THY 1-Salva Vida

The Kingdom of God in the Works of Jesus

1. The MIRACLES
- A miracle is a sign of Gods presence, love and compassion.
- Jesus the miracle worker
- What is the relationship between these miracles and his Kingdom message?
John the Baptist sent 2 of his disciples to Jesus to ask him whether not he was the Messiah.
Jesus reply was
Go and tell John what you have and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers
are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised (Luke 7:22)
- The Kingdom proclaimed by Jesus is characterized by justice
-Justice did not simply mean fair relations among persons.
-It also meant a personal condition that was in accordance with Gods will
-Jesus brought Gods Kingdom on earth by healing all the disease and disability.
-Diseases and disabilities are injustices to man. God (who is all good) DOES NOT desire disease
and disability. Through the miracles of Jesus, he showed that the kingdom of God is a Kingdom
of JUSTICE. Therefore, when these conditions are eliminated, Gods will is fulfilled, justice is
attained, the Kingdom has come.

JESUS MIRACLES
-The synoptics used the term dynamis (Greek for power) in referring to Jesus miracles
- John used the word semeion (Greek for sign / mark)
Twofold significance of the miracles of Jesus:
1. They show Gods power
-an essential characteristics of his Kingship since a powerless king cannot rule
-breaking in of God into time and space
-God asserts his kingship over all
2. Miracles were intended to be signs
- it was intended to show what it would be like when Gods Kingdom is fully established: there
would be no more hunger, no more thirst, no more disease, no more death.
The miracles were signs for only those who had faith in Jesus.
Then a woman, who had just suffered from a severe bleeding for twelve years, came up from
behind and touched the edge of his cloak; for she thought, If only I touched his cloak, I will be
healed. Jesus turned, saw her and said, Courage my daughter, your faith has saved you. And
from that moment the woman was cured. (Mt. 9:20- 22)
-It was their faith that enabled them to see the miracle
Believers Miracle [ the miracles of Jesus were signs only for those who had FAITH in Jesus]
Non-believers
Magic Show [ for non-belivers, the miracles of Jesus were just mere magic show ]
The unbelief of the people rendered them unable to see the miracles that took place
before their very eyes.
-Jesus did not perform many miracles in his hometown because the people there had no faith.
And he could work no miracles there, but only healed a few sick people, by laying his hands on
them. Jesus himself was astounded at their unbelief (Mark 6: 5-6)
-The miracles were not mere proofs of Jesus divinity. The miracles were manifestations of Gods
presence in history.
-But just as the miracles revealed the KINGDOM, they also revealed to us who Jesus is- that
he was indeed sent from God and that he was a compassionate person who used his power
alleviating the suffering of his people.

THE MIRACLE NARRATIVES

1. Healing Miracles
- narratives of people whose ailments were cured by Jesus.
- these narratives show how God, in his mercy, restored to wholeness those that
showed faith in his power to heal.
- Examples: The Leper (Lk. 5:12-19), Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind (John 9:1-12)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHBo7ka3YZQ
2. Exorcisms
-narratives that tell of Jesus expulsion of demons
-these stories show that the power of God is greater than all evil that can inflict humanity
-Examples: Possessed Mute (Mt. 9:32-34) , Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Man In
Synagogue (Luke 4:33-37) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbfrS45U-Xs
3. Resuscitations
-narratives of people that Jesus brought back to life
-These narratives prefigure Christs own resurrection, and manifest his power over death
- Examples: Raising of Lazarus ( John 11:39-45) , Raising of Jairus daughter (Mark
5:35-43) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGJ0TKRTEFI
4. Nature Miracles
-narratives that show Jesus power to suspend the laws of nature, thus showing Jesus
lordship over the universe
-Examples: Multiplication of loaves (Luke 9:12-17), Jesus walking on water (Mark 6:4552) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2noonMEnSFg
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------WEDDING, WINE, AND THE KINGDOM

The Wedding at Cana (Jn. 12:1-11)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaWI4-n0z_0
-First sign performed by Jesus
-Changing of water into wine during a wedding feast at Cana
- Jesus revealed Gods glory that he is the messiah and his disciples believed him. The revelation
of glory is an assertion of power. A powerless king cannot rule. By his show of power in Cana,
he did not intend to show off what he could do.
- Rather, Jesus made a statement that the Kingdom of God is near (to those who desire it) for the
power of God is beginning to manifest itself through this miracle.
-Jesus likened the Kingdom of God to a wedding feast.
-For the Kingdom of God to fully come, humanity must learn to be submissive to Gods will.
In turn, God shall give abundant blessing to humanity.
- Wine is a symbol of abundance. Abundance of wine is a messianic benefit- when the messiah
comes, the people could feast for their enemies shall be conquered.
-The wine miracle at Cana, Jesus manifested himself as messiah sent by God to establish the
Kingdom.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. Table- Fellowship
-Jesus likened the Kingdom of God to a banquet
-Food-was a symbol of goodwill
-Jewish culture- an offer of food meant an offer of friendship
-The Kingdom is a gift. It imposes no ethical demand. God invites ALL (the righteous and the
sinners) to his banquet (Kingdom)

Transfiguration by
Raphael

Pinacoteca Vaticana,
Vatican City

THE TRANSFIGURATION: THE FORETASTE OF THE KINGDOM

-

The story of the Christ is the story of the Kingdom

death and resurrection
There shall be suffering before this Kingdom becomes fully established
All these sufferings would purify the members of the Kingdom like the water with
which John baptized
Suffering is not the end of the story
Christs transfiguration points to a glorious destiny for the members of the
Kingdom.
When the disciples saw the glorified Christ, they saw the future that God destined for
them. [the disciples had a glimpse of heaven]

SUMMARY:
1. The kingdom of God is characterized by justice.
2. The miracles revealed the kingdom.
3. Jesus likened the Kingdom of God to a wedding feast.
4. Jesus likened the Kingdom of God to a banquet.
5. The kingdom of God is a gift. Everyone is invited.
6. The kingdom of God is a kingdom of service.
7. The story of Jesus is the story of the Kingdom.

Sources: The Bible, Youtube videos, Jesus and the Kingdom of God
(http://www.slideshare.net/pcuadra/jesus-and-the-kingdom-of-god)
Salva Vida