The Mighty Works of Jesus

Matthew 8:23-34; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:26-56

GOLDEN TEXT: “What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!”—Matthew 8:27

IT IS in keeping with this lesson that the poet wrote:

“Whether the wrath of the storm tossed sea
Or demons or men, or whatever they be,
No waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean, and earth and skies.”

The hope of both the church and the world is bound up in the fact that Jesus was, and still is, a worker of miracles. If we remove from Christianity the thesis of miracles there is nothing left but an empty and worthless shell. It was by a miracle that Jesus was born into the world. During His childhood and early manhood He was surrounded and protected by the miraculous providences of His Heavenly Father. There was a miracle in connection with His baptism. He performed miracles throughout the entire period of His ministry; and following His crucifixion as the Redeemer of the world, He was raised from the dead by the greatest miracle of all time.

The miracles related in our lesson for today are but samples of mighty works performed by Jesus. Jesus gave His Father credit for the power by which these miracles were performed—“I can of Mine own self do nothing,” He declared. (John 5:30) Concerning the miracle of turning water into wine, it is said, “This beginning of miracles did Jesus, and manifested forth His glory.” (John 2:11) The thought we get from this is that the mighty works of the Master, among other things, were intended to foreshadow the life-giving miracles that He would later perform on behalf of all mankind, during the thousand years of His Kingdom glory.

It is well to remember this viewpoint of the mighty works of Jesus, else we might be led to erroneous conclusions as to the purpose and work of Christ in the earth throughout the Gospel age. If we conclude that His miracles were to be continued in and through His followers, the church, then we are sure to be disappointed, for the Lord’s people generally have not experienced miracles such as were witnessed during the time that Jesus walked up and down in Galilee.

Three important miracles are presented in today’s lesson: the stilling of the storm-tossed sea; the casting out of devils; and the raising of the dead. The first of these illustrates the ability of divine power to control the atmospheric elements, and that this will be done wherever and whenever necessary in the interests of His people. We are not to gather from this, however, that the Christian should expect the Lord to always give him fair weather in which to serve Him. Sometimes the hardships of storm and cold may be what we most need for our spiritual growth.

More important to us as Christians is the manner in which the Lord is able to calm the storms of human fears and passions that may be raging in our hearts and lives. Happy are we if by faith we can hear and obey His reassuring message to us, “Peace be still.” If we love Him and His will supremely, and have learned that what He permits is the very best for us, then we will know the verity of the promise “Great peace have they which love Thy law, and nothing shall offend them.”—Psa. 119:165

Satanic influence, not only of the devil himself, but also of his fallen angels has always been a menace to the happiness of mankind. By casting out demons Jesus foreshadowed the Kingdom work of destroying all Satanic influence in the lives of the people. He will do this literally for Christians in this age, and for the whole world in the Millennial age. And if we look to Him for guidance and help we will find that He will also protect us from the evil spiritual influences of false and deceptive doctrines by which Satan and the fallen angels attempt to draw Christians away from the knowledge and service of the true God.

By the awakening of Jarius’ daughter from the sleep of death Jesus illustrated the divine, life-giving power centered in Him who is “the resurrection and the life,” and the fact that the time is coming when “all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth.” (John 5:28,29) What a happy day that will be for mankind, for thus will be literally fulfilled the promise to wipe away tears from off all faces.—Isaiah 25:6-9

While God’s program for the church throughout the Gospel age has not been one of miracles such as Jesus performed, yet every follower of the Master is a miracle of divine grace. God’s providences overshadow us, and we have the assurance that all things work together for good to those who now love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. But this is an age of sacrifice, and it may be that for most of us the Lord sees that poverty is better than riches; partial health better than good health, trials better than ease, etc. The miracles of the Lord in these experiences are the ways in which He gives us strength to bear whatever may come of joy or sorrow.

When the church is complete, and the Kingdom fully established, then will be resumed, on a world-wide scale, the program of literally healing the sick, and raising the dead. Those will be mighty works indeed, utterly beyond the ability of man, but “the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” The church will share with the Master in those mighty works, for did He not say, “These works shall ye do, and greater works.”—John 14:12

QUESTIONS:

What was one of the main purposes of the miracles performed by Jesus?

Should the followers of Jesus’ expect Him to provide fair weather in which to serve Him, and to heal their physical diseases?

Will the time ever come when all the dead will be raised?

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