The Supernatural Jesus
“Christ is not the answer to your city, I am not the answer to your city. The answer to your city is Christ in you and Christ through you.” ― Chris Gore, Walking in Supernatural Healing Power
Jesus was the most humble, meek, gentle, and accessible person, yet He did mighty, powerful, supernatural things! He made the supernatural look natural. Very few people achieve this balance: we’re often either too spiritual to be of any earthly good or too earthly to have any spiritual standing.
Peter Kreeft warns that the biggest threat to the church isn’t atheism, agnosticism, or religious fanaticism—it’s spiritualism. People forge their own paths of spirituality without God at the center.
As followers of Christ, we rightly focus on the character, ethics, and moral path Jesus exemplified, but I would confess the most difficult part of His life is His spiritual attributes. He perfectly blended the supernatural heavenly world with the natural world.
As a pastor, by His grace, you learn over the years to, almost by habit, be polite, gentle, kind, sympathetic, enduring, faithful, lacking the power of God! Jesus spoke this condemnation to the Sadducees: “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.” (Matthew 22:29)
This chapter deals with regaining, and pursuing the POWER of God!
As we have already discussed in previous chapters: JESUS was both fully human and completely God. To say that Jesus’ whole life was the result of supernatural intervention is an understatement!
- His birth by a virgin. (Luke 1:34, 35; Isa. 7:13-16; Matt. 1:22-23)
- His miracles and powerful deeds. (Matt. 11:20; 13:54; Mark 6:2)
- His resurrection. (Matt. 16:21; 17: 9, 23; Matt. 20:19; 26:32; Mark 14:28; Luke. 9:22; 14:14; John 2:19-22; 5:21; 6:39-40; 11:1-44; 14:20; 21:14).
The POWER of the JESUS LIFE is in DOING HIS LIFE:
According to the Synoptic Gospel, there are 83,680 direct words of Jesus recorded, of which 31,426 are original with no repetitions made. One speaks an average of 125 – 150 words per minute. At 130 words per-minute, Jesus’ Words can be read in just under 4 hours. Even though these documented words seem few they are complete and perfect enough to cleanse, restore and nourish the human soul whilst changing the world throughout time.
As He is the source of truth, His Words are absolute, credible and believable. They are the foundation by which we “live, move and and have our being” (Acts 17:28). His thoughts, ways and purpose provisioned us the privilege of His abiding presence, not only as mere knowledge, but such as supernaturally illuminated by His ever-present Holy Spirit. Surrender and belief of these words brings about a “transcendence” – the ability to live naturally by supernatural means as demonstrated by His life. This provides a life quality as originally intended by God: thriving in His love, growing in His wisdom, guided by His Holy Spirit in His truth and grace (to name a few) for His eternal glory!
Thousands of books and commentaries have thus been written on Jesus’ words. But it does not profit you if you do not partner with the Holy Spirit to begin to live His words, for the power of those words lie in their demonstration.
“Naturally Supernatural” or Not?
What would the church look like today if we never limited God and subsequently lost the supernatural demonstration of His power? Suppose someone who has never been to church or read the Bible comes to repentance. If his first bible study is of the Book of Acts, would he recognise the modern church lining up with the original one?
Suppose he is sent to today’s churches – would these churches be able to demonstrate the same message to him today? Would the person experience stepping into the pages of Scripture while in our midst?
If you want to live more like Jesus, you cannot ignore His supernatural ministry. Jesus performed 37 miracles, but most were not written down. Remember the bible often says he healed all, all who were in attendance!
We rather prefer the more popular parts of Jesus’ life, which we can relate to and manage on our own! We avoid the “impossible” as a preference and convenience! It is precisely these uncomfortably inexplainable parts of His life that have caused the most controversy over the centuries.
