Here’s the question that we will look at in today’s Light on Life podcast. Do people need miracles to believe Jesus is real? The fact that people believe that Jesus does miracles is decidedly true. The percentage of adults who mostly agree or completely agree with the statement, “Even today, miracles are performed by the power of God,” sits at 82%, according to a Princeton Religion Research Center’s PRRC Emerging Trends survey.¹

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Jesus Heals A Blind Man: Why You Can Have Hope

[Tweet “God is — He just plain is a miracle-working God.”]

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You can view a basic transcript of this podcast at the bottom of this section.

Accept the Challenge

Each week’s podcast contains a call to action. The Word of God will not produce in your life unless you put it into operation.
This week’s call is:

Jesus is real, and miracles matter to Him- and they should matter to you. But, if you never had one, that wouldn’t nullify God’s Word at all. The same faith that got you saved can get you healed.

Join the Conversation

Testimony is vital to a believer’s life. We overcome by it (Rev. 12:11). Each week’s podcast also contains a question designed to encourage testimony.
This week’s question is:

Question: How does understanding that Jesus is real changed your everyday life? Would you please share your thoughts in the comments section below?

Episode Resources:

You can find additional information on the subject of Miracles in the resources listed below.

1. Why Divine Healing Is Better for Your Life [Podcast]
2. Changing A Life Through Miracles
3. Becoming A Student of Miracles: More Lessons
4. Is God A Miracle Working God?
5. The Value of Humility and Consecration In the Miracles of God
6. Healing Scripture List
7. How You Can Know Jesus Will Do Miracles for You [Podcast]
8. Why You Should Absolutely Be a Student of Miracles [Podcast]
9. How to Use the Name of Jesus to Live a Miracle Life [Podcast]
10. Why This Miracle of Jesus Matters [Podcast]

About Emery

Emery committed his life to the Lord Jesus Christ over 40 years ago and has served as both a full-time pastor and an itinerant minister. Both he and his wife Sharon of 35 years emphasize personal growth and development through the Word of God. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is both the focus and the hallmark of their mission. Read more about them here.

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If you enjoyed the podcast, please rate it on Stitcher Radio and leave a review. If you have a suggestion for a Bible topic, you would like to see taught, or if you have a question, please e-mail me at emery@emeryhorvath.com.

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Podcast Notes

Jesus Is Real and Miracles

John 12:35–43 (ESV) — 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, 40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.” 41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

Knowing Jesus Is Real? – Are Miracles the Only Answer?

• This portion of scripture answers a critical question about the connection between miracles and belief in the Son of God.
• Now, make no mistake about it, I am a ‘miracle believing, healing believing, God can fix anything He created’ kind of Jesus follower.
• Miracles matter.
• Signs and wonders are God’s forte.
• They are God’s reminder to us of the happenings of Genesis one and His magnificent ability to create something out of nothing.
• God is — He just plain is a miracle-working God.
• And all that He is will always be what He is today, right now, in the day in which we live.
• His power is in the present tense, not the past.
• His works are in the present tense.
• Miracles have not been done away with – don’t believe the report of some.
• Some followers of Jesus sincerely believe that healing has been done away with – that God only instituted healing through the ministry of Jesus and the early church to get the church started.
• And, after that, they feel that we don’t need this miraculous component of Christianity — that all we need is the Word.
• I am saying this rather humbly – I appreciate every believer in Jesus, even when I disagree with them.
• And in this case, though they are sincere in their stance on this subject — I believe them to be sincerely wrong.
• The Most High God has not stopped doing miracles.
• Where there is faith — there are powerful displays of God’s healing and miraculous grace.

Jesus Is Real: His Hometown of Nazareth

Mark 6:1–5 (ESV) — 1 He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” 5 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them.

