Miracles are Not Fairytales
Was Jesus an Evangelist or a Super Cool Humanitarian?
Miracles never ended with Jesus giving the leper a job, or restoring the adulterer’s social status, or soliciting the UNHCR to extradite the Samaritan from persecution. Contrary to first-world imagination, there is no evidence of a “Happily Ever After” in New Testament narratives. In fact, more often than not, Jesus seems to be embarrassingly unconcerned with the resulting circumstances of those he restored. Healed, yes – liberty from the fallout? Not so fast.
Many Muslim women around the world experience unimaginable and undeniable atrocities. While we are commanded to meet the tangible needs of the oppressed or neglected as an expression of God’s love through His Church, I wonder if we have forgotten how our Master healed the sick or provided food for the hungry with primary attention to the condition of their broken hearts? Not just physical healing…utter and complete restoration from guilt, shame and trauma.
This day in age it can be very easy to respond to crimes against humanity with the attitude of a savior instead of the Savior. Certainly few of us claim to be capable of New Testament miracles. But we tend to be properly concerned with feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and justice for the oppressed. Is it possible, however, that Jesus’ example makes an additional request? Could the Lord imply that knowing the Truth of who He is empowers women to identify and even endure evil?
Is it true that victimized women must be rescued from injustice before they can be wholly restored?
Read these scriptures and consider for yourself:
Luke 8:43 “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace” (woman with the issue of blood)
Mark 2:5,11 “when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven”. “He said to the paralytic, I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home”.
Mark 1:40-42 “A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees “If you are willing, you can make me clean”. Filled with compassion Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean.”
Matthew 20:29-34 “Lord, Son of David”...Jesus had compassion on them
Matthew 15:28 “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that very hour.
John 8:11 “go now and leave your life of sin”
John 5: 14 “see you are well again. Stop sinning…”