The Role Of Clowney's Triangle In The Miracles Of Jesus

Unit 3 focused on dissecting the miracles of Jesus, and how each miracle is brought to its full understanding when looked at in light of Jesus’ resurrection from the grave and His role in our daily lives. One of the primary concepts in “The Miracles of Jesus” was Clowney’s Triangle, a visual representation of a singular miracle, its symbolic meaning, and how it relates to the cross. Another reinforced concept was looking at how Jesus’ divine character gave Him authority and power over time, space, nature, and demons. Each concept has given me an opportunity to deepen my relationship with God.

Toward the beginning of “The Miracles of Jesus,” Poythress introduces us to a concept called Clowney’s Triangle. This is a chart that can be repeated

to visualize each miracle, and give its symbolic meaning and relationship to the cross. Professor Shidemantle explained the miracles in this way: In the Bible, there is always a Conservation of the Miraculous, meaning that every miracle is done for a purpose, a greater symbolic meeting, and (in the case of Jesus’ miracles, specifically) relate directly to the resurrection. This was a new concept to me, and I never read the miracles in this way. Jesus acted out his role for us as the bread of life by feeding the 5,000; By calming the storm, He showed us His ability to deliver us from sin.
Along with each miracle’s symbolic meaning and relationship to the cross, each one has a direct application to our daily lives. Just as Jairus’ daughter was raised from the dead, Jesus has raised me, as a believer, from spiritual death. Likewise, as we are the sons and daughters of the King, we do not “pay taxes” to Him, but He supplies us with all the resources we need, just as he provided the coin from the fish’s mouth. As I read the miracles as they apply to believers, it incredibly deepens my relationship with Christ as it allows me to more fully appreciate all the work he did while on Earth.
Time and time again, this Unit reinforced the idea that Jesus holds ultimate authority over nature, death, demons, space, and time. He is not bound to the natural order, and He bends it to show us his character as well as show us what He ultimately came to do. His resurrection demonstrated both His power over death, and that he is mighty to save and deliver us from sin. Even when it came to religious norms (like the rituals gone through in order to release a demon, or even healing on the Sabbath), Jesus completely changed the way people thought about the Law. He was unashamed us His divine identity, and unafraid of the consequences of professing them.
Like I mentioned before, this is not an entirely new concept to me. In fact, since a child, my parents have tried to instill this fact in me. Jesus is bigger than my worries, problems, struggles, and sin. I do not believe that I can ever fully grasp this reality, no matter how much, or how long, I study it (At least on this side of Heaven). It was worthwhile to once again come back and look deeply at this truth in this unit, and I’m glad that we did.
Reading Poythress’ book and looking deeper into the miracles of Jesus gave me new insight into the word of God, and has definitely given me an opportunity to further my relationship with Him. Using Clowney’s Triangle has helped me to visualize just how important each miracle is, and how each one is relevant to my life in Christ. Though I have always known that Jesus holds ultimate power, any time I reinforce it in my brain it an opportunity for me to be thankful and rest in His power. I am thankful for the new information I gained from this unit.