• Notice in verse one that Jesus came to His hometown — His hometown is in Nazareth.
• So, in Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown, verse five informs us that Jesus could do no mighty work there.
• The scripture didn’t say He wouldn’t do it — it said He couldn’t do it.
• There is a worldwide gulf of difference between ‘wouldn’t’ and ‘couldn’t.’
• Have you ever thought of God not being able to do something?
• Jesus, the Holy Son of God, the Messiah, the second member of the Godhead, couldn’t heal many in Nazareth.
• Jesus’ ministry was not real to them.
• The word ‘few’ in Greek means small, slight, or little.
• So, Jesus healed only a small number, a slight number, a little number — I know that’s improper English, but you get the idea — He only just got a small number of people in Nazareth free from sickness and disease.
• The next Greek word we should look at is the word ‘sick’ – ‘Jesus healed a few sick’ and, with that thought, that brings us to the definition of the day.
• The Greek word ‘sick’ used here by John means ill or powerless.
• Jesus healed a few people who were ill — a small number who were powerless.
• That means in Nazareth, Jesus left some ill people behind still suffering.
• In Nazareth, some who were powerless — remained in that condition — they continued in that state.
• Now, Jesus was anointed with the Spirit without measure, John 3:34 tells us.
• So, there was plenty of power for the powerless, but that available power did not go into operation because the powerless did not make a demand on it with their faith.
• On the contrary, they didn’t believe that Jesus was who He said he was — they didn’t see Him as Healer — they didn’t think that He was able.
• Thye didn’t believe Jesus was real.

Jesus Is Real: The Healing of Two Blind Men

Matthew 9:28–30 (ESV) — 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened…

• These blind men believed Jesus was able — in fact, that’s all they believed.
• They exercised faith in Jesus’ ability, and they received their sight.
• Notice all the faith they used — so often we think it must be some exceptional level that we must aspire to, some intense high-level spiritual level of piety.
• Listen to the conversation again between two blind men needing to have their sight restored and Jesus.

Jesus: ‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?’ – Yes.

• That was it — these men believed in Jesus’ ability, but it was one step more than that.
• This conversation was a personal one — it was one on one.
• So, they didn’t just believe Jesus could heal – they believed that He could heal THEM.
• Just that little bit of nuance is essential.
• Many believe God can, but they are not sure if He will do it for them — they think there is some extenuating circumstance – some secret sin in their past – that disqualifies them — if they could just get that right, they could be healed.
• These two blind men didn’t jump through any of these hoops.
• All they did was say yes to Jesus.
• Won’t you say Yes to Him today? — won’t you allow Jesus to heal you?
• So, Jesus didn’t get the kind of ‘faith cooperation‘ he needed in Nazareth.
• Only a few in Jesus’ hometown tapped into His power with faith.
• The majority of Jesus’ neighbors were stuck in unbelief.
• Compare this result to some of Jesus’ other meetings, like some of His campaigns in Capernaum.

Jesus Shows He’s Healing Ministry Is Real – He Heals Many

Matthew 8:16 (ESV) — 16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.

• In Nazareth, a few were healed— here in Capernaum; He healed many.
• The Greek word ‘many’ used here means a considerable number.
• It means much or an extensive quantity.
• So, in Nazareth a little, in Capernaum, a substantial number — what was the difference?
• He marveled because of their unbelief.
• Unbelief is the difference between a few and the many.
• Doubt is the cap — it is the limiter.

Mark 11:23–24 (ESV) — 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

• Now, follow that up with this passage in James.

