Miracles: Why Jesus Did Them!

Could the absence of miracles be the reason our cities don't experience the Third Great Awakening we need? There has never been a time more critical than now to win the lost in the United States! The ruling by the Supreme Court that same-sex marriage is a "right" included by the framers of the Constitution has proven a watershed moment in history. Perhaps a generation of lukewarm Christians and snoozing preachers are jolted awake into just what is at stake in this country.

But what is the most effective way to take the Gospel to this nation? What will it take to bring a nation to repentance?

Some would say we need evangelistic campaigns--renting auditoriums, sending out street-preaching teams,

doing door-to-door witnessing, distributing bibles, having more Christian radio and TV, etc. All of those are indeed ways of getting the Gospel out. And clearly the Word of God must be proclaimed in the hearing of all, for how will they know unless someone is sent to them? But all of these things are already underway now (and have been for a very long time!) and still have not had enough impact to reverse the growing encroachment of evil upon our land.

So, "what would Jesus do?" Well, He tells us explicitly what must take place! Jesus reveals a different strategy that we should be VERY attentive to--yet one that tens of thousands of Christians say is not even possible. Let me quote Francis Frangipane:

He said, "For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes." (Matt 11:21) Tyre and Sidon were Gentile cities known for their debauchery and sin. Yet Jesus said that His life, revealed in power, can bring even the vilest cities to "sackcloth and ashes." The strategies, therefore, to win our cities is for the Church to reveal Christ's live in power....

One may say, "But that was then. Our cities are worse." They are beyond redemption. Not so. Jesus continued his rebuke of cities, saying, "If the miracles occurred in Sodom which occurred in you, it would have remained to this day." (Matt 11:23) Amazingly, when Christ is manifested in power, Jesus said even Sodom could find repentance.

--from "When the Many Are One"

Notice that Jesus links repentant cities to their witnessing the working of miracles. Notice also what Jesus did NOT say. He did not say "if Tyre and Sidon and come to our meetings in Galilee..." He also did not say "if you had gone two by two to proclaim the kingdom in Tyre and Sidon..." No. Jesus makes it clear that cities need to see the miraculous on their own turf for their hearts to comprehend that the message of the Gospel is true.

In fact, Jesus' command to His followers was quite clear. As they were to go about preaching, He told them:

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

--Matthew 10:8

So for every one of us--every believer, every pastor, every prayer warrior, every evangelist, all who are believing for God to do amazing things in our nation--go out and do miracles.

Let the healings begin!