74. FINDING THE SOURCE OF HOPE Hope is really what we all need. But is there any source of certain hope in this world?
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If you could wish for a miracle what would it be? Would it be a miracle of healing for yourself or a loved one? How would you de ne a miracle? Do you use the word "miracle" simply to describe something that is very unusual? Or can something only be a miracle if God uses supernatural power to change the normal course of events? Do you consider getting a new job or winning the lottery a miracle or just luck? For example, international and local newspapers have described Turkey’s economic recovery from 2002- 2011 as a "miracle." Was it really a miracle or just a well planned out economic plan?
Should we expect miracles from God? If so, what are the conditions of a miracle? What role does faith play in miracles? What is the purpose of a miracle? In this lesson we will answer these questions. To help us prepare, let’s consider the following events and determine if they were miracles.
On June 29, 2011 at 2pm, a 34 year old man named Ersin stopped his car on the Boğaziçi Bridge, got out, and threw himself off the structure. He fell 64 meters to the water and lived. Other than a few broken bones, he was physically okay. The newspapers all called it a miracle. Actually Ersin was the 21st person to survive the fall. Was their survival luck or was it the direct intervention of God?
Ten year old Figen was swimming in the Marmara Sea near Gallipoli. Her father was in the military and they had gone for an outing. Figen wanted to swim to a distant point but couldn't make it. She went under the water and when she was pulled to the shore
she was not breathing. A doctor had just been transferred to the base. The doctor's family was also swimming at the beach that day. They were going to leave the beach earlier but were delayed. At that time (mid 1970's) he was one of only two doctors in Turkey that knew CPR. He revived Figen and she lived. When Figen wanted to personally thank him, she found that he had already been transferred somewhere else. His departure was as mysterious as his arrival. Was the appearance of a uniquely qualified doctor, at the right time and place, just a coincidence or was it the providence of God?
At Çanakkale, Mustafa Kemal Paşa and his forces were in the midst of a battle surrounded by enemies. While observing the ranks he felt something strike his chest. He looked down and saw a bullet hole on the right side of his coat. An officer named Nuri Conker Bey was standing at his side and immediately said,
"Sir, you have been struck!"
Mustafa Kemal Paşa, thinking that the event might have a negative effect on the troops, put his finger on the officer's lips and said to him,
"Be quiet. Don't say anything."
A piece of shrapnel had hit Mustafa Kemal Paşa in the chest and destroyed his pocket watch but left him unscathed. Was it coincidence or was it the direct intervention of God? How can we really know?
Let's turn to the Bible and read two stories about miracles. Perhaps they will give us better insight as to the nature and purpose of miracles. The stories can be found in Mark chapter 5 verses 22-34:
22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, 23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. 24 So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him. 25 Now a certain woman had a ow of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 28 For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." 29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the af iction. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?" 31 But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?' " 32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."
Perhaps you have been to a hospital and seen a waiting room full of people who have spent the night there. The pillows and blankets tucked into the corners of chairs are proof that they are trying to make themselves comfortable as they constantly attend to the needs of a loved one undergoing long-term care. They have spent nights with only a few hours sleep, without shower or change of clothes, waiting for news that their loved-one is getting better. Sometimes this goes on for years. They have sold their last cow, their money is all gone, and yet they cling to a hope that life will get better.
In the biblical account, the woman who touched Jesus had received medical care for twelve years. Her money was spent and she only had one hope left, Jesus Christ. She had heard of his healing power and believed that he could heal her too. She said to herself,
"If I can only touch his garment, I will be healed."
Guess what. She was healed! Healed at last! Imagine her joy. How could she ever explain or show her appreciation to Jesus? She was free of the sickness that had ailed her for 12 years.
Many people who read the story may think that there was special power in Jesus’ clothes. After all he is a holy person. Throughout history people have visited shrines, temples, and “holy” places with pools of water hoping that the water would heal them.
Archaeologists have found clay figures shaped like feet, hands, eyes, and other body parts, which people offered to gods like Asklepios in an attempt to be healed. In the Middle Ages people wanted to touch or be near relics of dead saints thinking that God's blessing would accompany the touch. But notice what Jesus says to the woman,
"Daughter, your faith has made you well."
