Yesterday I was reading some of my writings from 2015, having to do with Miracles as a part of the proclamation of the Kingdom. Here are links to the three reflections in order in which I read them:
1) https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-proof-of-pudding-is-in-eating.html
2) https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2015/03/relying-on-lord-to-confirm-their-words.html
3) https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2015/03/power-for-change-our-response-to.html
As I finished the last reflection, I was thinking about how interesting it is that we have whole church streams committed to preaching that all such miracles ceased with the end of Apostolic age, and many churches who are not specifically cessationist, but who do not regularly preach and see miracles. I was pondering these thoughts and had a new thought run through my mind, that seemed like something I should dig into a bit more.
The last reflection had to do with something Jesus said, found in the Gospel of Matthew 11:21-24 NIV:
[21] “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. [22] But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. [23] And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. [24] But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
Part of Jesus' point here is that miracles are supposed to change us, to cause us to repent, to recognize that God is real and moving in our midst. If we are confronted with these realities, and we don't change, woe to us.
The thought that ran through my mind yesterday morning was as follows, "however, if they never see miracles, then they don't have to change, and they don't want to change, as they like their religion just the way it is."
That thought was like an alarm bell going off in my spirit!
Is it possible that, especially in the western church, we prefer our nice orderly services, where everything fits and we don't really want to be confronted with God in our lives, more than our "nice" Sunday gatherings, where we leave feeling good about our lives, and blessed because of our material wealth? Is it possible that we have an undercurrent of unbelief that is essentially a "Holy Spirit not welcome sign", because we don't want to be confronted by something that will force us to change? We hold ourselves better than Chorazin because we "believe", but I wonder if we are better, or actually more deluded?
Are we more like the people who didn't want Jesus to actually visit their villages? (Luke 8:37)
Are we afraid of the changes that might be required?
Are we happy when we hear about miracles happening somewhere else, as it affirms our general belief, but also glad its somewhere else so we don't need to change what we are doing, or how we are living?
If miracles are truly happening, why are we not hunting down the proof, proclaiming to the world that God is alive and working miracles on the earth, even today!?
I find myself very uncomfortable with these questions, for I find in myself some similar thinking, if I am totally honest! I say I am all in, but I also love my comfortable life, my quiet evenings, my Sundays watching football, my generally normal life. I like my little comfort box. How would this change if the Lord started working miracles in our midst?
Continuing on in this vein of thinking:
How will I react to moves of the Holy Spirit that are uncomfortable?
How will I respond if I see God do something so significant that it causes me to re-evaluate my faith, my life pursuit, my future plans?
I was reminded of the story of the Lord healing (through Peter and John) the lame beggar outside the temple, found in Acts 3:6-12,16 NIV:
[6] "Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” [7] Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. [8] He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. [9] When all the people saw him walking and praising God, [10] they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. [11] While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade."
[12] "When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?"
[16] "By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see."
- continuing the story to its conclusion in the following chapter -
Acts 4:3-4 NIV:
[3] "They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. [4] But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand."
Doing some quick math, its possible that 2000 people converted to belief because of this one miracle and the following proclamation! Imagine how that messed up the fledgling church! Except it didn't, the church continued to grow in favor and believers! Continuing on we find the following description of the church - Acts 5:12-16 NIV:
[12] "The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. [13] No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. [14] Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. [15] As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. [16] Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed."
Oh Lord, that we would have more hunger for You than desire for our own comfort! Lord, we desire to see You glorified, to see Your name help high, to see You church respond in repentance and changed Lives! We desire to see You move in the miraculous!
Oh Lord, forgive my unbelief, my own desire for comfort more than passion for You! Help me to lay down anything that would keep me in my comfort box!
Lord, I want to see miracles, and proclaim Your Name, even as Peter did 2000 or so years ago! You are the same today!
Amen and Amen!
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