“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you” (Isaiah 60:1). Amen.
Dear friends in Christ,
Today we celebrate the 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany. Ok. Can anyone tell me, “What is an epiphany?”
In an effort to help you define the word, I offer you these choices – an epiphany is:
- A fictional flying elephant.
- A special brand of pipe tobacco.
- A start-up software company.
- Something hidden that is revealed.
Here’s a little hint, the answer is not a, b, or c.
The season of Epiphany is that part of the church year when we celebrate the fact that the helpless infant born that first Christ, who later walked among men in the form of a servant, did at times let rays of divine glory shine through. To put it simply, the humble baby born at Christmas - during Epiphany, is revealed to be the Son of God and Savior of the world.
How exactly did that happen? How did Jesus reveal himself to be the Son of God and Savior of the world? The answer: by doing things which only God can do. Think about that. What did Jesus do that others can’t? He performed miracles. Jesus proved his power over disease by healing the sick. He proved his power over Satan by casting out demons. He proved his power over earthly elements by changing water into wine, and feeding thousands with next to nothing. He proved his power over nature by walking on water and calming a storm. And finally, he proved his power over the grave by raising people from the dead.
Today we want to take a closer look at these amazing wonders performed by Jesus. We want to see how they revealed him to be the Son of God and Savior of the world. Today we focus on:
The Miracles of Christ
- They serve as His credentials
- They reveal His glory
There are over thirty miracles of Jesus recorded in the New Testament. The people who benefitted from them or witnessed them, (and the number was well into the thousands), were left in absolute awe. Yet these were not the only miracles Jesus did. The Apostle John informs us on two occasions that there were many, many more. He wrote, “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book” (John 20:30). A little while later he wrote, “Jesus did many other things as well. If everyone one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written” (John 21:25).
Out of all the miracles recorded for us in Scripture, which ones are your favorites? As you think about what might make your list, I’ll share mine.
- Jesus changes water into wine – I picked that one because it was the first of Jesus’ miracles.
- The feeding of the 5000 – This one might be my favorite. Think about this: Jesus fed 5000 men, not including women and children, so the number easily could have been 20,000 people, with five small loaves of bread and two fish, which is amazing in itself. But here’s the part I love – after everyone had eaten their full, the disciples collected twelve baskets of leftovers! There was more food at the end then when they started!
- Jesus calms the storm – Do you remember this one? Jesus and his disciples were trying to cross the Sea of Galilee, at night, during a bad storm. Now the disciples were experienced fishermen. So, if they were frightened, it must have been a bad one. Where was Jesus? Sleeping in the back of the boat. Out of fear, the disciples wake Jesus. Imagine, all Jesus said was, “Be still,” and the storm was gone, just like that. Who else can do that?
- Raising people from the dead – On three separate occasions Jesus raised people from the dead. No one else, in the history of the world has been able to do that, but Jesus did, three times. Even more impressive, he raised himself from the dead that first Easter morning.
As you would imagine, Jesus’ miracles had a tremendous impact on the people of his day. They left people in a state of shock and awe. But why do them? What was the purpose behind all these miracles? Certainly, many of Jesus’ miracles were done out of love and compassion for people. But that was not the main reason. Jesus performed miracles, and made sure they were recorded for us in Scripture, because they serve as his credentials. They serve as proof that he really was who he claimed to be – the Son of God and Savior of the world!
Those who believed in Jesus as the Promised Messiah – the miracles strengthened them in their convictions. Those who questioned if he might really be the one – were soon convinced and became believers. However, there were still those who witnessed these amazing acts of Christ but either could not or would not believe. In many cases, these skeptics were the religious leaders. While they could not deny his miracles, they refused to believe he was the Christ. Instead, they chose to view Jesus as a threat. It doesn’t take a genius to understand why. They were the religious leaders. People looked up to them. Now Jesus comes along, performing these amazing miracles, and the people were flocking to him! Not to them – to him! They feared losing their positions of power and prestige among the people. And besides that,Jesus didn’t fit their idea of what the Messiah would be. They were looking for a Messiah who would free them from the tyranny of Rome and re-establish Israel as a world power. So instead of embracing Jesus, they looked for ways to get rid of him.
