Jesus' Surprises: Faith In The Unexpected

The Bible is full of surprises, and Jesus is often depicted as doing the unexpected. In The Jesus Perspective: A Faith that May Surprise You, Robert Harris critically examines Christianity to determine which elements are essential and align with Jesus's teachings. Harris suggests that the Christian faith is best seen as a process of active participation rather than mere acknowledgement. This shift in perspective highlights action, responsibility, and continual growth, challenging us to follow in Jesus's footsteps.

Jesus often surprises with his responses, as seen in Mark 7:24-37, where he gives a harsh reply to a woman's request to heal her daughter. Jesus wanted to encourage the woman to persist in her faith, even in the face of adversity. This story reminds us that God may not always answer our prayers as we expect, but he has a plan and purpose for each of us.

Another example is the story of Mary and Joseph, where the angel Gabriel tells Mary she will conceive by the Holy Spirit, choosing her to be Jesus's mother. Surprises in the Bible teach us that God is sovereign and in control, but he can also do the unexpected in our lives.

Jesus's popularity reached new heights when he healed a deaf man with a speech impediment, as he performed this miracle for a Gentile, someone considered a sinner by many at the time. Jesus's ministry extended beyond the Jews, and he was willing to cross racial, religious, and social boundaries to reach those in need.

Through these stories and more, we learn that Jesus often does the unexpected, challenging our assumptions and encouraging us to have faith in God's plan, even when surprises arise.

Jesus' miracles

Jesus is said to have performed many miracles, though these are not all recorded in the Bible. The miracles attributed to Jesus include faith healing, exorcisms, resurrections, and control over nature.

Healings

Jesus is said to have healed many people, including:

• A nobleman's son
• Peter's mother-in-law
• A leper
• A centurion's servant
• A widow's son
• Two blind men
• A man who was unable to speak
• An invalid at Bethesda
• A man with a withered hand
• A deaf and mute man
• A Gentile woman's demon-possessed daughter
• A blind man at Bethsaida
• A man born blind
• A woman who had been crippled for 18 years
• A man with dropsy
• Ten lepers
• Lazarus
• Bartimaeus
• A servant's severed ear

Control over nature

Jesus is also said to have performed miracles that demonstrated control over nature, including:

• Turning water into wine
• The miraculous catch of fish
• Walking on water
• Calming a storm
• Finding a coin in a fish's mouth
• Cursing a fig tree

Jesus' rude reply to a woman

While some may perceive Jesus' reply to his mother Mary in John 2:4 as rude, it is important to consider the cultural and linguistic context. In the original language of the text, the term "woman" was used as a formal address, similar to how we use "ma'am" today. By addressing Mary as "woman," Jesus was not being disrespectful but rather asserting his independence from her wishes.

However, Jesus' response to Mary is not the only instance where his interaction with a woman has been perceived as rude. In Matthew 15:21-28 and Mark 7:24-30, Jesus is approached by a Canaanite woman seeking help for her daughter, who was oppressed by a demon. Jesus initially ignores her, and when his disciples ask him to send her away, he replies, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24). This statement highlights Jesus' exclusive mission to the Jews, which may come across as dismissive and rude to the Canaanite woman.

Jesus' response to the Canaanite woman has been interpreted in various ways. Some suggest that he was testing her faith, while others argue that he was overwhelmed by the scale of his task and did not want to accommodate the importunities of a Gentile woman. It is important to note that Jesus' reply to the woman, "It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs" (Matthew 15:26), uses a strong term for "dogs", indicating his exclusivism towards Gentiles.

In conclusion, while Jesus' reply to Mary in John 2:4 may have seemed abrupt or rude to some, it was not considered impolite in the cultural and linguistic context. However, his interaction with the Canaanite woman in Matthew and Mark's Gospels has been perceived as rude due to his initial dismissal and strong statements about his exclusive mission to the Jews. These instances highlight the complexities of interpreting Jesus' responses to women in the Bible, considering the cultural, historical, and linguistic nuances involved.

Jesus' healing of a deaf man

Jesus healing a deaf man is one of the many miracles performed by Jesus Christ, as described in the Bible. This miracle is recorded in the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 7, verses 31-37.

