This week we are digging into some of Christ's miracles to help us understand some of the reasons why the Savior performed miracles.- What is a miracle? (see Bible Dictionary, “Miracles,” 732–33.)
- What is one of the Savior’s miracles that you would like to have witnessed? Why?
- As Jesus traveled throughout Galilee teaching the gospel, he performed many miracles, including healing the sick and casting out devils (Mark 1:34, 39). Why did Jesus perform these and other miracles during his ministry?
Read, ponder, and pray about the following scriptures:
a.Mark 1:14–15, 21–45. Jesus travels throughout Galilee teaching the gospel, casting out devils, and healing the sick. He casts an unclean spirit out of a man, heals Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, and cleanses a leper.
b.Mark 2:1–12. Jesus forgives a man’s sins and heals the man of palsy.
c.Mark 4:35–41; 5:1–20; Luke 7:11–17. Jesus calms the stormy sea, casts out a legion of devils, and raises the son of the widow of Nain from the dead.
d.Mark 5:21–43. Jesus heals a woman who has an issue of blood and raises Jairus’s daughter from the dead.
b.Mark 2:1–12. Jesus forgives a man’s sins and heals the man of palsy.
c.Mark 4:35–41; 5:1–20; Luke 7:11–17. Jesus calms the stormy sea, casts out a legion of devils, and raises the son of the widow of Nain from the dead.
d.Mark 5:21–43. Jesus heals a woman who has an issue of blood and raises Jairus’s daughter from the dead.
"Lesson 7: “[He] Took Our Infirmities, and Bare Our Sicknesses”," New Testament Class Member Study Guide, (1997)
Mark 1-2; 4:35-41; 5; Luke 7:11-17
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A miracle is an extraordinary event caused by divine or spiritual power (Bible Dictionary, “Miracles,” 732–33). Why did Jesus perform miracles during his mortal ministry? (See Matthew 9:27–30; Mark 1:27; 2:10–11; 5:19 for some answers to this question.)
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Why do you think faith must precede miracles? Why don’t miracles alone provide a firm foundation for faith?
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Why are the miracles that Jesus performed during his mortal life important to you? Why is it important to know that he continues to perform miracles today? What are some examples of modern miracles?
Suggestion for Family Discussion
Invite family members to tell of miracles that have occurred in their lives or the lives of people they know.
Matthew 4:23–25 . Did Jesus Heal All Afflicted People?
ReplyDeleteThe Prophet Joseph Smith added to Matthew 4:23 this phrase, “which believed on his name.” Thus the healings performed by Jesus were reserved for those who had faith in him; they were not given to everyone, as the King James Version verse implies. (See Matthew 4:22, Inspired Version .
As you focus attention on how the miracles were an evidence of Jesus’ messiahship, consider these ideas:
ReplyDeleteThe miracles were occasioned because of the faith of those who believed on him.
They were performed out of compassion for the suffering.
They fulfilled the messianic prophecies.
Most significantly, the miracles testified to the divinity of the Son of God. The most vivid illustration of this was the healing of the paralytic man ( Matthew 9:2–8 ). Elder Bruce McConkie comments on the significance of this miracle:
“Rightly understood, this event in the life of our Lord was visible and irrefutable proof that he was the Messiah; and it was so recognized by those among whom he ministered. He had borne frequent verbal testimony that God was his Father and had supported that personal witness with an unparalleled ministry of preaching and healing. Now it was his purpose to announce that he had done what no one but God could do and to prove that he had done it by a further manifestation of his Father’s power.
“Both Jesus and the ‘doctors of the law’ who were then present knew that none but God can forgive sins. Accordingly, as a pointed and dramatic witness that the power of God was resident in him, Jesus took (perhaps sought) this appropriate occasion to forgive sins. Being then called in question by the scripturalists who know (and that rightly) that the false assumption of the power to forgive sins was blasphemy, Jesus did what no imposter could have done—he proved his divine power by healing the forgiven man. To his query, ‘Does it require more power to forgive sins than to make the sick rise up and walk?’ there could be only one answer! They are as one; he that can do the one, can do the other.” ( DNTC, 1:177–78.)
Thus within the miracles you may see two kinds of healing: (1) the healing of physical maladies and (2) the healing of spiritual maladies.
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ReplyDeleteI would love to add my husbands thoughts on the Christ calming the sea miracle and his painting he did to depict it, It goes wonderfully with this lesson:
ReplyDeletehttp://fineart.howardlyon.com/2011/02/01/from-fear-to-faith/
Wow! That's beautiful, Shari. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDelete