The Relation between Faith and Miracles
Throughout the gospels of the New Testament, particularly in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), there are several narratives that seem to make a direct link between faith and the accomplishment of miracles in the lives of individuals or groups. In one example (Matthew 13:58), Jesus either chose not to perform miracles in his hometown of Nazareth, or was hindered to do so due to a lack of faith by his audience who took offense at his message. Reflecting on the role of faith in miracles or significant divinely orchestrated accomplishments in one’s life, I asked myself the following question: Are there any “miracles” or significant acts of God I may have missed out on in my life due to a lack of faith?
Forgiveness and Healing of a Paralyzed Man
In Mark 5, we learn of a paralyzed man whose four friends made an opening in the roof of the house where Jesus was speaking in order that Jesus would heal him. Verse 5: When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Jesus eventually heals the man (11: “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”)
Healing A Sick Woman
Later (Mark 5), while Jesus was on his way to raise Jairus’ daughter who had died, we are told that a large crowd was following him. A woman in the crowd who had been sick for 12 years came up behind him and touched his cloak, because she thought to herself - “If I just touch his clothes I will be healed.” (v. 28) “Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was free from her suffering” (v. 29). She reveals herself to Jesus and he responds to her: “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering” (v. 34).
Healing of a Demon-Possessed Boy
In Matthew 17: 14-20 we read of the story of the demon-possessed boy, whose father brought his son first to the disciples for help; however, Jesus’ disciples were unable to heal the boy. The father eventually brings his son to Jesus and Jesus heals him by casting out the demon. When the disciples asked Jesus why they could not cast out the demon/heal the boy, Jesus replied: “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have the faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (v. 20).
Common Thread: Faith Displayed in Action
The common thread in all three stories are the actions taken by individuals who believed that Jesus could heal them. In the case of the paralyzed man and his four friends, they opened up a space in the roof of a house just so that their paralyzed friend could be seen and healed by Jesus. In the case of the woman who had been sick for 12 years - she believed that if she could just touch Jesus’ cloak, she would be healed - so she did, and was healed. In the case of the demon-possessed boy, his father, in faith, believing that Jesus could heal his son, brought him to Jesus and he was also healed. This notion of faith in action can be traced back to the Old Testament in the case of Abraham - the father of faith, who believed God and his faith was counted as righteousness (Genesis 15:6). James (Chapter 2) makes a strong case of the importance of faith made evident by action. May we live out our faith in Christ through our actions for God’s glory, reflecting the image of Christ to others, and experience the joy and peace that comes from pursuing his Kingdom purposes in our lives.
Denny Barnett