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Miracles Do Happen
Mark 1:32-34 'That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases..' (NIV)
 Miracles are central to the Bible - and the whole of Christianity is founded on them. The incarnation, which C.S. Lewis called 'the grand miracle', is the core of the entire faith. All other miracles before and after that event point in some way to it as the key to our salvation. Jesus' birth itself was miraculous. Conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of a virgin girl, his parentage was totally unlike that of any other human being. This was an invasion from a higher place. The rest of Jesus' life was also filled with miraculous events. The first of our gospels to be written was that attributed to St. Mark. It was the only one of our gospels that was in circulation in the churches before the letters of Paul. Mark makes it very clear that it was Jesus' reputation for working miracles that first drew people to him, and made him the centre of so much attention. Some experts believe that there may have been another, earlier gospel in circulation before Mark's, and that this was probably specifically devoted to accounts of Jesus' miracles. When he was asked who gave him authority to teach as he did, Jesus not only pointed to his teaching, he directed people to his miracles. Only God's power could perform those miracles, he said. He challenged people to believe in him on the basis not just of what they heard, but because of what they saw. People today are looking for the same visible, living proof of the presence of God. Even in this age of hi-tech wizardry, we need to be people who believe for miracles in our lives, and for God's miracle power to work through us to others.
Prayer: 'Jesus, thank you that miracles do still happen, because you are still reaching out to a sad and weary world, with your incredible compassion and power. Make me a miracle-worker in some way, so that people see your love in action.'
© 2003-2004 Mal Fletcher
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