Undeniably Denied
Notes
Transcript
Three Messianic Miracles
Three Messianic Miracles
Isaiah 35:5–7 (CSB)
Then the eyes of the blind will be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
Then the lame will leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the mute will sing for joy,
for water will gush in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert;
the parched ground will become a pool,
and the thirsty land, springs.
In the haunt of jackals, in their lairs,
there will be grass, reeds, and papyrus.
Somewhere prior to the birth of Jesus miracles were put into two major categories
Miracles anyone would perform if empowered by God.
Miracles only the Messiah could perform.
Three Miracles that only the Messiah could perform.
Healing of a leper
Exorcism of a mute demon
Healing a man born blind
I. Healing of a leper (first evidence Plaquard)
Luke 5:13 (CSB)
Reaching out his hand, Jesus touched him, saying, “I am willing; be made clean,” and immediately the leprosy left him.
When the leper showed himself to the priests it triggered an investigation required by law in Leviticus 14.
Determine that the person indeed had leprosy.
Examine the person to determine he/she no longer had leprosy.
Investigate circumstances of the healing.
II. Exorcism of a mute demon (Second evidence plaquard)
Jewish Elder tradition of exorcism had three steps.
Establish communication with demon.
Learn demon’s name.
By use of that name, throw out the demon.
Jesus used this in Mark 5 with the demon named Legion.
Matthew 12:22–24 (CSB)
Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and unable to speak was brought to him. He healed him, so that the man could both speak and see. All the crowds were astounded and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”
When the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man drives out demons only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.”
Because of the first miracle we know the Pharisees have investigated Jesus. They found the miracle genuine and that is why they are present for this miracle.
The Pharisee’s reaction to this miracle was to attribute Jesus’ actions to Satan.
III. Healing a man born blind (Third evidence plaquard)
John 9:1–6(CSB)
As he was passing by, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” Jesus answered. “This came about so that God’s works might be displayed in him. We must do the works of him who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
After he said these things he spit on the ground, made some mud from the saliva, and spread the mud on his eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So he left, washed, and came back seeing.
Why is “born blind” more significant than simply “blind?”
Modern science gives us a window into this scenario.
Cardiff university did an experiment on kittens where they deprived their eyes of use for a series of days after their eyes were to naturally open. They found that the brain had transferred the neural load from one eye to another. They have learned alot about the plasticity of the brain and know that if a brain is deprived of activity in its formational stages, it loses the ability to function.
It isnt just a hardware issue, its a software issue. The healing would not simply be physical therapy for the healing of an injury. Even if a person born blind got new eyes, they still wouldn’t work because the programming provided by the brain would not be there. Only a true miracle could bring about this healing.
Jesus’ disciples brought a man to Jesus and asked a question that was a matter of debate in their day. “Did the parents sin or him?”
Judaism taught that the fetus had two inclinations in the womb.
Yetzer hara: good inclination
Yetzer hatov: evil inclination
They also taught the fetus could carry the sin of the parents.
Exodus 34:6–7 (CSB)
The Lord passed in front of him and proclaimed:
The Lord—the Lord is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth, maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But he will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation.
Jesus transcends this debate and heals this man.
Three miracles. Three proof positive examples to the pharisees that Jesus is the messiah. And three reactions.
Pharisee’s reactions
Leper healed: Intense investigation
Healing of a mute demon: Reject Jesus by reason of demonic possession
Man born blind healed: Anyone who believed in Jesus as Messiah was put out of the temple. Excommunicated.
What does it all mean?
The evidence has now been put in front of you. What do you believe? To what extent do you believe it?
Will you be inquisitive but uncommitted?
Convinced but cynical?
Certain of the truth, but live in opposition to it?
Jesus only accepts one response as legitimate. Its the response of the leprous man who was willing to be the evidence of healing. Its the response of the previously possessed who lives under the protection of his savior. It’s the response of the blind, who now see, that follows the evidence where it leads, back to Jesus.