Faith and the Miraculous
Jesus said, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall
speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them;
they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover (Mark 16:17, 18; KJV).
John records that the promise to continue the ministry of the miraculous through the disciples was spoken to
them on the night Jesus was betrayed. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that
I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father” (John 14:12;
KJV).
In both cases, the continuation of the miraculous is based on the condition of believing. In some parts of the
church, it is taught that miracles ceased sometime during the first century. It is thought that, with the death
of the last of the original apostles and the completion of the canon, miracles are no longer necessary. However,
this is never actually taught anywhere in the Scriptures. The Scriptures teach that the presence or absence of
faith sets the tone for the relative possibilities of the miraculous.
In this chapter, we will review eleven miracles in the ministry of the Lord Jesus. In each miracle, you will
find a specific mention of either faith, an act of believing, or an admonition to believe. Before commencing the
study, here are three observations which might be helpful to you.
Observation One: The miraculous has been an integral part of every era of God's revelation to His
people. Wherever the Scriptures serve as guardians of history, i.e., the ancient kingdoms of Judah and Israel,
the reigns of the prophets and judges, the period of the Exile, and the return of Israel to rebuild the Jerusalem
walls and the temple—all are interwoven with some expressions of the miraculous.
The era of the patriarchs, the account of Moses' leadership, and the story of Joshua's possessing the Promised
Land are filled with records of physical miracles, spiritual visitations, signs, wonders, and miracles of every
kind. There were seasons when the word of the Lord was rare; “there was no open vision” (1 Sam. 1:1). This rarity
(in some translations, the word “rare” is translated “precious” to denote “unusual”) is brought about by the unbelieving
or disobedient character of God's people; not by the character of God—as though He became stingy with His loving
displays of power.
Indeed, the One “with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17) seems to be aggressive in
displaying His power on behalf of those who will believe. Write out 2 Chronicles 16:9, and be reminded of this.
Observation Two: Miracles are manifestations of God's glory, and are for His glory. When Jesus
changes the water into wine at the wedding at Cana, John says, “This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee,
and manifested His glory” (John 2:11).
Every miracle is a manifestation of the glory of God. John uses this expression to describe this water-to-wine
miracle, for some might not see it in the same category as a resurrection, the healing of a blind man, or the casting
out of a demon. It is so kind—the assisting of a wedding reception's success—some could think it a “waste” of God's
power; perhaps that's why John makes the statement he does. But regardless of the type of miracle, no matter what
kind of “sign,” it flows to manifest the glory of the Lord; that is, the excellence of His love, grace, mightiness,
and power.
Every miracle is also for His glory, that all praise, all honor is to be given to Him,
and only to Him when the miraculous occurs. As you study this lesson, you will see how many times the Lord
Jesus commends individuals for their faith. It is good for us to see Him do this, for it indicates His delight—God's
pleasure—with people “believing” in a way that welcomes and allows Him to do what unbelief would otherwise hinder.
As faith develops, it accesses the grace of God for the miraculous. Yet whenever the miraculous is released,
even though humankind—you, someone you are praying for, or anyone else— benefited, it is always for God's
glory.
Read Isaiah 42:8. What will the Lord not share?
Specifically, what will He not allow His praise to be given to?
Human nature inevitably worships the human agent through whom God's miracles might flow. It is also our
nature not only to praise the one God uses to work a miracle, but the miracle itself, or artifacts associated with
the miracle. The ancient church has venerated objects associated with past miracles, supposing that there is some
efficacy in the object. This human tendency has a history, even in the Bible.
Turn to Numbers 21:4–9 and compare the story of how God healed the Israelites from the plague of fiery serpents
with 2 Kings 18:1–4. See how that instrument of deliverance had become an object of worship. See how in order for
true worship to be restored to the temple, this object had to be destroyed!
Aimee Semple McPherson, an evangelist of the 1930s, powerfully used by God in the ministry of the miraculous,
had a biblical slogan engraved on her pulpit in Los Angeles. It read, “We would see Jesus” (John 12:21). She understood
this imperative as one who regularly participated in the miraculous. This scripture, and the lessons above, are
means to help us remember: the miraculous is a manifestation of God's glory and is always intended for His glory!
