God’s Miracle Workers

Jesus’ introductory address was about people in need (Lk 4:18, 19); His final assessment will be in reference to people in need (Mt 25:31-46). When He sent the disciples out to proclaim His kingdom, in every instance they were to address people in need.

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)

The proclamation of the kingdom always carried with it a demonstration of it power. Ultimately, it was the manifestation of the power of God to effect change in the lives of people in need. Every miracle that Jesus and His disciples performed made a difference in the lives of people in need by improving the quality of their lives. Blind people saw, deaf people heard, lame people walked, dead people lived, demonized people were liberated, hungry people ate to the full, bent over people straightened up, sick people were healed, leprous people were cleansed.

In the case of miracles on behalf of children, it is noteworthy that no child ever requested or participated in the miracle performed on them. Rather, every miracle performed on children was a result of an adult interceding on their behalf. Again, dead children were brought to life, demonized children were liberated, diseased children were healed, condemned children were released. All because of a caring adult who interceded for the children in need.

The clear majority of references to children in the Bible are about children in need (see chart below).

God’s solution to the plight of children in need are caring adults interceding, intervening, and interacting on their behalf in ways that result in improving the quality of their lives.

James calls this “pure and undefiled religion.” The only stated indicator of such religion is in reference to children in need.

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, (James 1:27)

The word “visit” is the same word that Jesus uses in His final judgment.

I was sick and you visited Me. (Matthew 25:36)

It means “to take care of.” This also applies to children who are academically in need. They need an educational “miracle” that results in an improved quality of life for them. They need a caring adult to intercede, intervene, and interact with them academically in ways that take care of them.

Also, in the case of children, miracles can be both tangible and intangible. The miracles that Jesus performed on children were notable in their manifestations, except one:

Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them. (Mark 10:13-16)

In this one instance, children were brought to Christ by caring adults who recognized that the greatest miracle that could be bestowed on them was the Lord’s touch. Jesus not only touched them, He also blessed them. He probably bestowed on them the priestly blessing of Numbers 6:22-27:

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:

“The LORD bless you and keep you;

The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you;

The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”’

The same applies to God’s people upon whom He has bestowed the priesthood.

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (1 Peter 2:9)

And His instruction to His priests is the same as the instructions to Aaron’s priesthood:

This is the way you shall bless the children…

As such, God’s educators are uniquely endowed to bestow the miracle of His blessing upon the children entrusted to their care. They are uniquely equipped to be His arms to hold children and His hands to touch children in need. God’s educators are His true miracle workers.

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