Jesus made it very clear that it was not the garment or any other “holy relic” that caused the woman to be healed. It was her faith in Christ that made her well. She believed who Jesus was and what he could do.
Where did the power that healed the woman come from? The Bible says in verse 30:
30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?"
Jesus perceived that power had gone out from himself. What kind of man has power in himself to heal people?
Jesus asked, "Who touched my clothes?"
What a question! There was a crowd, everyone was pushing and shoving. Jesus was touched on every side. Besides why did it matter? A touch is a touch, right? Wrong. This touch was different, it was done with faith. As a result the woman was healed. There is a very important lesson here for us.
A lot of people touched Jesus, but very few bene tted from it. In a similar way, many people believe that Jesus is the Messiah but receive no benefit from simply believing. They believe Jesus is the Messiah just like they believe Turkey is surrounded by water on three sides. It is an opinion that happens to be true. But there is no healing power in that kind of belief.
What was it about the woman's faith that made the difference? Jesus said her faith made her whole. Faith in what? There were others in the crowd who believed he had power to do miracles. And yet, they were not healed. The faith that Jesus is talking about is deeper than simply acknowledging he can work a miracle. Could it be that the woman's belief was not only about Jesus' ability to heal, but also the message he was proclaiming about eternal life and salvation?
One thing we can point out is that her faith was not the result of her healing. The woman did not say within herself,
"If he heals me then I will believe that he is the Messiah of God, the savior of the world."
No. Her healing was the result of her faith! She believed and was healed. There were many people waiting to see a miracle before they would believe. Unfortunately they missed out on the faith that could change their lives. Is it any different in our day?
We looked at three stories in the beginning of our lesson and asked if they were miracles of God or just chance. Because we believe that God is good and that He is involved in our lives, it isn’t hard to imagine that God would do such things to save lives and to guide the course of history. However, in the end, we can only surmise what is divine providence and what is chance. What about the miracles that Jesus did? Is there any question that this event could have happened by coincidence? Is it possible that this woman's disease just happened to disappear the moment she touched Jesus' garment?
If it was an isolated event, we could perhaps answer yes. But after reading what happened next, there should be little doubt that the miracle was the result of supernatural power.
Do you remember what happened right before the woman approached Jesus and was healed? A man came to Jesus and asked him to heal his daughter. Let's nd out what happened to her by reading Mark chapter 5 verse 35:
35 While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?"
What a crushing blow that must have been to Jairus! If this other woman had not delayed Jesus' coming, his daughter might have lived. Why did Jesus delay? It just didn't seem fair that one person should be healed and another die, especially a child. It was too late; surely Jesus couldn’t help her now. Or could he? Let's see what happened next in Mark chapter 5 verses 36-43:
36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe." 37 And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38 Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. 39 When He came in, He said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping." 40 And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. 41 Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." 42 Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. 43 But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.
Jesus holds the keys of life and death in his hands. He has authority to raise someone from the dead by simply speaking the words! It reminds us of the authority that God, as well as Jesus, has over nature. When God created the world, He spoke and things started happening: land came from water, the seas were lled with sh, and animals started roaming the earth. Likewise, when Jesus speaks nature is subdued and death is undone. In other words, the creative power of God was at work in Christ Jesus.
Both of these miracles changed someone’s fate. The only conclusion we can come to is that miracles alter fate. The fate of the woman was sickness, constant bleeding, and perhaps an early death. The fate of the girl was that she would remain dead. But Jesus, by working miracles, shows that he has power to change fate. The fate of all people is hardship, humility, and ultimately death. But Jesus was able to break that power by performing miracles for those who believed in him.
In 2002, the New York Times reported that Prof. Dr. Arnold M. Ludwig of the University of Kentucky, USA, placed Ataturk first in his list of world leaders who changed the fate of their countries and the world. Ludwig said the criteria included:
"Forming a country, broadening territories, period of remaining in power, military achievement, social and economic success, statesmanship, being an example morally, political heritage, and population of the country".