Observation Three: The miraculous is always tied to God's eternal purpose. While miracles which
alleviate human need and suffering may, and often do, occur, ultimately the miracle is not merely about the human
condition, but is linked to God's divine agenda.
Read Mark 16:17–18 again. Now, see the direct association with verse 15. The text gives the promise of the miraculous,
but it also reveals its purpose: It is for the advance of the gospel of salvation. Signs and wonders are given
to confirm the preaching of God's Word (v. 20).
Miracles are not available to help you or me get what we want: They are for the purpose of enabling God to accomplish
what He wants to do! This gentle correction doesn't mean God cares only for His program and not for people.
Nothing could be further from the truth, because people are God's program. But we need to keep the focus
on Him. He's the fountain of love and power, and also the only One with all wisdom and understanding. We need to
trust Him and call on Him with His purpose being our highest concern.
Read 1 Peter 5:7. Upon what basis are you invited to place your cares before God?
For an example of this balance of God's purpose and His miracle power, read Exodus 3:9. This is where
God called Moses at the burning bush. In this encounter, Moses hears God say, “The cry of the Israelites has come
up to me; and I have seen the oppression of the Egyptians.” On the one hand God's compassion is desirous of delivering
Israel; on the other, He is ready to move in judgment against Egyptian arrogance.
The student of biblical history realizes that God has committed Himself to the Israelites as His chosen people,
and that delivering them from Egypt was an integral part of His eternal plan. At the same time God is fulfilling
His eternal purpose in revealing His global redemption plan, He is compassionately ministering to the needs of
His people.
Seeing this, let us be convinced we are not forced to decide whether God is more interested in His eternal purpose
than in the human condition. He is concerned with both. Miracles display the grace of God to meet human need, and
they reveal the glory of God by fulfilling His purpose.
Why is this point so pivotal for us to understand? Because the moment that we remove the subject of the miraculous
from a perception of God's eternal purpose, either Satan or human nature will attempt to harness the results of
the miraculous for purposes of gain and deception!
Having made this third observation, let us review. Write your personal comments under each point:
1. Miracles have never ceased where there is faith.
2. Miracles are manifestations of God's glory and are manifested for His glory.
3. Miracles are always tied to God's eternal purpose.
Jesus' Working Miracles
Now, let's begin our examination of the eleven miracles we mentioned earlier.
As you study the following verses that describe certain miracles of the Lord Jesus, write out your own observations
as to the importance of faith, noting the manner in which words or actions of faith are expressed and the ways
in which faith is called forth or prompted.
Mark 2:1–12: The healing of the paralytic who was lowered through the roof.
1. What did Jesus see? (verse 5)
2. Why did Jesus forgive the paralyzed man before healing him?
Luke 7:1–10: The healing of the centurion's servant.
1. Upon what did the centurion base his faith?
2. What comment did the Lord make about the centurion's faith?
Mark 5:24–34: The healing of the woman with the issue of blood. (Examine the other Gospel accounts of this miracle:
Matt. 9:20–22; Luke 8:43–48)
What did Jesus say made the woman well?
Probing the Depths
It is obvious from this story that the miracle has not occurred with the conscious participation of the Lord
Jesus. Since He asked, “Who touched Me?” we may assume that He honestly did not know. This is not to suggest that
a miracle was taken from the Lord without His blessing. However, the story does seem to indicate that there is
some dimension of the Lord's virtue that is available to the believer who will press through the throng
(i.e., the circumstances), and touch the Lord for a miracle.
How did the Lord know that someone had touched him while He was in the midst of a multitude?
Matthew 9:27–31: The healing of the two blind men.
What question did the Lord ask before healing them of their blindness?
Matthew 14:23–33: The miracle of Peter walking on water.
1. What was the disciples' initial cry when they saw Jesus coming on the water?
2. What was Peter's response?
3. What caused Peter to become afraid?
4. How did the Lord chastise Peter?
Matthew 15:22–28: The deliverance of the Canaanite woman's daughter.
