Miracles of Yeshua
by Rabbi Eric Carlson
Romans 1:16 states that the “Good News” or “Yeshua” is Salvation to those who believe. Salvation is deliverance from evil and redemption from Sin! Salvation through Yeshua delivers a person from curses, transgression or sins, and all sicknesses. Salvation has three distinct aspects rendering it more powerful than just sins forgiven! When we tear down the walls of separation (The One New Man of Ephesians 2:15) and become “one”, Paul reveals to us what salvation is!
“God’s way seems foolish to the Jews because they want a sign from heaven to prove it is true. And it is foolish to the Greeks because they believe only what agrees with their own wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended, and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the mighty power of God and the wonderful wisdom of God. This “foolish” plan of God is far wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is far stronger than the greatest of human strength.” I Corinthians 1:22-26
The One New Man Revival that is occurring is restoring the truth and wisdom of the Word (what the Gentiles seek) and the miraculous (which is what the Jews seek) as both are reconciled as one.
The scriptures warn and speak of false or counterfeit miracles that the Anti-Messiah will perform in the latter days.
“Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will consume with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. This evil man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles.” 2 Thessalonians 2:8-9
Yeshua gave proof of His identity to the Israelites when He walked the earth 2,000 years ago. He accomplished every prophecy that Israel was seeking through specific miracles, proving that He is the Messiah of Israel. Merely performing miracles 2,000 years ago was not enough to prove He was the Messiah. Supernatural events and healings were somewhat common place in the 2nd Temple period. The Talmud records many miracle workers in 1st & 2nd Century Israel such as Hanina ben Dosa and Rabbi Simon ben Yochai both healers and Honi the circle drawer who called forth rain Mishnah Taanit 3:8 (a).
The historian Flavius Josephus records a Jew named Elazar who performed exorcisms numerous times in the presence of Vespasian and Roman military commanders (Jewish Antiquities 8, 2, 5, 45-48). What is the difference between these Rabbi’s miracles and Yeshua’s miracles? What is the difference between Yeshua’s miracles and the Anti-Messiah’s miracles? The miracles Yeshua performed had previously never occurred in Israel or the world. The miracles Yeshua performed proved that He was the Son of God. The rabbinicaly trained Pharisees and Scribes in Israel 2,000 years ago knew what 4 miracles to look for as signs regarding the arrival of the Messiah.
The first was the healing of the leper. There was no recorded event of an Israelite having been healed of leprosy since the giving of the Torah. (Moshe healed his sister which happened before the giving of the Torah). The Rabbis 2,000 years ago knew that only the true Messiah could heal actual leprosy. One of the rabbinical titles of Messiah in the Babylonian Talmud is “the Leprous one”: “The Rabbis say, the leprous one; those of the house of Rabbi say, the sick one, as it is said, “Surely he hath borne our sicknesses.” (Sanhedrin 98b)”. This Talmudic quote reveals the Rabbinical teaching that Yeshua, Jesus would fulfill Isaiah 53:4. Then to confirm His divine source of healing Yeshua heals ten lepers at the same time in Luke 17:12-14.
Yeshua’s next Messianic miracle was to cast out a demon that caused a man to become both blind and mute “Then a demon-possessed man, who was both blind and unable to talk, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see” Matthew 12:22. This man’s muteness nullified Jewish exorcism. Traditional Talmudic exorcism required the Rabbi to ask the demon its name then command it out of the person. Yeshua employed this traditional method” “’What is your name?’ Jesus asked. ‘Legion,’ he replied for the man was filled with many demons.” Luke 8:30. Since the possessed man in Matthew 12:22 was mute no one could ask the demon’s name so the man remained afflicted. When Yeshua removed the demon He revealed His true heavenly authority and that He was the Messiah. The witnesses to this event were shocked and realized they may be looking upon the Messiah; “The crowd was amazed. ‘Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?’ they wondered out loud.” Matthew 12:23.
The third Messianic miracle was the restoration of sight to a man born blind. The scriptures record the historical impact of this miracle upon the citizens of Israel and a very surprised and shocked Sanhedrin; “Never since the world began has anyone been able to open the eyes of someone born blind.” John 9:32. In verse 34 the Sanhedrin threw the man out of the Synagogue. Religion is always offended by the miraculous wonders of God. The Sanhedrin was not willing to relinquish their earthly power and control to follow a heavenly Messiah.
The last Messianic miracle was performed when Yeshua raised Lazarus from the dead in John chapter 11. Scriptures record that both Elijah and Elisha raised the dead before Yeshua was born. Yeshua raising Lazarus from the dead after the fourth day in the grave was truly a miracle to people used to witnessing miracles.
Jewish mysticism teaches that a deceased person’s spirit remains around the body for up to three days after death before departing. It was well known in Israel 2,000 years ago that someone deceased could come back to life during this 3 day period but not afterwards. By the fourth day in Israel’s hot climate advanced decay would have completely destroyed the body and the stench would have been overwhelming and unbearable. When Yeshua called Lazarus to life from the dead and healed his rotted corpse the people and the Sanhedrin knew that Yeshua was the true Messiah, performing true miracles as the prophets had foretold!
“Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together to discuss the situation. ‘What are we going to do?’ they asked each other. ‘This man certainly performs many miraculous signs’” John 11:45-47.
These miracles had profound effects upon Israel’s leadership, the Jewish people, and the world. These supernatural events not only proved that Yeshua was indeed the Messiah but they teach us what true miracles are so believers cannot be tricked by counterfeit miracles from the Anti-Messiah. We have access to the same power and authority over all sickness, curses, and disease. Yeshua gave it to us when He died as our substitute sacrifice 2,000 years ago. For the miraculous to occur in your life three biblical provisions must be met:
1. Confess your sins and be reconciled back to God.
“Salvation that comes from trusting [Messiah] which is the message we preach is already within easy reach. In fact, the Scriptures say, “The message is close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.” For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. Romans 10:8-10.
2. Know and believe that Yeshua is the Messiah.
“There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them.” Acts 4:12
“And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we are in God because we are in his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.” 1 John 5:20.
3. Trust in Yeshua as your substitute sacrifice that you are healed!
“He personally carried away our sins in his own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. You have been healed by his wounds!” I Peter 2:24.
It is God’s will that you be healed! You are redeemed from curses and sickness. Yeshua has set you free!
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
Messianic Rabbi Eric Carlson and his wife Rabbitzin Barbara of Newport News Va., have been called to spread the Good News of Messiah Yeshua’s Grace and Glory in the United States and in the countries of the Former Soviet Union (having performed Gods work in Hungary, Russia, and the Ukraine).
Active in Aliyah, the world wide exodus of the Children of Israel back to Israel as prophesied in the Bible, Zion’s Sake has sponsored the return home of over 2,269 Jewish people from Russian and the Ukraine. Through a prophetic vision from God, they were called to spread the “Good News’ of the Jewish Messiah according to the Law of Evangelism; To the Jew First. To provoke the Jewish people to jealousy. To reach the lost and hurting through the Love of Messiah and to feed the starving and clothe the naked in Newport News, Virginia, America, and the Nations.
Rabbitzin Barb Carlson Leads the Zion’s Sake dancers, a “One New Man” (Ephesians 2:15) Messianic Jewish Dance Team. They are dedicated to restoring Jewish and Davidic Dance. Many of their dances consist of the “circle dance” which represents unity. It is also traditional Judaic beliefs that demonic forces cannot penetrate a circle. They dance before the Lord, sowing praise and worship unto the God of Israel!
Click here for Congregation Zion’s Sake’s web site.