In a similar way, what kind of list would we make to compare the prophets of God? We might talk about the amount of people who turned to God through their work. We might consider the words that they wrote or spoke. It would also make sense to evaluate their miracles. But regardless of the criteria, only one person could be at the top of the list, Jesus Christ. He stands supreme. No one else has sinless authority to forgive sins.55 No one else was given authority in heaven and earth.56 No one else raised the dead by simply speaking.57 No one else will be the judge of the last day.58 Jesus alone did all these.
We asked, "What is a miracle?"
We know that God can order circumstances to do His will. We also saw in this lesson that Jesus has the power to change the fate of people through his authority over sickness and death. Can we expect miracles from God and if so, what are the conditions for a miracle to happen? In this lesson we saw that we can expect miracles. We also learned that Jesus worked miracles for people who had enough faith in him to come and ask for help. In other words, the miracle was the result of faith in Jesus Christ. Miracles can certainly awaken faith in people who have none or are spiritually weak. But those that received power from Jesus were the ones who believed in him. Why were the miracles performed? Jesus wanted to spread his blessings and teach deep, spiritual lessons about faith. He showed us that the faith required to experience a change in fate is deeper than simply believing that Jesus can do the miracle.
It is important to remember that all miracles do not come from God. In the last days, Satan will be working to deceive the whole world by using great signs and wonders. But there will be one difference; they will not exhibit the things we saw in this lesson. Miracles are God's way of blessing our faith in Him and the Messiah that He sent. Miracles are object lessons of faith. Lastly, miracles show us that Jesus is the changer of fate, even the fate of death.
Discussion Questions
1. The bleeding woman trembled at the thought of being exposed as the one who touched Jesus. Why do you think she was afraid? In the end, was there anything to fear from Jesus?
2. Many people saw that Jesus could work miracles. They knew he had the power to do so. Yet they received no healing. What was the difference in the woman's faith that caused her to be healed?
3. What do you think was going through the mind of Jairus when he saw his daughter resurrected? Do you think he had faith in Jesus
before the miracle? What do you think his faith was like after the miracle?
4. Do you need to see a miracle before you will believe that Jesus is the one who holds the keys of life and death? Based on your
answer, what does that say about your faith?
53 No one else "spoke as he spoke."
54 No one else had the
53 2 Corinthians 5 54 John 7
55 Mark 2
56 Matthew 28
57 1 Chronicles 17; 2 Chronicles 4:32-35; Acts 9:36-43 58 John 5
Should we expect miracles from God? If so, what are the conditions of a miracle? What role does faith play in miracles? What is the purpose of a miracle? In this lesson we will answer these questions. To help us prepare, let’s consider the following events and determine if they were miracles.
On June 29, 2011 at 2pm, a 34 year old man named Ersin stopped his car on the Boğaziçi Bridge, got out, and threw himself off the structure. He fell 64 meters to the water and lived. Other than a few broken bones, he was physically okay. The newspapers all called it a miracle. Actually Ersin was the 21st person to survive the fall. Was their survival luck or was it the direct intervention of God?
Ten year old Figen was swimming in the Marmara Sea near Gallipoli. Her father was in the military and they had gone for an outing. Figen wanted to swim to a distant point but couldn't make it. She went under the water and when she was pulled to the shore
she was not breathing. A doctor had just been transferred to the base. The doctor's family was also swimming at the beach that day. They were going to leave the beach earlier but were delayed. At that time (mid 1970's) he was one of only two doctors in Turkey that knew CPR. He revived Figen and she lived. When Figen wanted to personally thank him, she found that he had already been transferred somewhere else. His departure was as mysterious as his arrival. Was the appearance of a uniquely qualified doctor, at the right time and place, just a coincidence or was it the providence of God?
At Çanakkale, Mustafa Kemal Paşa and his forces were in the midst of a battle surrounded by enemies. While observing the ranks he felt something strike his chest. He looked down and saw a bullet hole on the right side of his coat. An officer named Nuri Conker Bey was standing at his side and immediately said,
"Sir, you have been struck!"
Mustafa Kemal Paşa, thinking that the event might have a negative effect on the troops, put his finger on the officer's lips and said to him,
"Be quiet. Don't say anything."