Some falsify the supernatural and misuse it, like the money changers (Matt. 21:12), who attract people to increase their profit. The perversion, falsification and out-of-context of the supernatural are why some churches and believers would rather avoid pursuing it. Jesus was most severe in condemning the FALSE religious leaders of His time, calling them “snakes” and “vipers” (Matt. 3:7; Matt. 12:34; Matt. 23:33). He also rebuked His disciples’ unbelief. (Matt. 6:30; Matt. 8:26; Matt. 14:31; Matt. 16:8; Luke 19:17)
“The secret is, there is no formula, no mathematical progression, no tradition that can reproduce the supernatural all the time. We have to get it by faith from the spiritual realm according to the plan and purposes of God the Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ, communicated to us through the blessed Holy Spirit”. – Dr. André Pelser (www.pelsermedia.com)
God’s Provision: The Supernatural
It is the enemy’s age-old strategy to turn us away from God’s heart and provision. We recognize our desires, hunger, and needs, but instead of acknowledging His fullness (John 1:16), we seek satisfaction and fulfilment in other ways and places.
Satan skilfully perverts God’s divine provisions, distorting their intended purpose and leading us astray. For example, he corrupts the beautiful gift of sexual intimacy within marriage, turning it into lust and promiscuity. Similarly, righteous leadership, designed to guide and uplift, is twisted into totalitarianism and oppression. Good administration meant to ensure order and productivity, becomes an unhealthy obsession with perfectionism. As a result of these perversions, we abandon these divine provisions, becoming disillusioned and seeking fulfilment in ungodly ways. This abandonment leads to spiritual malnutrition as we turn away from God’s original design and seek sustenance in places that can never truly satisfy.
Jesus Christ stands as the perfect example of seamlessly blending the spiritual and natural aspects of life in a balanced and healthy way. He was deeply attuned to spiritual matters, spending time in prayer and communion with God and performing miracles that demonstrated His divine authority. Yet, He was also profoundly grounded in the everyday realities of human existence.
Jesus engaged with people from all walks of life, sharing meals, attending weddings, and showing compassion to the marginalized and downtrodden. His teachings were often conveyed through relatable parables drawn from nature and daily life, making profound spiritual truths accessible to all. This harmonious integration allowed Him to navigate both realms with authenticity and authority, providing a model for living a life that honours God while fully engaging with the world around us. Through His life, Jesus demonstrated that true spirituality enhances our earthly existence, bringing purpose, compassion, and integrity to our daily interactions.
The great evangelist and revivalist of our time, Reinhard Bonnke wrote:
“We are all immersed in a vast sea of unseen forces. Can you see radio waves? Or, for example, the magnetic fields by which the stars keep their ancient places? All around us, even going through our very bodies, are powerful emissions which we can detect only by instruments. Some radiation could destroy us before we ever felt it. Human perceptions are very limited. Even your cat can hear what you cannot. A snake can sight its prey in pitch darkness.
The first words Jesus said to His disciples were “Come and see!” (John 1:39). He came to make us see and see in the dark. The great theme in John’s Gospel is “inner sight”, seeing more than meets the eye. Spiritual reality belongs to a different order. Physical eyes can’t discern the spiritual. John mentions that some witnessed Christ’s miracles and made nothing of them. The visible displays invisible – “the heaven’s declare the glory of God”, but not to those without faith.
Another thing is that at present the world lies in wickedness and spiritual darkness. The unseen is doubly unseen! Faith in God is like a lamp, which is of no use in daylight. The only chance faith will ever get is now, in a world of darkness, sin and trouble. It can’t operate in heaven where the Lamb is the light. “Now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face, (but) now remains faith” (1 Cor. 13:12,13).
God bless you.”
Jesus’ Life Was Proven Supernatural
Healing, miracles and deliverance from evil were always part of His ministry!
“And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.” (Matt. 4:23-25; Luke 6:17-19)
“At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him. Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.”
“When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.“ (Luke 4:40-41)
“… how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38)
“Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matt. 9:35-38)
“So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.” (Luke 9:6)
“But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.” (Luke 11:20).
Supernatural Believers
His disciples are commanded to do the same as He did:
“And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matt. 10:7-8)
The Message Must ALWAYS be Accompanied by Spiritual Demonstrations of His Power!
“And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (1 Cor. 2:4-5)
People place their faith in methods, recipes, techniques, people, religion and self-righteousness rather than placing their hope completely and only in Christ! He seeks our hearts, not our religious games! Some preachers use quotes from celebrities and clever stories with PowerPoint presentations, but it has no power and ability to free people trapped in sin! Your preaching must be accompanied by a proven demonstration and activation of faith in people’s hearts.
