Do You Believe In Miracles?

Kathryn Kuhlman was a “faith healer” (she hated that title as the Youtube clip shows), a Presbyterian who lived in Pittsburgh during the middle part of the last century.  She was loved by some and distrusted by others.  She had a habit of showing up on stage in a slinky black dress with see-through sleeves and acting in dramatic ways.  But the fact is people were healed during her services.  Really.  I know one quite well.  The sad fact is that not all got healed and no one, especially Kathryn, knew why.  She never pretended to be the healer, only a conduit.  She lived in a fine home surrounded by a security fence and additional security, knowing that she was continually a possible target of one who didn’t get healed

In a way, all of our Scripture readings today deal with things that lead to health—be it personal or national.  Look for this theme as you read our four lessons.

Our “second” guest blogger today is Rev. Mike Mullin. A retired pastor, he and his wife Elaine split their time living in Cincinnati, Ohio and the Colorado mountains. Thanks Mike for pitching in today! He contributed to the February 1 post.

TODAY’S READING

Numbers 33:40-35:34
Luke 5:12-28
Psalm 65:1-13
Proverbs 11:23

INSIGHTS AND EXPLANATIONS

Numbers 33:40-56. Were you struck by the precise detail of the camping places?  In his book, Why I Believe the late D. James Kennedy notes that archaeology has not once uncovered contradiction of the biblical record.  Just a thought.

The command in verses 51-56 seems harsh, but is it?  The Canaanites could note how God has preserved Israel and turn to him.  They haven’t.  God knows how easily we can be corrupted and Israel has demonstrated their tenuous trust.  This command demonstrates God’s sovereignty over all mankind, and his judgment of those who fail to receive him.

Luke 5:12-16. We have noted before that leprosy could be a variety of skin conditions.  Here Luke, the physician, uses a medical term describing the extent of this man’s ailment.

In verse 14, Jesus sent the healed leper to the priest. Going to the priest accomplished several things.  It fulfilled the law and verified that the man was healed so he could be released by the priest into society.  It was also testimony to the ministry of Jesus.

Luke 5:17-28. The famous hole-in-the-roof story.  Pharisees are present.  Their name means “separated ones.”  Many scholars believe Jesus leaned toward the Pharisees and his battles with them were like family squabbles.  But the Pharisees just didn’t get it.  Here Jesus takes the opportunity to speak directly to the legalism of the Pharisees, and to demonstrate that he is God among them.

Read verse 26 carefully. If the Pharisees didn’t believe Jesus was God at least they were filled with awe!

Psalm 65. The NIV Study Bible notes describe this psalm as:

A hymn of praise of God’s great goodness to his people.  In answer to their prayers (1) he pardons their sins so that they continue to enjoy the “good things” of fellowship with him at his temple (3-4); (2) he orders the affairs of the world so that international turbulence is put to rest and Israel is secure in her land (vv 5-8); and (3) he turns the promised land in at veritable Garden of Eden (vv 9-13).

Is this a kind of healing?

Proverbs 11:23. Advice on how to stay healthy?

This proverb predates Paul’s advice to the Philippian Church but he may have gotten the wisdom here: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” (Phil. 4:8)

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THE WORD MADE FRESH

I have always been fascinated by miracles.  I thought it would be great fun to be able to heal the sick.  Graciously, once in a while, God does permit me to know the unrevealed truth or to be present for a healing but he has brought me much further.

Reading about Israel questioning every step in the wilderness and often failing to see how God was teaching and guiding and protecting them is like looking in a mirror.  I’m that way, too!  Ouch!  Jesus performed miracles because he demonstrated great love for those considered sinful since they were afflicted.  And he performed miracles to demonstrate that he, Jesus, a man from Nazareth whose mother is Mary, is Emmanuel, God with us.

The Apostles’ Creed, apparently an early baptismal confession, never mentions the teachings or miracles of Jesus.  We are to see HIM.  The Pharisees were in awe, but still they didn’t see God who can as easily tell a crippled man to walk as he can forgive his sin.

None of us are called to be Jesus.  We are called to be like him, however.  He spent long hours alone to pray.  So should we.  He was God’s man on earth, come in flesh and blood.  Have you ever considered how difficult it would be if you were God in flesh to reveal your true identity?  In mental hospitals I have met Jesus and even God himself!  See where indiscriminate claims to greatness got them.   Jesus was very wise in his self-revelation.  He often used miracles to reveal himself.

At every miracle there were some who got it.  Most of the influential never got it.

CONVERSATION STARTERS

1. Did today’s reading expand your faith?
2. Have you ever been a conduit for God’s power?
3. What is the greatest healing one can experience?
4. Is thinking good thoughts part of your spiritual discipline?