There is a miracle recorded in Scripture that captures this tension between Jesus and the religious leaders, while also revealing Jesus in all his glory. Let’s take a little bit of time to review when Jesus healed the paralytic.
Mark 2:1-12
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, `Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, `Get up, take your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….” He said to the paralytic, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
Jesus had returned to the city of Capernaum, his home away from home, when news spread that he was back. People flocked to the home where he was staying. We’re told so many had gathered to hear him preach that there was standing room only.
We are then told of four enterprising men on a mission. They wanted to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus. Since they couldn’t get through the door because there were so many people, they went to the roof of the home, cut a hole in the roof, and lowered their friend down to Jesus. We’re told, “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “`Son, your sins are forgiven’” (Mark 2:5).
Wow! Can you imagine that! Jesus forgave this man his sins. Although he remained paralyzed, he was now free to stand before his Lord on Judgment Day, fully forgiven and saved. And so can you. Every time we gather for worship, we confess our sins before our Lord, and then the pastor, speaking on behalf of Jesus himself, assures us our sins are forgiven. Jesus’ death paid for each and every one. As a result, when you leave here today, you get to go home with the knowledge that one day, you too will stand before your Lord fully forgiven and saved.
Unfortunately, not everyone in that house was ready to believe. Jesus’ words caused quite a stir. There were some in the house, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who were not willing to concede that Jesus could actually forgive sins. They weren’t there to listen and to be edified. They were there because they were spying on him. They had already decided among themselves that they wanted to have Jesus killed. So when Jesus told the man his sins were forgiven, they sat there thinking to themselves, “Who does this guy think he is?” They thought, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mark 2:7).
The amazing thing is, these religious leaders never said a word. They didn’t need to. Jesus could read their hearts and their minds. Once more he revealed his omniscience when he asked, “Why are you thinking these things?” (Mark 2:8). To further prove his point Jesus asked, “Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, `Your sins are forgiven’ or to say `Get up, take your mat and walk?’” (Mark 2:9).
Jesus’ question was simple enough. Was it easier to forgive sins or to heal someone who was paralyzed? Of course, it seems much more difficult to heal someone than to forgive their sins. But wasn’t Jesus really asking more than that?
Jesus’ point was simply this: the ability to forgive someone their sins or to heal someone who is paralyzed are both equally impossible for man. But both are easy for God. However, for the religious leaders to admit that – they would have to admit that Jesus really was who he claimed to be: the Promised Messiah, the Savior of the world. And that was something they refused to do. Despite Jesus’ attempts to lead them to the truth, their hearts were hardened. They accuse Jesus of blasphemy. They accuse him of being who he actually is.
Despite their stubbornness, Jesus reached out to them again. He said, “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….” He said to the paralytic, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home” (Mark 2:10,11). And to everyone’s amazement, he did. The man, picked up his mat and walked out of the house. We’re told, “This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” (Mark 2:12).
The healing of the paralytic certainly reveals Jesus’ glory. He forgave this man’s sins – something only God can do, which the religious leaders admitted to. And then he healed the man right in front of everyone, leaving everyone amazed.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could witness just one miracle of Christ? How great would that be?! We too would be held in awe. We too would join with all the others and give Jesus glory and praise. Well, we can. You see the baptismal font right here? Every time an infant, child or adult comes forward to be baptized, you witness a miracle of Christ. Faith is created in that person’s heart! Their sins are washed away, he or she becomes a child of God and an heir of eternal life! At the baptismal font, a miracle is taking place right before our very eyes!
And then there is this: in just a few minutes, we have the opportunity to come before the Lord’s altar and receive the Lord’s Supper: Jesus’ body and blood together with the bread and wine. This is his personal promise that our sins are forgiven and that one day heaven will be our home. Through this sacrament, Jesus lifts us up and enables us to stand in God’s presence. Isn’t that amazing? Isn’t that worthy of praise?
During this season of Epiphany, we will continue to focus on the miracles of Christ. Lord willing, we will see them for what they are – Christ’s credentials. They reveal him to be the Son of God and Savior of the world. They also reveal his glory and give us the opportunity to sing his praise.
It is the season of Epiphany – what was once hidden in now revealed. Praise God.
Amen.
And now may the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, keep our hearts and minds through faith in Christ Jesus. Amen.