A piece of shrapnel had hit Mustafa Kemal Paşa in the chest and destroyed his pocket watch but left him unscathed. Was it coincidence or was it the direct intervention of God? How can we really know?
Let's turn to the Bible and read two stories about miracles. Perhaps they will give us better insight as to the nature and purpose of miracles. The stories can be found in Mark chapter 5 verses 22-34:
22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, 23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. 24 So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him. 25 Now a certain woman had a ow of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 28 For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." 29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the af iction. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?" 31 But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?' " 32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."
Perhaps you have been to a hospital and seen a waiting room full of people who have spent the night there. The pillows and blankets tucked into the corners of chairs are proof that they are trying to make themselves comfortable as they constantly attend to the needs of a loved one undergoing long-term care. They have spent nights with only a few hours sleep, without shower or change of clothes, waiting for news that their loved-one is getting better. Sometimes this goes on for years. They have sold their last cow, their money is all gone, and yet they cling to a hope that life will get better.
In the biblical account, the woman who touched Jesus had received medical care for twelve years. Her money was spent and she only had one hope left, Jesus Christ. She had heard of his healing power and believed that he could heal her too. She said to herself,
"If I can only touch his garment, I will be healed."
Guess what. She was healed! Healed at last! Imagine her joy. How could she ever explain or show her appreciation to Jesus? She was free of the sickness that had ailed her for 12 years.
Many people who read the story may think that there was special power in Jesus’ clothes. After all he is a holy person. Throughout history people have visited shrines, temples, and “holy” places with pools of water hoping that the water would heal them.
Archaeologists have found clay figures shaped like feet, hands, eyes, and other body parts, which people offered to gods like Asklepios in an attempt to be healed. In the Middle Ages people wanted to touch or be near relics of dead saints thinking that God's blessing would accompany the touch. But notice what Jesus says to the woman,
"Daughter, your faith has made you well."
Jesus made it very clear that it was not the garment or any other “holy relic” that caused the woman to be healed. It was her faith in Christ that made her well. She believed who Jesus was and what he could do.
Where did the power that healed the woman come from? The Bible says in verse 30:
30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?"
Jesus perceived that power had gone out from himself. What kind of man has power in himself to heal people?
Jesus asked, "Who touched my clothes?"
What a question! There was a crowd, everyone was pushing and shoving. Jesus was touched on every side. Besides why did it matter? A touch is a touch, right? Wrong. This touch was different, it was done with faith. As a result the woman was healed. There is a very important lesson here for us.
A lot of people touched Jesus, but very few bene tted from it. In a similar way, many people believe that Jesus is the Messiah but receive no benefit from simply believing. They believe Jesus is the Messiah just like they believe Turkey is surrounded by water on three sides. It is an opinion that happens to be true. But there is no healing power in that kind of belief.
What was it about the woman's faith that made the difference? Jesus said her faith made her whole. Faith in what? There were others in the crowd who believed he had power to do miracles. And yet, they were not healed. The faith that Jesus is talking about is deeper than simply acknowledging he can work a miracle. Could it be that the woman's belief was not only about Jesus' ability to heal, but also the message he was proclaiming about eternal life and salvation?
One thing we can point out is that her faith was not the result of her healing. The woman did not say within herself,
"If he heals me then I will believe that he is the Messiah of God, the savior of the world."
No. Her healing was the result of her faith! She believed and was healed. There were many people waiting to see a miracle before they would believe. Unfortunately they missed out on the faith that could change their lives. Is it any different in our day?
We looked at three stories in the beginning of our lesson and asked if they were miracles of God or just chance. Because we believe that God is good and that He is involved in our lives, it isn’t hard to imagine that God would do such things to save lives and to guide the course of history. However, in the end, we can only surmise what is divine providence and what is chance. What about the miracles that Jesus did? Is there any question that this event could have happened by coincidence? Is it possible that this woman's disease just happened to disappear the moment she touched Jesus' garment?
If it was an isolated event, we could perhaps answer yes. But after reading what happened next, there should be little doubt that the miracle was the result of supernatural power.