1. On what basis did the Lord surrender to the woman's request?
2. What does this instance suggest regarding faith's privilege to pursue God's promises in hope?
Mark 5:35–43: The Raising of Jairus's daughter.
1. How did the Lord admonish the ruler of the synagogue when news of his daughter's death was brought to them?
2. Who did the Lord cast out of the ruler's house?
3. Why do you think He did this, and what application might there be?
Luke 18:35–43: The healing of the blind man at Jericho.
1. What was the crowd's response to the blind man? And, what was the blind man's response to their words?
2. What did Jesus say saved the man?
Word Wealth
Saved, sodzo (Strong's #4982; sode-zo). To save, deliver, or protect. Translated: to heal,
to preserve, to save, to do well, to be made whole. For most believers, the concept of salvation is limited to
the forgiveness of sins. As wonderful as forgiveness is, salvation is much, much more. To be saved, in the biblical
sense of the word, is to be brought into wholeness. To be made whole is to experience life as God designed it to
be lived. Salvation, or wholeness, is available only through faith.
Mark 9:17–29: The deliverance of the son from the dumb spirit.
1. Why could the disciples not cast out this spirit?
2. What did Jesus say to the spirit?
3. What did Jesus promise to the man if he would believe?
4. What was the man's response?
Kingdom Extra
Mark 9:22, 23. In this passage Jesus tells us that “believing” is the condition for answered prayer for a healing.
The father of the demon-possessed boy answered in tears, “I believe,” then added, “help my unbelief!” Since faith
is a gift, we may pray for it as this father did. Note how quickly God's grace answered; but there is another lesson.
Where an atmosphere of unbelief makes it difficult to believe, we should seek a different setting. Even Jesus'
ability to work miracles was reduced where unbelief prevailed (Matt. 13:58).
Prayer and praise provide an atmosphere of faith in God. In this text Jesus explained yet another obstacle to
faith's victory—why their prayers had been fruitless: This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting
(Mark 9:29). His explanation teaches: (1) some (not all) affliction is demonically imposed; and (2) some kinds
of demonic bondage do not respond to exorcism, but only to fervent prayer. Continuance in prayer, accompanied by
praise and sometimes fasting, provides a climate for faith that brings deliverance. [Spirit-Filled Life Bible
(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991), “Kingdom Dynamics: Mark 9:22, 23, Cultivating a Climate of Faith
for Healing,” 1486.]
John 4:46–54: The healing of the nobleman's son.
1. When did the nobleman believe that his son would be healed?
2. Having believed for his son's healing, what second act of faith did the nobleman commit?
Word Wealth
Write out Psalm 107:20 as a cross-reference to the healing of the nobleman's son.
God's “sending His Word” occurs in two respects: First, God has sent His Word in that He has sent His
Son. Jesus is the Word (John 1:14), and of His fullness have we all received (John 1:16). Second, God has
sent His Word in the sense that He has given us the Scriptures—the written Word of God. As we believe His promises,
we become open to the possibilities of His grace fulfilling those promises. What three things does Isaiah 55:11
say will happen when God “sends His Word”?
John 11:1–45: The raising of Lazarus from the dead.
1. List the five times Jesus uses the word “believe.”
2. What did Jesus say is necessary in order to see the glory of God? (v. 40)
3. Why did Jesus pray at the grave of Lazarus as He did?
We have considered eleven miracles the Lord performed, all of which were released by the faith of the people involved.
To conclude our study, read Mark 6:5, 6.
Why could the Lord not do mighty works at this time?
Miracles are released and received by faith. They are useful for the presentation of the gospel. A miracle may
solve a human dilemma or mend a human condition. Whenever a miracle occurs, all praise and honor should be given
to the Lord who performed it.
Faith Alive
Write out a miracle of God you have witnessed or experienced in a past season of your life—recent or distant.
How did your faith align with or open to the miracle? How did you give the Lord glory and honor for this miracle?
In the light of your study, is there a prayer you would like to make to God concerning His miraculous grace and
power and your own life and service to Him? Write it out.
From Power Faith: Balancing Faith in Words and Works by Roy Hicks, JR. with Jack W. Hayford. Copyright 1994 by Jack W. Hayford.
