Read Mark 6:14-16
Who or What Is Responsible For The Miracles And Transformations That Occur In Peoples’ Lives?
King Herod heard of all the things Jesus was doing. Jesus became well known because of his miracles: healings, casting out of demons, and his powerful teachings. Such power was not common amongst the Jews and Gentiles. So now, all of a sudden, all these miracles are happening and were capturing the attention of thousands upon thousands of people. Such Miracles were so uncommon that they figured it had to be a power or source outside of the realm of any humans.
1. Some said Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead.
2. Others said he was one of the Old Prophets raised from the dead.
3. Still others said he was Elijah, who was prophesied in Malachi 4:5. Malachi prophesied that Elijah would one day return to Earth. So it seemed reasonable to draw the conclusion that Jesus was Elijah. Elijah is the prophet who never died on Earth but was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire. Jesus, however, had once said during his ministry, that John the Baptist was the Elijah that was spoken of in Malachi. He definitely wasn’t the literal Elijah but a man resembling the mission of Elijah.
While everyone was trying to figure out who Jesus was, the Old Testament prophecies obtained the answer to their bewilderment. The prophecies declared the coming of the Messiah, the Chosen One, God’s son, who would heal, cast out demons, and preach the good news of the kingdom of God. He would bring Salvation to the world. If the people would have known the scriptures, they could have seen the fulfillment of the scriptures before their very eyes. Instead, they contributed it to something else.
God is still doing Miracles today through the Holy Spirit, promised by Jesus, to every believer who calls on his name. People’s lives are being changed and transformed. When Miracles occur, people today are still trying to explain such a phenomenon in a way so as not to acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. People healed by diseases hear doctors say, “It’s not a miracle from God but an unknown medical phenomena. ” Or “There’s an unknown scientific explanation for this healing.” Some call it the power of “positive thinking,” or give credit to the “spirits of past relatives.” Some give credit to the “aura” around one’s body, or to psychological factors.
People try really hard to give an explanation other than have to confess that there is a God, who sent his Son Jesus, who brought salvation and forgiveness to the world. For some people to say it is the power of God means they would have to change their whole way of thinking and living. It means giving up a life of sin for a life of redemption. And they don’t want to give up the pleasures of the world, so in order to justify their living, they deny the existence of Jesus.
What is the reason you give for lives being healed and transformed? Do you confess that it is Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit? Do you really believe that? Do you believe it in your heart or just in your mind? If you believe it in just your mind you’ll deny the power of God. If you believe it in your heart, you’ll live a life experiencing the power of God.
What do you believe?