Do you remember what happened right before the woman approached Jesus and was healed? A man came to Jesus and asked him to heal his daughter. Let's nd out what happened to her by reading Mark chapter 5 verse 35:
35 While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?"
What a crushing blow that must have been to Jairus! If this other woman had not delayed Jesus' coming, his daughter might have lived. Why did Jesus delay? It just didn't seem fair that one person should be healed and another die, especially a child. It was too late; surely Jesus couldn’t help her now. Or could he? Let's see what happened next in Mark chapter 5 verses 36-43:
36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe." 37 And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38 Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. 39 When He came in, He said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping." 40 And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. 41 Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." 42 Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. 43 But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.
Jesus holds the keys of life and death in his hands. He has authority to raise someone from the dead by simply speaking the words! It reminds us of the authority that God, as well as Jesus, has over nature. When God created the world, He spoke and things started happening: land came from water, the seas were lled with sh, and animals started roaming the earth. Likewise, when Jesus speaks nature is subdued and death is undone. In other words, the creative power of God was at work in Christ Jesus.
Both of these miracles changed someone’s fate. The only conclusion we can come to is that miracles alter fate. The fate of the woman was sickness, constant bleeding, and perhaps an early death. The fate of the girl was that she would remain dead. But Jesus, by working miracles, shows that he has power to change fate. The fate of all people is hardship, humility, and ultimately death. But Jesus was able to break that power by performing miracles for those who believed in him.
In 2002, the New York Times reported that Prof. Dr. Arnold M. Ludwig of the University of Kentucky, USA, placed Ataturk first in his list of world leaders who changed the fate of their countries and the world. Ludwig said the criteria included:
"Forming a country, broadening territories, period of remaining in power, military achievement, social and economic success, statesmanship, being an example morally, political heritage, and population of the country".
In a similar way, what kind of list would we make to compare the prophets of God? We might talk about the amount of people who turned to God through their work. We might consider the words that they wrote or spoke. It would also make sense to evaluate their miracles. But regardless of the criteria, only one person could be at the top of the list, Jesus Christ. He stands supreme. No one else has sinless authority to forgive sins.55 No one else was given authority in heaven and earth.56 No one else raised the dead by simply speaking.57 No one else will be the judge of the last day.58 Jesus alone did all these.
We asked, "What is a miracle?"
We know that God can order circumstances to do His will. We also saw in this lesson that Jesus has the power to change the fate of people through his authority over sickness and death. Can we expect miracles from God and if so, what are the conditions for a miracle to happen? In this lesson we saw that we can expect miracles. We also learned that Jesus worked miracles for people who had enough faith in him to come and ask for help. In other words, the miracle was the result of faith in Jesus Christ. Miracles can certainly awaken faith in people who have none or are spiritually weak. But those that received power from Jesus were the ones who believed in him. Why were the miracles performed? Jesus wanted to spread his blessings and teach deep, spiritual lessons about faith. He showed us that the faith required to experience a change in fate is deeper than simply believing that Jesus can do the miracle.
It is important to remember that all miracles do not come from God. In the last days, Satan will be working to deceive the whole world by using great signs and wonders. But there will be one difference; they will not exhibit the things we saw in this lesson. Miracles are God's way of blessing our faith in Him and the Messiah that He sent. Miracles are object lessons of faith. Lastly, miracles show us that Jesus is the changer of fate, even the fate of death.
Discussion Questions
1. The bleeding woman trembled at the thought of being exposed as the one who touched Jesus. Why do you think she was afraid? In the end, was there anything to fear from Jesus?
2. Many people saw that Jesus could work miracles. They knew he had the power to do so. Yet they received no healing. What was the difference in the woman's faith that caused her to be healed?
3. What do you think was going through the mind of Jairus when he saw his daughter resurrected? Do you think he had faith in Jesus
before the miracle? What do you think his faith was like after the miracle?
4. Do you need to see a miracle before you will believe that Jesus is the one who holds the keys of life and death? Based on your
answer, what does that say about your faith?
53 No one else "spoke as he spoke."
54 No one else had the
53 2 Corinthians 5 54 John 7
55 Mark 2
56 Matthew 28
57 1 Chronicles 17; 2 Chronicles 4:32-35; Acts 9:36-43 58 John 5