Are you ready for a miracle? The Book of John

What does “miracle” mean? What can the book of John teach us here? Everything ! For me, this book is my foundation. The 7 Miracles of Christ and the 7 Names of Christ given are what makes Christianity completely different than any other faith.  Miracles are “intended to “ENGENDER BELIEF” (Thomas Nelson Study Bible commentary) Doesn’t it fit with the FACT that the word “BELIEVE” (in the Greek “pisteuo”) occurs 90 times in this Gospel?!

I. DEFINE MIRACLE -” A miracle can be defined as an act Jesus Christ performed while on earth to confirm his Deity.  In addition, the apostles performed “signs” to attest to their divine  authority from God. This was the initial building of the early church. Yet, we all use the phrase “It’s a miracle!” when we get a parking place , a  free coffee, or pass Algebra.   Are there 2 types of miracle?  If we define a miracle as “only the things Jesus performed on earth to validate His identity” This is different than the miracles we ask for.   If we are thinking of the context of Christ’s visit , then a miracle is the supernatural power of God entering the natural world of mankind. Jesus is alive & His miracles exhibited His  Messianic title. It would seem that this kind of miracle is finished because Jesus said “It is finished!” 

 What now?  Can’t we get some miracles too, today?  Yes! God is unhindered by anything! He loves it when His kids ask Him for something because He is a good father.  Our role is ask & pray, ask & pray, ask & pray. He may “Yes!”or He may say “no”. Yet, we keep knocking! Sometimes the “miracle” we think we want could actually hurt us and He is acting as Protector. He has a huge plan perfectly synched and can see all things throughout all time. Yet, maybe He wants to give us a miracle to demonstrate His power and increase our faith. Maybe He wants to say “yes!” 

II. JESUS’S Miracles in John

  • TURNING WATER TO WINE
  • HEALING THE OFFICIAL’S SON
  • HEALING THE LAME MAN
  • FEEDING THE 5,000
  • WALKING ON WATER
  • HEALING THE BLIND MAN
  • RAISING LAZARUS FROM THE DEAD

III.   What can we learn?

  • Miracle #1 Ch.2:1-11 Turning Water to Wine-Jesus’ power over natural objects-He is Creator.
  • MIRACLE #2. Ch. 4:46-54 Healing the Official’s Son-Jesus’ power over death (and the fact the boy from a distance!) show He is not contained by space.
  • Miracle #3Ch.5:8 Healing the Lame Man (on the Sabbath!). Our lessons here are “Jesus is LORD over the Sabbath”, that He can heal, and that we are to rejoice in His healing!
  • Miracle #4Ch.6:1-15 Feeding the 5,000! The truth to learn here is only GOD can create. I always love to imagine the little boy who shared his lunch…he must have been proud that Master Jesus used his little gift to feed thousands!
  • Miracle#5 Ch. 6:16-21 Jesus walking on the water must have shocked the disciples. Lesson here? He has complete control over nature….and consequently, my life!
  • Miracle#6 Ch.9:38 A man, blind, ALL his life and Jesus gives him the glorious gift of sight. Perhaps the first face he saw was Christ’s! I love the man’s defense of Jesus and the way He worshipped Him.
  • Miracle #7Ch. 11:1-25 Raising of Lazarus. Unquestionably, my favorite miracle of all time! The final miracle proves HIS power to raise the dead and that He will raise us someday too because we “have believed in Him WHOM He has sent”!

Learn the ways of Christ & study how He performs the impossible in human life. Ask for your miracles-but always after thanking Him for His!

READY TO LEARN THE NAMES OF CHRIST? I am!

HELLO FRIENDS!

I’m praying you are enjoying being SATURATED by His Word! In regard to the Seven “I AM’s” (or Names) of Jesus Christ, there are a few critical things to observe. This is, perhaps, the most powerful part of the book. WHY? Because HE identifies Himself through HIS own words.

1. I was astounded as I looked at the book again and noticed the words “I AM”. Remember, the cultural non-believing Jewish community did not even speak the sacred name of GOD (Yahweh). YET, Jesus proclaims it boldly! HE IS BRAVE ABOUT HIS IDENTITY!

2.Interesting observation for me: 2 of the 7 “I AM’s” are in direct relation to His identity as a shepherd. HE is the “DOOR” and He is the “GOOD SHEPHERD” of the sheep.

3.I was surprised that all the names of Christ (again the “I AM’S) are located between Chapters 6 and 15.

4.Finally, as you read this list, THINK DEEPLY (some call this study technique “interpreting” a bible verse) what you think it means.

  • WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT HE IS “MY BREAD OF LIFE”? IS HE MY TRUE NOURISHMENT OR DO I CLING TO THINGS OTHER THAN JESUS?
  • WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT HE IS THE “WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER BUT THROUGH ME.” DOES THIS MEAN HE IS THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN?
  • LASTLY, PERHAP MY FAVORITE VERSE IS JOHN 11:25 . Why? BECAUSE I BELIEVE JESUS DEFEATED DEATH AND MY SIN NATURE AT THE CROSS! DO YOU BELIEVE THIS AND HAVE THIS SECURITY?

HERE ARE THE SEVEN ”I AM’S” of Jesus Christ:

1. “I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE.” (John 6:35, 41, 46, and 51)

2. “I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.” (John 8:12)

3. “I AM THE DOOR OF THE SHEEP” (John 10:7,9)

4. “I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD.” (John 10:11,14)

5. “I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE.” (John 11:25)

6.”I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE.” (John 14:6)

7. “I AM THE TRUE VINE.” (John 15:1, 5)


Blessings in HIM,

Tristie Fisher, 2010

“Living Water for a Thirsty Soul”