James 1:5–6 (ESV) — 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

• The scripture here says, ‘lacking wisdom.’
• The principle is the same no matter what area you lack — do you lack healing?
• Then let him ask in faith with no doubting.
• Again, doubt is the cap – doubt is the limiter.
• And, it’s too easy to get over into doubt — you can slip over there so fast that you don’t even realize it.
• So, just recently, I was in the presence of a person who tested positive for COVID.
• I wasn’t in close contact, only for a minute or so.
• But, I slipped over into unbelief — I knew it immediately.
• To frame this properly for you, you have to know my confession of faith before we go further.
• Here it is: every disease, germ, and virus that touches my body dies in Jesus’ Name.
• I had this as a declaration of faith long before COVID hit the scene.
• Every disease, germ, and virus that touches my body dies in the Name of Jesus.
• So with that confession in tow, I come across this person, and as I said, I slipped over into unbelief.
• I took a step back from this person, trying to keep my distance.
• As I said, I slipped over into unbelief, and I knew it right away.
• Where is the unbelief, you say?
• If every disease, germ, and virus touches my body dies, why would I need to step back? — if Corona tries to get on me, it’s going to die anyway.
• Instead of stepping back, maybe I should have stepped forward!
• I determined to respond that way next time.
• But I fought a 24 hour battle over this.
• The enemy was bombarding my mind.
• But, I opened myself up to that because I didn’t stay in faith.
• So, a few got healed in Nazareth, that’s opposed to the many in Capernaum.
• Here’s another example of many being healed under the ministry of Jesus.

Luke 4:40 (ESV) — 40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.

• In this verse, the testimony of scripture shows that Jesus’ healing ministry is real because He healed everyone He kaid laid hands on.

Jesus Is Real: Why Does God Require Faith?

• Let’s go over the testimony of scripture again: ‘though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him.’
• This crowd saw Jesus’ miracles, but they didn’t believe enough to be healed themselves, nor did they believe enough to follow Him.
• So, this crowd is limited in life because that’s what unbelief does; it limits the results of God’s miracle-working power.
• Now, what is one reason why it does?
• Well, Craig Keener, in his Bible Background Commentary, offers a suggestion and, with that thought, here’s the quote of the day.

> Keener says that to heal without morally directed faith would be to act like the pagan magicians of antiquity.[Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), Mk 6:1–6.]

• Well, that’s an excellent thought to meditate on — these pagan magicians were just performers.
• They just wanted a following; they didn’t care how they got it either.
• God requires something other than your basic everyday pagan soothsaying healer.
• He requires faith — your faith — your trust in Him — your confidence in God.
• We know that miracles matter to God because He loves people, and sometimes it takes a miracle to extricate His kids.
• Freedom is His promise to us as His children.

John 8:31–32 (ESV) — 31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

• So, Jesus came to show us what God is like – and of course, miracles were a part of that showing.
• Just take a look at this gospel list: it’s a massive list in and of itself but is only a representative list.
• It doesn’t even include half of what He did — John tells us that.

John 20:30–31 (ESV) — 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Jesus Is Real: Miracles in Matthew

• Jesus is real, and his healing power is real as well, and he demonstrated that reality healing the multitudes in Matthew 4:23–24.
• He cleanses a leper, heals a Centurion’s servant, and Peter’s mother-in-law, and, while He’s at it, many others in Capernaum, and frees people from demon possession.
• Plus, if that wasn’t enough, Jesus supernaturally calms a storm in that same chapter — all that in Matthew eight.
• Jesus, then, heals a paralyzed man, a bleeding woman, two blind men, and raises the daughter of a Synagogue Ruler, heals every sickness and disease He encounters — all of that is recorded in Matthew chapter nine.
• Then in chapter twelve, we have more miracles: we have the healing of a man with a withered hand — we have many others who followed Him, and more people delivered from demon possession.
• Then, in Matthew fourteen, another tremendously large number of people are healed. Then, Jesus turns around and feeds that crowd which numbered 5000 men, besides women and children — you are looking at a group of about 20,000 people that Jesus people.
• But, in Nazareth, He was hard-pressed to get anybody healed.
• We are still in Matthew fourteen — Jesus walks on water calms the winds and the waves.
• And then more people get healed in Gennesaret, and the people from that region came out to be healed, and as many as touched Him were made whole.
• That’s all chapter fourteen — are you getting a clue that Jesus is a Healer?
• He is but just knowing that won’t work for you — you have to take Him as your Healer.
• But, we are not through yet; we have a few more chapters left in Matthew.
• So, in chapter fifteen, Jesus healed a Syrophoenician’s woman’s daughter.
• And then, we have this scriptural record at the end of this chapter.