Jesus had just returned from the region of Tyre and was passing through Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. During this journey, some people brought to him a man who was deaf and had difficulty speaking. They begged Jesus to heal him and place his hand upon him.

Jesus took the man away from the crowd to a private place. There, he put his fingers into the man's ears and touched the man's tongue after spitting. Looking up to heaven, Jesus sighed deeply and said, "Ephphatha," which means "Be opened."

Immediately, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was loosened, and he could speak plainly. The people who had brought the man to Jesus were amazed and said, "He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."

Jesus asked them not to tell anyone about the miracle, but the more he requested this, the more zealously they proclaimed it.

Jesus' ministry to the Jews

Jesus had a deep conviction about his special mission to the Jewish nation, whom he considered God's "treasured possession" (Exodus 19:5). This conviction was so strong that some believed he had no vision beyond Israel. However, a careful examination of his words and actions reveals a strategic approach. As the apostle Paul later articulated, Jesus' mission was "to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16; 2:10, KJV).

Jesus' concern for Israel was evident in his instructions to the twelve disciples during their first preaching mission. He directed them to focus on "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 10:5-6, NASB), indicating a priority for ministering to the Jews. This focus on the Jews is further supported by the apostle Paul's statement in Acts 2:26, where he writes that God "sent Him [Jesus] to you [the Jews] first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness" (ESV, author's clarification in parentheses).

Jesus' ministry was primarily, but not exclusively, restricted to the Jews (Matthew 8:1-13). Even within this context, he predicted that the disciples' preaching ministry would extend to the Gentiles: "You shall even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles" (Matthew 10:18, NASB 1977).

Jesus' strategy for reaching the Gentiles was twofold. Firstly, he utilised the Old Testament Scriptures to prove his messiahship (Luke 24:27). The apostles also expounded on these scriptures to demonstrate that Jesus was the promised Messiah (Acts 28:23). By using the Jewish Scriptures as their text, they created common ground with Jews who believed in the Hebrew Scriptures as the inspired Word of God.

Secondly, Jesus fulfilled Messianic prophecies, providing objective proof of his messiahship and the supernatural nature of Scripture. There are over 300 Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament that reveal the Messiah's identity, including details such as their birthplace, lifespan, manner of death, and rejection by their own people.

While Jesus' ministry to the Jews was a priority, he also recognised the importance of reaching out to the Gentiles. He understood that God's grace was not limited to one nation or people group (Genesis 12). Israel was meant to be "a light for the nations" (Isaiah 49:6, ESV), and the Messiah was destined to bring salvation to all nations (John 3:16).

Jesus' public ministry included several notable interactions with Gentiles. He healed a Gadarene (Gentile) demoniac (Matthew 8:28-34) and praised the faith of a Canaanite (Gentile) woman, healing her daughter (Matthew 15:28). Additionally, he engaged in a profound dialogue with a Samaritan woman, declaring that God would be worshipped "in spirit and in truth" all over the world, not just in Jerusalem or Mount Gerizim (John 4:5-42).

In summary, Jesus' ministry to the Jews was twofold, combining direct engagement with the Jewish people and a strategic approach to reaching out to the Gentiles through the fulfilment of Messianic prophecies and the utilisation of Old Testament Scriptures.

Jesus' relationship with God

Throughout the Bible, Jesus consistently imitates, reflects, and submits to God's will. He emphasises that his power and authority are derived from God and that he is dependent on God for guidance and support. For example, in John 5:19, Jesus says, "I can do nothing on my own accord", and in John 14:28, he states, "the Father is greater than I". Jesus' prayers also provide insight into their relationship, as he addresses God as "My Father" and expresses his trust and faith in God's plan.

Additionally, Jesus' relationship with God is characterised by a shared purpose and harmony. Jesus works alongside God, particularly in the business of giving life and bringing the dead to life. He also honours and seeks to glorify God, as seen in his statements, "I have glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do" (John 17:4) and "Father, glorify Your name" (John 12:28).

In conclusion, Jesus' relationship with God is multifaceted and complex. While there are elements of hierarchy and submission, their relationship is ultimately founded on love, trust, harmony, and a shared purpose. Jesus imitates and depends on God, while also working alongside Him to fulfil His plan.

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