The general healing miracles (Jesus healing the sick) can also teach Christians a lot, which we can use today. ‘The Cleansing of a Leper (Luke 5:12-14)’ teaches Christians that when God works in our life, we shouldn’t view it selfishly for our own good, but instead we should consider how we can use these to testify God. ‘Healing the infirm, Bent Woman (Luke 13:10-17)’ is able to teach Christians that such people as the hypocrites have a contentious attitude towards the afflicted, therefore we should treat others equally no matter what time or day it is. ‘Healing a paralytic (Luke 5:18-25)’ sends a message to Christians, telling us not to neglect the need for the forgiveness of our sins, as physical healing only deals with the symptoms but not the root problem. It also reminds Christians to forgive others as well as to ask for forgiveness themselves.
The miracles about ‘casting out demons’ also teach Christians a few things. ‘Jesus Heals a Man with Demons (Luke 8:26-39)’ tells Christians that if they turn to Jesus, He will bring them back to their right state of mind. Most ‘unbelievers’ are often infants, irrational and unreasonable when it comes to spiritual matters even though they may be wise in the ways of the world. One becomes only in a right state of mind after being clothed with Christ and sitting with him (After having faith in Christ, and allowing Him to be involved in our everyday actions). By reading ‘A Man with an evil spirit (Luke 4:33-37)’ Christians learn that it is Jesus who rules hell, not Satan. Therefore it’s not a good advertisement to have demons as your spokesmen (talk nastily to people). Instead, Christians need to speak nicely and positively to others.
‘Jairus’ Daughter (Luke 8:40-42, 49-56)’ is a resurrection story which explains to Christians that they should think of others who have passed away as being just simply asleep, not dead. The grief they suffer from is that the presence of their loved one has gone for a time, but this only lasts for a while whilst their loved one waits to be resurrected. ‘Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son (Luke 7:11-17)’ is another resurrection story which reminds Christians that they should look out for others, and help those who are needy and need someone to look after them. For example, Christians can do charity work to raise money for those who are in need. Volunteering is a great way in helping others, as it shows Christians are doing things out of their free will instead of just helping others for the money.
People preparing to do Sponsored Walk to help others in need
Two volunteers who work in an emergency shelter, London to provide meals for those who need them.
Churches today also learn from these miracles, to not be prejudiced. They do this by inviting everybody to church services and making people feel welcome who may never have visited the church before, or don’t often go to church. In churches, everyone is treated the same, there are no ‘grudges’ against people who have done wrong. Everyone is treated as ‘brothers or sisters’ to each other.
If Jesus really did perform miracles, they tell Christians that He is the Messiah, the Son of God, and the fulfilment of the Old Testament Promises. They also show that Jesus brings salvation to the world, and that He announces the Kingdom of God. He also stresses the importance of how Christians should preach and learn about God, and not to be influenced by the attack of the devil.
Some Christians believe that present day miracles occur only at holy sites. There are many different pilgrimages to these holy sites, connected with the miraculous healings. One of the most famous of these sites is Lourdes. Lourdes is a village on the Gave de Pau river in the foothills of the Pyrenees in Southern France. Here, it is believed that in 1858, Bernadette Soubirous (a fourteen-year-old peasant girl) had a series of eighteen visions of the Virgin Mary who appeared in a niche in the grotto of Massabielle near Lourdes.
Grotto of Massabielle
These apparitions are said to have occurred from February 11th 1858. On February 25th, during her ninth apparition, Bernadette claimed that she had been directed by the Virgin Mary, to a spring, which had never existed in the Grotto before. Hundreds of onlookers witnessed the discovery made by Bernadette, and it was eventually declared miraculous. Studies have shown that the water is pure and doesn’t contain any therapeutic ingredients.
The Miraculous Spring in the Grotto at Lourdes
But however, the water is claimed to be capable of healing the sick and lame. Some claim to be miraculously healed out of the many thousands who visit Lourdes each year.
Many Christian Churches today have ‘healing services’. ‘The Cardiff Christian Healing Ministry’ is a ministry where such services take place. The people of this church believe that Jesus is waiting for you to come before him, whatever your need is. They do not guarantee miracles but they do pray for them to happen. They also believe that coming before our Lord Jesus is the first step of healing, despite what problem you may have. Here, they encourage people to join them at their services because Jesus never turns anyone away. They also remind others that the most used phrase in the Bible is ‘Do not be afraid’.
Someone being ‘healed’.
‘Southern Cross Ministries’ in Australia is another ministry with such services. Every Thursday a special service is offered to assist people into recovery from cancer and other serious illnesses. ‘Unity North Church in America,’ is another church that has these ‘healing services’. They believe that they are following the example of our elder brother – Jesus, because the Gospels say He sent His followers out to spread his teachings and heal the sick.
All churches do these healing services differently to one another, but they all believe in one thing – that it is the Power of the Spirit which helps healing today, and that such healing services can only be conducted because of what Christians can learn and believe from Jesus’ miracles. If no one believed in Jesus’ miracles, such services would not occur today.