“And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (1 Cor. 2:4-5)
“For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.” (1 Cor. 4:20)
Information does not change people’s behaviour. It most often requires a radical intervention of loss, illness, and confrontation with Truth. May the Holy Spirit reveal Jesus in our midst and lead us to the Father. Both the preaching of the Word and the demonstration of the Spirit are essential. The one cannot be done without the other. The Word provides the basic material, and the Spirit provides life. Like a good friend, Clint Dixon explained recently: 1Cor 3:6-9…. God’s word is both seed and water. Sometimes we sow, sometimes we water, and sometimes we reap. Constant fruitfulness is discerning which action to apply.
The Word without the Spirit is dead (2 Cor. 3: 6)
But the Spirit, without the Word, leads to disorder and self-centeredness (1 Cor. 14).
“For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient— in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.” (Rom. 15:18-19)
“For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.” (1 Thess. 1:5)
“How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?” (Heb. 2:3-4)
“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.”” (Rev. 12:10)
The proclamation of the gospel of salvation inspires faith for people to be saved. In the same way, we evoke testimonies of healing, faith in people for their own healing and deliverance.
The Lord Works With Us
“And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.” (Mark 16:20)
“Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
“And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.“ (Acts 4:29-31)
“God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?.” (Heb. 2:4)
The Power of Jesus Is Demonstrated in Five Ways:
- The power of His word:
“They were astonished at his teaching, for he spoke with authority.” (Matt. 7:28, 29; Matt. 7:28; 13:54; 19:25; 22:33; Mark 1:22; 6: 2; 7:37; 10:26; 11:18; Luke 2:48; 4:32; 9:43)
“Reports”; “Many reports”; “Extreme reports” (OAV). Depression is without exception the reaction. The Greek word ‘eksplessomai’ means: “I am stunned / stunned” (Souter). “Amazed, overwhelmed (lit. knocked out of your mind)”. (Arndt and Gingrich)
- The power of His promise.
The transforming power of Jesus to make us new people. Jesus turns water into wine – what takes years to age and take on quality, the Lord does in a second when we obey Him. (John 2)
- The power of His touch.
“Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will. Get well!” And his leprosy was immediately gone.” (Matt. 8: 3)
“And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for the power went forth from him, and he healed them all.” (Luke 6:19)
“Jesus Himself immediately knew that power was coming from Him. He turned around and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” (Mark 5:30)
- The power of His forgiveness.
Jesus forgives the woman caught in the act of adultery. (John 8: 10,11)
“When Jesus saw the faith of the people lowering the paralyzed man through the roof tiles, He said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” (Luke 5:20)
The woman who led a sinful life broke the expensive alabaster jar of oil on His feet (Luke 7: 36-50). Jesus says, “Your sins are forgiven!” (v. 48)
- The power of His provision.
Multiplying the five loaves and two fishes, He feeds 5,000 men and 12 baskets remain. (Mark 6: 35-44) With seven loaves He feeds 4,000 people and there are seven baskets left. (Mark 8: 1-10) Jesus pays His and Peter’s temple tax through a coin found in the mouth of a fish. (Matt. 17: 26-27)
What Unlocks The Supernatural Working Of The Spirit?
“And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.” (Matt. 14:14)
Notice that the miracle of healing was a by-product of compassion. This is the Greek word splagchnizomai, which means to be “moved in one’s bowels” or “seat of love”. Compassion is the divine ability to empathize with the pain and suffering of others. Jesus always walked in compassion.[1]
“And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.” (Matt. 14:14)
Faith:
“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues.” (Mark 16:17)
Proximity:
Closeness, prayer, obedience, togetherness, unity.
“Abide in me” (John 15)
All kinds of miracles happened through the actions of the apostles because there was unity. (Acts 1:14; 2: 1; 46; 4:24, 32; 5:12; 8: 6; 15:25)
“And the power of the Lord was [present]with Him to heal them.” (Luke 5:17)
Jesus Heals In Different Ways:
It is important to note that Jesus does not follow one magical rite to heal the sick. In chapter 28, we see that Jesus still brings healing to the whole person in different ways today. Every human being is, therefore, seen as an individual. He, therefore, also does not follow healing rites, methods, and schemes. He heals as He touches every person with His love.
— JTBL —
[1] Bridges, K. (2014). Power of unlimited faith. [Place of publication not identified]: Destiny Image Pub.