miracles

A miracle is a divine activity in an event in a clearer way than usual. It is a sign which refers to the God who is always near and directing things. To see an event as a sign of salvation requires a salvation consciousness. To speak of a miracle is to emphasize the revelatory character of an event and the divine power manifested in the event. Our emphasis is not on the wondrous element as such but more on the theological and symbolic character. In Jesus, as an example, we see His earthly ministry in the light of His resurrection.

Everything that happens is either an act of God or a deed of man, or both. The world is not a physical structure - it is a power structure. When we observe a miracle we should not ask 'what was the cause?', we should ask 'who is responsible?' We should think in terms of the personal rather than the mechanical (cause and effect). Our explanation is not in terms of cause but rather purpose or meaning.

Jesus gave a radically new meaning to the 'language' of miracles: they are signs of the kingdom, signs of what God wants to do and is already doing for humankind in Jesus. They 'signify' that the powers of the kingdom, the powers of God's love are at work: 'the time is fulfilled' (Mk 1.15). The miracles of Jesus are also part of his message of salvation. Jesus' miracles are an integral part of his ministry of announcing and establishing the kingdom. It this interrelationship between the miracles of Jesus and his message of the kingdom of God is disregarded, neither the miracles not the message of the kingdom will be understood correctly. The connection between healings and the kingdom of God is particularly clear: 'heal the sick in it and say to them, "The kingdom of God has come near you"' (Lk 10.9). The miracles do not stand by themselves. Detached from the message of the kingdom, they would be like missiles launched without a target. - Herman Hendrickx

Miracles are as much an integral part of His message as His words. Healing meant that God's plan for the redress of humankind was being activated!

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