Jesus Is Real: Heals People by the Sea of Galilee

Matthew 15:29–31 (ESV) — 29 Jesus went on from there and walked beside the Sea of Galilee. And he went up on the mountain and sat down there. 30 And great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and they put them at his feet, and he healed them, 31 so that the crowd wondered when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled healthy, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel.

• Jesus heals all of these people and then turns around and feeds them all — this is the second mass feeding miracle — the first one was 5000 men — this crowd was 4,000.
• We move on to seventeen, and Jesus is transfigured, and Moses and Elijah appear and speak — what a glory-packed miraculous event.
• Jesus comes down from that experience and heals a young epileptic boy with a demon.
• The young boy doesn’t have it anymore once Jesus rebukes that demon.
• The miraculous, that’s what I am talking about here — Jesus’ ministry is packed and stacked with the supernatural.
• We are in chapter 17. — It’s tax time — Peter needs money for taxes — and at Jesus’ command, he goes fishing — catches the first fish and takes a guess what’s in its mouth? — tax money.
• Now you know, I have run into tons of people who love fishing, and wouldn’t this be the number one way to pay your taxes all you fishermen out there?
• But you have to remember one thing — fishing was Peter’s livelihood — so Jesus provided the tax money out of Peter’s job, but He did it supernaturally.
• God can do miracles on your job to get needed money to you.
• Now, we are moving on in chapter nineteen — Jesus heals people in Judea — large crowds of people were restored that day — Matthew 19:1–2.
• Then Jesus heals two blind men in Jericho in chapter 20.
• In twenty-one, He heals blind and lame people in the Temple.
• Then curses a fig tree which dries up from the roots just by speaking to it — Jesus said to it, ‘No man eat fruit from you forever.’
• All He did was speak it out, and it happened — it took place within twenty-four hours.
• So, we have all of these miracles of Jesus — these people saw them — they witnessed it — and what was the bottom line to all of that?
• John tells us, we read it already — let’s hear it again — ‘Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him.’
• Right at the beginning of John’s gospel, in the first chapter, John mentions this about Israeli’s response to the Messiah’s person: ‘He came to His own, and His own received him not.’
• Chronologically, nearly three years and a half years later, right during the last two weeks of Jesus’ life, we have essentially the same saying: ‘though He had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in Him.’
• He came to His own — they didn’t believe Him — they didn’t receive Him.
• The rejection of Jesus by His people is one of the themes of the gospel of John.
• So, do people need miracles to believe? — It didn’t work for Israel?
• It didn’t work in Israels’ case, but don’t stop there.
• This is so important — you have to ask, ‘why didn’t they believe?’
• To get that answer, you have to keep reading.

So that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.”

• John here is quoting from Isaiah 6:10.
• In Isaiah’s day, seven-hundred years before, Israel refused to believe God, believe His prophets, believe His Word — they refused — they dug their heels in the ground and said, ‘No way — no how — we reject the Word of the Lord.’
• Because they did, God blinded their eyes so they couldn’t see.
• He closed their ears so they couldn’t hear.
• Because they constantly rejected God’s revelation, God froze them in their unbelief.
• Kind of like, some of these prehistoric animals that they find frozen in ice.
• Man, you do not want the Lord to get so fed up with you that He freezes you in your unbelief.
• Because now you are immobilized.
• Keep reaching out to Him — keep talking to Him — keep your hearts toward God all the time.
• So in Isaiah’s day, the people refused to believe, and in Jesus’ day, it was the same thing.
• So miracles didn’t help them to believe, but it wasn’t because of the miracles because of their choices.
• The power of Christianity lies in choices — your choices.
• Make sure you keep your heart pointed toward God – pointed toward heaven.
• You guys have a great God week in Jesus’ Name Amen.

Why Answered Prayer Is the Proof You Need to Take a Stand

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