YouTube: The Anatomy of a Miracle
When you think of a miracle, do you envision an extraordinary occurrence that is some form of divine intervention transcending the laws of nature? Isn’t this one of the first things that comes to mind when we think of Jesus as a miracle worker?
In my ministerial training, we learned of a system known as the five M’s of a developing religious movement. As it applies to Christianity, these five M’s include the Man Jesus, the Message he brought, the nature of his Ministry, the Movement that developed after his death, and the Monument, those many forms of Catholic and Protestant Christianity we know today. The image of Jesus the miracle worker is the product, not of meticulous biographical research, but of the Movement that followed his death.
It is quite possible that many of the miracle stories we read had their beginning, not as an event, but as a parable. We know that Jesus taught truth using fiction, with the parable of the prodigal son being a prime example. Through four decades of the fluid process of oral tradition, parables of Jesus could easily transform into stories about Jesus.
Many of the miracle stories include a common formula. A need is stated. Jesus challenges people to stop judging by appearances. Those stifled by the apparent problem agree to at least try to change their mind. Jesus speaks a command or orders some action, and the answer is forthcoming.
It appears that the catalyst for change involves a change of mind, a redirection of faith. As we think of our own experience, can we accept the challenge of refusing to judge a situation by its appearance? Can we change the focus of our faith? Can we, like the father of the epileptic boy, believe that with God all things are possible?
Like a river, the creative life force flows in but one direction: from the inside out. Jesus told people to cleanse the inside of the cup first. That is, focus your faith, envision the highest, most successful outcome. Hold this direction knowing that you are cooperating, not with some miracle-working cosmic force, but with the natural flow of God. As within, so without. Don’t expect a miracle. Expect the best and highest outcome for yourself and all involved. Your solution may look like a miracle, but it is the natural outworking of this cosmic river flowing from the inside out.
J Douglas Bottorff 