Do You Believe in Miracles?

The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching – and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him. News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee. Mark 1:27-28

What is a miracle?

 One might define it as an event not explainable by a natural process that requires a supernatural being’s direct interaction, usually God. As I have just finished reading through all 18 of the miracles in the book of Mark, I would say a miracle is when God demonstrates His divine power over disease, nature, the spirit world, and death. The purpose of these miracles was to prove Jesus’ true identity – God.

Several miracles in the book of Mark demonstrate God’s power over the spirit world and by extension Satan. Satan rules evil spirits. They are fallen angels that work on behalf of the enemy in the great rebellion against God. Mark shares many stories that show God’s superiority over the spirit world. In each of these miracles, what stood out to me was that it only took a simple spoken word or two from Jesus to shut the demons up and drive them out. Mark 1:25-28 says, “Be quiet…..Come out of him…the impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.“

We can marvel at the power of God over nature in the miracles of Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41), Jesus walking on water (Mark 6:47-56), and the withered fig tree (Mark 11:20-25). I love what Mark writes in Mark 4:41, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!“

Mark recorded several miracles where Jesus healed the sick by touch. Oh, how I would love to feel the physical touch of Jesus, wouldn’t you? Many people were healed when they reached out and touched His cloak. Jesus took the sick woman by the hand and lifted her to her feet. The hermit threw himself at the very feet of Jesus and was freed. No matter who you are, rich or poor, sinner or saint, known or unknown, no person is beyond the loving touch of Jesus.

The greatest miracle of Jesus’ life, of course, is His resurrection. His power over death. The epiphany of God’s limitless power reveals God’s holiness and demands that we worship Him as the highest. We do not worship an idea, a hope, or a dream. We are in the presence of a living God. A God whose Words demand obedience and whose touch is powerful enough to heal even the ugliest parts in each of us.

The Gospel of Mark is well able to establish a healthy faith in Jesus Christ and His kingdom. As I read each account of the 18 miracles in Mark, a new reverence for our Holy God overcame me. The power displayed in these accounts shook me. As we read, understand, and meditate upon the limitless power of the spoken, written, and breathed Word of God, the Holy Spirit awakens afresh a holy reverence for Christ. I would invite you to read through the book of Mark, paying particular attention to these 18 miracles. I promise the realization of God’s limitless power over all the earth will change you.

Heavenly Father, I stand in awe of your infinite, measureless, and mighty power and love. You restore the broken, no problem is too big for you. You bring beauty out of mess and calm the storms of life. Praise your mighty name.  In Jesus‘ name. Amen.

Relevant Bible Verses

Hebrews 2:1 – We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

Psalm 77:11 – I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

Reflect and Respond

In Psalm 77:11, we are encouraged to remember the miracles of long ago. Why do you think this is beneficial for us to do today?

Since we were not eyewitnesses to Jesus’ miracles, we must pay attention to the Word of God and keep it close to our hearts, so we do not drift away. (Hebrews 2:1). What are you doing to make sure you are never deaf or blind to the miracle of salvation?

I invite you to respond in prayer by worshiping the limitless power of Christ as seen in the miracles of Jesus.

Related Resources

Last year I did a study of the book of Psalms as a writer. We studied the genres of Psalms and how the Psalmist wrote the book. We then wrote our own psalm. I love responding to Scripture by writing poetry or a psalm. Here is a copy of my writing in response to studying the 18 miracles of Jesus in the book of Mark. I have titled the piece “Miracles.” Feel free to print it out and use it as a reminder of God’s limitless power and love. Click HERE to download it.