Bonaventure is correct in seeing Jesus healings to our need of his salvation. Their prayers are ours: “Lord, if you wish you can make me clean.” “Have mercy on me, Son of David.” “Lord, the one you love is ill.”
But these healings aren’t simply acts of supernatural mercy. First of all, they are the fulfillment of prophecy that God’s utopia has arrived—for in God’s world there’s no tears, no mourning, no sickness, no blindness.
Secondly, miracles are Jesus’ attacks on the spirits of judgment. These people are overwhelmed by judgment on their sin—whether great or small. Jesus not only releases them from suffering, but gives them assurance of God’s forgiveness and presence. Through the miracle they know: God is with them and they are with God.
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