The Miracle Worker

Luke 23:8 -Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. NKJV

In 1962, a movie was released called “The Miracle Worker”. This movie was based on Helen Keller’s life, a child who became both blind and deaf after a bout with a high fever in her infancy. When she became a young child, her parents were encouraged to institutionalize her, but they decided to try a tutor from a school for the blind as a last resort. As you know, if you have heard the story or seen the movie, Anne Sullivan, dubbed “the miracle worker” became Helen’s teacher and lifelong friend, after being able to reach through the deadness of her mind, teaching her to communicate through ASL and Braille. A life that was spiraling out of control became a great testament to the power of love and having the right teacher.

Isaiah 9:6- “For unto us a child was born”…, and He became the greatest teacher of all, the true miracle worker. In less than four years of earthly ministry, He did so many miracles that John said there were not enough books to contain it all. But in God’s word, we get a real insight into who this great miracle worker was and is, and we are left knowing that with a powerful love and an amazing ability to teach, He changed the course of mankind forever!

Herod was so excited to finally see Jesus. He had heard about Him from others, but now he would see Him for himself. The scripture tells us that Herod wanted to see Jesus because he was hoping to see Jesus perform a miracle: maybe He would open some blind eyes, or open some ears, or create a new limb, it didn’t matter, he just wanted to see something happen. But Jesus did not perform a miracle for Herod that day, leaving Herod disappointed, somewhat disillusioned, and even angry!

People have not changed today. They still want to see the Miracle Worker. They still want to see a performance or be awed, or even entertained by some great feat, some wondrous occurrence. Some chase around the world, others run from church to church, still others, chase behind an individual to glimpse the miracle worker, and when He won’t perform for them, they too walk away disillusioned, disappointed and even angry.

But can I tell you what Herod missed, that others are still missing today? Jesus was and is the Miracle! To have an opportunity to see Him, to hear of Him, to discover that you are loved of Him is a miracle. Herod didn’t realize that the One who came to save him from an eternity spent in hell was before him and he was looking for entertainment. He didn’t understand that knowing Him was far better than seeing Him do any kind of feat, and he was about to miss his moment of visitation. But that’s exactly what happened, he missed out on a relationship with the Living God because he was looking for the wrong thing, a performance!

Even in the church world, we are looking for a performance. We think that if we can do this, then God will do that! If we can get there, then God will perform that. We believers, and even those in the world, are still looking for the Miracle Worker to perform for us, when He is still waiting for us to just want Him!

I am one who believe in miracles. I look forward to hearing about the miracles people have received and those done through God’s people. I love the environment in a service when God moves on someone’s behalf and grant them a miracle. And I just love watching Him do Him and be Him. But a long time ago I met the Miracle Worker. He was more awesome than Anne Sullivan and still is. She pales in comparison! Jesus, the real miracle worker, reached through the deadness of my soul and, although I was blind, He didn’t teach me to operate in my blindness, but He gave me sight to see that I was in need of a savior, Him! I was deaf, and He didn’t teach me to hear with my senses, but He taught me to hear with my spirit what He has to say to me through His word! He took my life of chaos and dysfunction and turned it into a life of productivity filled with love, hope, and opportunities! And through the power of love and great teaching He has transformed my life and the lives of so many others. Isn’t that miraculous?!

At this critical time, when our world needs untold miracles to get us to the other side of this pandemic, I want to say that we serve the Miracle Worker! It’s not enough to come to Him for a divine intervention in this pandemic, although He should be your first point of contact; but you must come to Him because He is the only One who can bring you hope in the midst of so much turmoil! He doesn’t want to be known by you as one who seeks Him only for what He can do for you, for what He can show you, for what He can perform for you, no more than He was interested in performing for Herod. But He can and will do miracles, great things, amazing things for those who are seeking to know Him, the only true Miracle Worker, for who He is!

At this time of great panic and deep concerns for the well being of our world, seek the Miracle Worker! He can save you! He can heal you! He can set you free! And the greatest news of all is, He will! If you can believe! You may already be disappointed, disillusioned, and even angry over this pandemic, but I encourage you to turn you heart to Jesus, the only real Miracle Worker and watch Him move on your behalf and in your situation changing your heart and mind as He has done for so many others! Wonderful Jesus!