands of foot soldiers followed them into the water. The Jewish people arrived safely on the other side, then God closed the opening on the sea, drowning the entire Egyptian army. Remember this? The documentary had lots of theories, but shockingly the experts were divided on this idea of natural vs supernatural miracles. Did God use the natural forces of the earth (wind, specific spot in the body of water, even the gravitational pull of the moon and earth in that exact moment) or did God just command the water to divide and it obeyed?

This “little” (not little at all) miracle that Elisha performed was titled, “Elisha’s First Miracle.” Well, yeah it was God’s miracle through Elisha but I get it. Was it natural or supernatural? Does it matter to you? It really doesn’t matter to me. I love science and knowing some of the cool mysteries of our world. I love that scientists thought their discoveries would become more simple as they searched deeper and higher than man had ever searched before. But instead, their searching has become more complicated, forcing them to ask even more difficult questions. This applies to the smallest microscopic particle to the largest and many universes in the cosmos. So if Elisha’s was some kind of chemical biologist, knowing that a few cups of salt would permanently balance the PH levels in an ever flowing river, and God gave him this knowledge – so be it. However, if God told Elisha about the salt or even if he came up with it on his own then God just “healed” the water supply for the whole city – well that’s fantastically okay with me as well!

If you study some of the Old Testament prophets’ miracles, you’ll find they are pretty strange. Floating axe heads, Elisha and the two bears, or laying nose to nose, toe to toe on a dead little boy’s body, you’ll really scratch your head and say, “Whoa, this is some crazy stuff!” But the point still remains here. Jericho had a citywide problem and the leaders went to the new man’s of God, Elisha. They may have expected him to pray or make a big spectacle of it all. He didn’t. He asked them for a bowl of salt. He went out to the spring that was the water supply for the city and threw the salt into the running stream. Then he tells them, the Lord says, “I have purified this water.” Boom. Miracle.

Prayer

Dad,
You are the God, the only God. And, since you created all things, it’s not surprising at all that you do both “natural” and supernatural miracles. I don’t even think they are miracles to you, just simple commands that all the existence of any and all universes and planets within must comply with! Yet with us, you allow us to choose. You’ve given us freedom to believe, to know you. Or, to not believe and deny not only your existence, but also your plan to save us from ourselves. I believe in you and in miracles!