Miracles happen when you are in need, not in abundance

In the Gospel of Mark, an account is given of how Jesus went to Capernaum after being away for several days and word got around that he was in the Temple.

Many people came in, others sat at the door and outside, and he preached the word to them. Four men brought to him a paralytic man and when they could not come near him because of the crowd; they tore the roof where Jesus was and lowered him down.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

But some of the scribes seated there were wondering why Jesus was making blasphemous comments since only God can forgive sins.

When Jesus perceived in his spirit what they had reasoned, he said to them, “Why do you reason about these things? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, your sins are forgiven or arise, take your bed and walk?”

To let them know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins, he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed and go to your house.” Immediately he rose, took up the bed, and went out in their presence. People were amazed and glorified God because they had not seen anything like that before.

The Gospels were written so that we may witness what Jesus Christ was and is capable of doing. It is not enough for us to know that Jesus healed this man; rather it is the lesson that we learn that is important. We learn that miracles happen when you are in need and not when you are in abundance or plenty. When you lose a job or you are sick or a relationship has broken, you become vulnerable.

You need people around you who can help, feed, carry your weight, encourage and support you. If the people that surround you are always feeding or drawing from you; it will drain you, dry you up, wither you off, and then you will die. To fulfil your destiny and reach new dimensions in life, you will need a support system - people who can carry you!

When Jesus showed up in a place, people would spread out the word that he was there. Many would come with great expectations of being healed or delivered like the paralytic. The woman with the issue of blood for 12 years heard about Jesus, she came behind him in the crowd and touched his garment and she was made whole. When blind Bartimaeus heard Jesus was passing by, he began to cry out, “Jesus Son of David, have mercy on me!”

The man suffered from palsy, so the last place he would want to be in is a crowd. But he was willing to go through the inconveniences because Jesus was in the house and he expected healing. The four men carrying him faced opposition because the place was packed to capacity.

You will always face the greatest opposition when you are close to your miracle. You have to pass the test of discouragement. The test came to the men when they were tired and about to give up. Many of us want a quiet nice miracle but maybe it will not come this way. You may need to tear off the roof!

Jesus saw their faith and acted upon it. You have been talking like a believer but it is about time that you start acting like one. Do not just do nothing about your situation. Refuse to get so close to your miracle and then miss it because of discouragement.

Faith has five dimensions. First is the redemption we receive when we get saved by grace. When Jesus told the man that his sins are forgiven; the people murmured but his faith was so great that despite their murmur he received his healing.

The second is to speak to the condition to change it. You cannot be saved but remain broke, sick, broken, or depressed. Jesus told the man to arise and walk. “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” (3rd John 1:2)

The third is to take hold of whatever condition that has been keeping you away from your miracle. You could be saved and raised but still remain in the bed of problems. The fourth is to walk in your miracle. God has already blessed you and therefore you must live, walk and move in the miracle. “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours.” (Deuteronomy 11:24). Fifth is to take it to your house so that all may know that the Son of Man has the power to save, forgive sins and heal.

Bishop David Muriithi
Founder & Overseer
House of Grace International Ministries