Miracles
Mark 6: Familiarity is bad for faith
1Jesus went out from there and came into His hometown; and His disciples followed Him.
2When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands?
3"Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?" And they took offense at Him.
4Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household."
5And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.
6And He wondered at their unbelief. And He was going around the villages teaching.
Christ's ministry was marked by amazing miracles that He performed almost every day. Modern American Christians almost never see such obviously supernatural miracles. Perhaps this is because we (among others) often analyze our theology to death or are chained by legalism, and just as with the Nazarenes, familiarity breeds contempt.
Matthew 16: Scripture is sufficient
1The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven.
2But He replied to them, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.'
3"And in the morning, 'There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?
4"An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah." And He left them and went away.
We generally explain the dearth of miracles by saying that we no longer need such signs, as Scripture is complete. If unbelievers do not believe the signs throughout Scripture, they will believe nothing.
What are the true causes?
Are obviously supernatural miracles such as instant healings rare among us because the signs are no longer needed? Or is it because we have no faith in the Miracle Worker? Or is it both? Does Scripture indicate the answer elsewhere?
1Jesus went out from there and came into His hometown; and His disciples followed Him.
2When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands?
3"Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?" And they took offense at Him.
4Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household."
5And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.
6And He wondered at their unbelief. And He was going around the villages teaching.
Christ's ministry was marked by amazing miracles that He performed almost every day. Modern American Christians almost never see such obviously supernatural miracles. Perhaps this is because we (among others) often analyze our theology to death or are chained by legalism, and just as with the Nazarenes, familiarity breeds contempt.
Matthew 16: Scripture is sufficient
1The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven.
2But He replied to them, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.'
3"And in the morning, 'There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?
4"An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah." And He left them and went away.
We generally explain the dearth of miracles by saying that we no longer need such signs, as Scripture is complete. If unbelievers do not believe the signs throughout Scripture, they will believe nothing.
What are the true causes?
Are obviously supernatural miracles such as instant healings rare among us because the signs are no longer needed? Or is it because we have no faith in the Miracle Worker? Or is it both? Does Scripture indicate the answer elsewhere?
posted by Derby at 14:13
5 Comments:
Perhaps it's because in the Biblical times the miracles weren't written about so all could see.
But then again, it's quite possible that there isn't enough faith/and contempt. Standard churches have decided that miracles are a thing of the past...
Very thought-provoking post, Derby.
Marian lives that close by? I adore her family!! I am so going to have to road trip one of these vacations...
Hey who is this?? you posted on my xanga! just curious as to who you are!Um i am actually more of a Pistons fan cause i lived in MI for quite awhile and lots of my family lives around the state! but i do like some of the Heats players!
i've seen miracles before. i've told demons to go away in the name of Christ Jesus before. making money and a big show is sad, but the name and power of Christ hasn't changed.
*beth (i always forget to identify myself) :D
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