Why did Jesus heal

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Why did Jesus heal?
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Jesus and the kingdom of God

• What Jesus taught about the kingdom of God is the
  starting point for understanding his message
  (last week)
• Jesus demonstrated the kingdom by how he lived
  and related to people (this week)

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One bishops view

• The Mighty Acts of God by Bishop Craig
  Johnson
• Did Jesus really do the miracles attributed to
  him?
• Why did Jesus heal?
• What do they prove or demonstrate?

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Debate about miracles

• They happened exactly as reported and prove
  Jesus divinity OR
• They have natural explanations OR
• They point to something else

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Miracles in Jesus matrix

• Similar miracles done by Jewish prophets
• Jesus disciples did miracles
• Men of deeds performed miracles
• Roman emperors, magicians, sorcerers had the
  power to heal

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Miracles and Church Fathers

• Origen
• See miracles in context of Jesus whole ministry
• Augustine
• Miracles shouldnt be the foundation of faith

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Miracles and Martin Luther

• Miracles arent a good reason to believe in Jesus
• Jesus experience on the cross is more important
• Miracles of healing are signs of the kingdom of
  God
• Miracles are the action form of Jesus words
• Miracles give us a glimpse of the resurrection
  life

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Questions about miracles

• What happened?
• What does it mean?
• What does it say about Jesus?
• From a Christian perspective, we assume that
  Jesus was not just another healer like others of
  his time

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Mighty in Deed /
Wonder-worker

• Remarkable
• Known as healer and exorcist
• Made him famous
• Gospels devote a lot of space to Jesus signs

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Miracles and modernity

• Modern day scholars acknowledge the historical
  nature of Jesus power
• We dont know how the miracles happened
• Psychosomatic
• Supernatural intervention
• Accept that we dont know

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Jesus and exorcism

• Read and discuss Matthew 828-34
• What do demons see?
• What might the demons also symbolize
• How are the demoniacs described?
• How are the demons disposed of?
• What is the towns reaction? Why do you suppose
  they reacted that way?

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Exorcism and the kingdom of God

• Showed what separated someone from God
• Jesus overcame uncleanness and alienation
• Jesus banished the forces of evil from life
• Jesus restores victims to health and community

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Jesus and healing

• Read and discuss Matthew 129-14
• Where and when does this healing occur?
• Who is asking the question and why?
• Does Jesus question the Sabbath or Torah?
• What do you think was Jesus primary purpose in
  healing the man with the withered hand?
• What, if anything, does this say about keeping
  the Sabbath holy? What is holy activity?
• On what basis does Jesus make these new claims?

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Healing and the kingdom of God

• Showed what separated someone from God
• Jesus overcame uncleanness and alienation
• Jesus banished the forces of evil from life
• Jesus restores victims to health and community

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Demonstrate the kingdom of God

• Healing more than the physical
• Signs of long-awaited restoration
• Signs of Jesus connection with God
• Signs of Gods goodness
• Signs that the kingdom of God is breaking in

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Additional thoughts

• What about skepticism?
• Are miracles real? What do you think?
• Roman Catholic church and exorcisms
• M. Scott Peck, MD, possession study

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Questions?