Review
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Title: The Miracles of Jesus
Author: Eric D. Huntsman
Publisher: Deseret Book Company
Genre: Jesus Christ — Miracles
Year Published: 2014
Number of Pages: 164
Binding: hardcover
ISBN10: n/a
ISBN13: 978-1-60907-916-1
Price: $25.99
Reviewed by Elizabeth W. Roach for the Association for Mormon Letters
“The Miracles of Jesus”, the latest book from Biblical scholar, Eric D. Huntsman, could be described simply as an exceptionally well-crafted and inspiring volume on the mighty works of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Huntsman explains and analyzes miracle after miracle in approachable language and with each one brings the reader back to the divinity of Jesus Christ and His mission and power to provide temporally and spiritually for all of mankind. The miracles range from turning water into wine, feeding thousands of people with a few loaves of bread and fishes to miraculous, longed for physical and spiritual healings and the forgiveness of sins to the amazing raising of Lazarus and others from the dead which all point back to Jesus Christ’s mission while He was on the earth. As He explained, “I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10).” This mandate is certainly seen throughout the five sections of the book: “Power over the Elements,” “Healing the Sick,” “Casting Out Devils,” “Healing the Blind and the Deaf,” “Raising the Dead” and the conclusion expounding on the “Greatest Miracles of All” that Christ, or anyone else for that matter, has ever performed.
There is a balance between God, Creator and Provider of all mankind with personal, intimate portraits of lives changed, broken hearts and minds healed and humble, faithful petitions answered. At the heart of all of these mighty works is Jesus Christ, usually quietly, humbly and compassionately ministering to meet the needs of the individual. Some come seeking Him as an expression of their faith, some are seeking relief from sin, others, like the lepers, are seeking to be cleansed, purified, and rescued from their weakened states, which Christ did, both physically and spiritually, restoring those around Him to whole and living conditions.
Sometimes Christ was asked to heal an infirmity and He forgave the afflicted’s sins instead. That reminds me that what God sees as most urgent and what I see as most urgent in my life may not always coincide at first and I need to step back and take time to learn about His perfect timing.
Huntsman also includes call out boxes relating to modern difficulties including abuse, addictions, depression and other forms of mental illness that are both comforting and instructive. The author makes the point repeatedly that Christ is the Savior for all of mankind, from any era, in any location, from any background with any kind of physical and emotional conditions. In the “Greatest Miracles of All” section, we read of how some miracles are still anticipated, even reuniting with our departed loved ones. That is especially consoling to those who have and will lose beloved friends and family. Christ does and will make this salvation and reunion possible through His Atonement and the eventual resurrection of all those who have lived on the earth.
Reading this book reminds me of one of those children’s body books that have various transparent overlays of the bones, organs, muscles, etc., showing how the various systems of the body relate to each other then finally shows how the skin holds all these diverse parts together. “The Miracles of Jesus” seems to me to be written in layers, for lack of a better way to describe it. The expository text is thoroughly researched and documented. The endnotes in the appendix have a more scholarly tone and contain generous comments and source information. There are several words explained in Greek and Hebrew when they would add layers of understanding and meaning.
On almost every page there is some additional support to the text; either a map, a call out box frequently quoting modern prophets and apostles on related topics or inspirational music, a topographical diagram, dozens of photographs taken by the author as he traversed the Holy Land to illustrate the landscape and archaeological features, and examples of modern and classical artwork. For example, the diagram and pictures about the pools of Bethesda show how the various levels and porches were laid out and related to each other, where the waters may have flowed in and why it would have been hard for an invalid to get into the water. There is another photograph of a large stone where tradition says Jesus may have served His disciples a meal of roasted fish after His resurrection when the disciples had been out all night fishing.
It has never occurred to me that might have happened in that way. I had always pictured the moment more like eating around a campfire. This photograph gives an added dimension to what the experience may have been like for the disciples after a night of intense manual labor. To sit around a table and eat with Jesus again would have reminded them profoundly of the Last Supper and what Christ had commissioned them to do there. The Atonement, of course, is the part that holds all the other diverse parts together.
The maps are very helpful in understanding which miracles occurred in Jewish territory and which ones took place in Gentile locations and their significance. Those distinctions also had not previously occurred to me. The author points out that one of the miraculous feedings of a multitude was clearly Jewish with symbols related to the covenant people and the gathering of the house of Israel while the other was in a Gentile area and could represent the blessing and providing for all mankind. The feeding of the multitudes leads me to ponder on the dual nature of many of Jesus Christ’s miracles, both the blessing and the ones who are blessed. He sends out His sustenance in the form of the gospel to us, but we also have a role in the miracle just as the multitude did. As the multitude offered up the broken fragments as a sign they had been nourished by Christ, we too offer up our broken hearts back to Christ as we accept His gospel and His atoning sacrifice on our behalf and practice turning and returning to Him.
I am struck by the variety of the artwork pieces that illustrate the miracles. James Tissot is particularly well represented. The art ranges from Byzantine mosaics to 21st century artist Yongsung Kim, who is from South Korea and has a twitter account. The artists represent 15 centuries and at least four continents with a variety of religious experiences. This shows us another layer of how Jesus Christ is the Savior of all mankind, regardless of the era or the location of one’s upbringing.
The inspirational music selections harmonize well with the various miracles and events. I found them to be hopeful, faith based, meditative and comforting. The background on the composers or writers was also interesting. If I could add any suggestion to the book it would be about the music. While the overall tone of the selections is to reassure, inspire faith and fortify hope in the awaited miracles, I am left feeling like one of the nine lepers that received a new chance at life through faith in Christ’s word, but did not return to thank him. I looked for the heartfelt praise music to express gratitude and love for the miracles realized in my life. It was there somewhat in “Amazing Grace” and “Death Shall Not Destroy My Comfort”, but I would have liked more. I kept thinking of the line from “More Holiness Give Me” – “(grant me) more patience in suffering, more praise for relief”.
I have one more improvement to suggest about the overall book. I have been wanting to write all over it and make notes to myself as I was making new connections, but it is such a beautiful gift quality book, that I didn’t want to detract from it. I ended up using another notebook to keep track of thoughts in, but I would like a couple of blank note pages in the back so I can record the reflections and inspiration I get as I read.
In conclusion, the miracles performed by Jesus Christ are not limited to a certain ancient time period or location or to those of a particular cultural heritage, but they are available for everyone based on their faith. My favorite photograph in the book has to be the sunrise taken near Galilee on the day when the Huntsman family experienced their own personal miracle. One can clearly see the bands of color as the sun is rising in the photo. I love to watch sunrises because if I watch carefully, I can see the entire rainbow spectrum in the sky every morning in large color swathes that cover the sky. It is like seeing a rainbow but just over a time and on a much grander scale. It reminds me powerfully that God said He put the rainbow in the sky to remind Himself of the everlasting covenant He makes with His people.
I like to think God can see the large bands of color every morning as well and He again remembers His everlasting covenant with His people. The account of the Huntsman family’s day on the boat on Galilee reminds me that Jesus Christ is still actively performing miracles in our day, with His perfect timing not ours. In “The Miracles of Jesus,” Eric Huntsman illustrates in a variety of ways that Christ performed many mighty works. He still works in us and through us today and we look forward to being witnesses and participants in the greatest of all miracles which is still to come.