Christians are a miracle-believing people. All existence is due to a series of divine miracles, and some are extraordinary miracles. What lessons can we learn from the miracles that Jesus performed?
A Leper
What did Jesus say when healing a leper?
“Jesus said to him, ‘Don’t say anything to anyone. Instead, go and show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded. This will be a testimony to them.’ ” (Matthew 8:4 CEB)
Centurion’s Servant
When a Roman centurion asked Jesus to heal his servant, what did he say?
“I have officers who give orders to me, and I have soldiers who take orders from me. I can say to one of them, ‘Go!’ and he goes. I can say to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes. I can say to my servant, ‘Do this!’ and he will do it. When Jesus heard this, he was so surprised that he turned and said to the crowd following him, ‘I tell you in all of Israel I've never found anyone with this much faith!’ ” (Matthew 8:9-10 CEV)
Heals Many
What prophecy did Jesus fulfill by healing many?
“This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.’ ” (Matthew 8:17 ESV cf. Isaiah 53:4)
Heals a Paralytic
Does Jesus know people’s thoughts? Does Jesus forgive sins?
“And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.” (Matthew 9:4-6 KJV)
Blind Men Healed
Does our faith have anything to do with healing?
“Then He touched their eyes, saying, ‘It shall be done for you according to your faith.’ ” (Matthew 9:27-31 NASB)
A Mute Speaks
People were amazed when a mute began to talk.
“And the multitudes marveled, saying, ‘It was never seen like this in Israel!’ ” (Matthew 9:33b NKJV)
Sabbath Healing
When the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus for healing a man on the Sabbath, He shamed them.
“If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would. And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:11b-12 NLT)
Wind and Waves
Why did Jesus rebuke the disciples for THEIR lack of faith?
“He said to them, ‘Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?’ Then he got up, rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm. The men marveled, saying, ‘What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’ ” (Matthew 8:26-27 WEB)
Demon-Possessed Healed
Jesus didn’t mess with demons but told them to go away.
“Then he said to the demons, ‘Go away,’ and they came out and went into the pigs. The whole herd rushed down the cliff into the lake and drowned.” (Matthew 8:32 CEB)
Bleeding Healed
What did Jesus tell a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years about HER faith?
“Jesus turned. He saw the woman and said, ‘Don't worry! You are now healed because of your faith.’ At that moment she was healed.” (Matthew 9:22 CEV)
Life Restored
People mocked Jesus, just as people mock modern believers. What did He say to the noisy mourners?
“he said, ‘Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose.” (Matthew 9:24-25 ESV)
Blind Healed
Whose faith was the healing of two blind men dependent upon, at least in part?
“Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.” (Matthew 9:29 KJV)
A Mute Speaks
What was a common false accusation about Jesus from religious leaders? Do religious leaders sometimes still make false accusations?
“But the Pharisees were saying, ‘He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons.’ ” (Matthew 9:34 NASB)
Feeding Five Thousand
What did Jesus tell the disciples about feeding a crowd? Is He still saying something similar regarding meager church resources?
“Jesus replied, ‘They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.’ ” (Matthew 14:16 NIV)
Walks on Water
What are two things that Jesus said during a miraculous calming of the wind on Lake Galilee? Is He saying something similar to us, that we should not be afraid?
“But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.’ … And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’ ” (Matthew 14:27, 31 NKJV)
A Touch Healed
On the other side of the lake, how were people healed? Can we still touch the fringe of His robe?
“They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.” (Matthew 14:36 NLT)
Gentile Faith
Jesus tested a woman’s faith with words that some might think was an insult. Are we more politically correct than Jesus? What high compliment did He then give regarding HER faith?
“Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed from that hour.” (Matthew 15:28 WEB)
Feeding Four Thousand
Similar to feeding the five thousand, Jesus miraculously fed another crowd. How filled were they? Can Jesus provide our needs too?
“Everyone ate until they were full. The disciples collected seven baskets full of leftovers.” (Matthew 15:32-39)
A Boy Healed
When healing a boy, what did Jesus say was a reason that we sometimes lack faith?
“Jesus said, ‘You people are too stubborn to have any faith! How much longer must I be with you? Why do I have to put up with you? Bring the boy here.’ ” (Matthew 17:17 CEV)
When the disciples asked why they couldn’t help the boy, what did Jesus say they lacked?
“Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20b ESV)
Pay Taxes
Why did Jesus pay taxes? How was the tax money provided? Will God also provide for us?
“Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.” (Matthew 17:27 KJV)
Casting out Demons
When falsely accused by religious leaders, how did Jesus answer?
“Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan is casting out Satan, he has become divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? And if by Beelzebul I cast out the demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore, they will be your judges. But if I cast out the demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or, how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first ties up the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.” (Matthew 12:25-29 NASB)
Two Blind Men
What was the reason that Jesus healed two blind men?
“Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.” (Matthew 20:34 NIV)
Fruitless Fig Tree
What did Jesus do to a fruitless fig tree? Is this symbolic of empty religious rituals without spiritual fruit?
“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.” (Matthew 21:19 NKJV)
When asked how the tree withered so quickly, what was the answer Jesus gave?
“Then Jesus told them, ‘I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, “May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.’ ” (Matthew 21:21-22 NLT)
Will you have a change of heart and mind, choose faith over skepticism and believe the good news of God’s reign and bear fruit? You decide!