If you’re reading this blog on FaceBook and you’d like to join the conversation, click here.

www.bibleconversation.com

Michael co-pastors The Neighborhood Church in Littleton, Colorado.

Well Now I’ve Done It!

While preparing for my “holiday” (thanks Eugene, for pointing out the difference between holiday and vacation), I inadvertently assigned the same Scripture passages to two different people. I guess I can blame it on an early onset of “brain sprain” or perhaps Jeff McQuilkin’s “snarky” comments from yesterday.

So here’s what I’m going to do: release the posts at different times. I’ll release Jeff’s guest post first, and then later, I’ll release the second post, written by Rev. Mike Mullin.

I think you’ll find both posts worth reading.

*******************

OUR FAIR SHARE

For most of us, the word “no” was the first word we understood as kids.  It seemed like our parents used the word all the time.  As adults, we chuckle now at kids who are learning “no”, crying when they don’t get their way.  We chuckle because we’ve all been there.  I can remember not understanding why I couldn’t just have everything I wanted.  Can you? ;>)

I always get a kick out of Lucy van Pelt from the Peanuts cartoons, especially her materialism. She rants, “I only want what’s coming to me. I only want my fair share!”  Again, we laugh, because we see a little bit of ourselves in Lucy.  We all want our “fair share,” some of us even more. We just don’t say it as bluntly as Lucy does.

Some parenting techniques try to avoid the word “no” with kids, and certainly “no” can be overused.  But we shouldn’t—er—throw the baby out with the bathwater (pun intended). All the word “no” does is set a boundary, delineating what is ours, and what is not.  Boundaries describe our portion, our “fair share.” Boundaries are hugely important in this life, and people who don’t have them don’t get by very well.  Much of today’s reading has to do with boundaries.

As I mentioned above, Jeff McQuilkin is one of our two guest bloggers for today. He contributed to yesterday’s post. You can read his blog Losing My Religion by by clicking here.

TODAY’S READING

Numbers 33:40-35:34
Luke 5:12-28
Psalm 65:1-13
Proverbs 11:23

INSIGHTS AND EXPLANATIONS

Numbers 33:40-35:34. God goes into detail with Moses about the boundary lines of the Promised Land, the portion of land he is giving to Israel.  He instructs his people on how to apportion the land to the tribes, claim the land, give the tribe of Levi their portion (as the tribe given care of the Tabernacle, they were not apportioned a specific plot of land), cities of refuge, and so on.

Luke 5:12-28. Jesus performs more healings, including healing a leper, and the paralytic whose friends lowered him through an opening in the roof.

Psalm 65. This is a psalm of praise for the power and provision of God.

THE WORD MADE FRESH

In yesterday’s reading in Numbers, some of the tribes of Israel asked for (and received) land beyond the Jordan which was suitable for large numbers of livestock, and I asked whether they had ultimately cheated themselves by settling for less than God’s portion for them. Today’s reading speaks to me about the other side—recognizing the boundaries, and knowing what is our portion, and what is not.  Just as we can “sell ourselves short” by settling for less than God’s best for us—we can also over-reach and try to claim things God has not given to us, and this is not something God blesses.

The blessing of God lies within our appointed boundaries, not outside of them. I think this is why passages like this appear in the Scripture, although they might seem a bit tedious to read.  It was important for Israel to know exactly what was theirs, and how to properly steward what they were given.

Likewise, God lays out boundaries for us—not just with material possessions or land, but with more intangible things, like moral boundaries. We don’t like those boundaries sometimes, because none of us really likes the word “no.”  But boundaries aren’t designed to imprison us or hem us in; they delineate our portion, because that is where our blessing is. When we sin, we cross a boundary and take what hasn’t been given to us.  If we believe God is for us, we will trust that his blessing will be within what He apportions to us in this life—whatever that looks like.

One of my favorite verses of Scripture doesn’t appear in today’s reading, but definitely applies: “The boundary lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” (Psalm 16:6)  Today’s reading (along with yesterday’s) remind me not to settle for less than what God has given me, but also not to extend beyond what he has given me.  His portion for us is a delightful inheritance, and we do not need more.

CONVERSATION STARTERS

1. What did today’s reading speak to your heart personally?
2. In what ways do you think you tend to reach beyond what God has given you? In what ways do you cross boundaries?
3. Why do you suppose we dislike boundaries? What do you think creates that dissatisfaction we feel when we are told “no?”
4. In what way could these Scriptures shape your journey from this day forward?

If you’re reading this blog on FaceBook and you’d like to join the conversation, click here.

www.bibleconversation.com

Michael co-pastors The Neighborhood Church in Littleton, Colorado.