“He Took Our Infirmities, and Bare Our Sicknesses”

New Testament Lesson 7: Mark 1, 2, 4, 5

What is a miracle?An extraordinary event caused by divine or spiritual power

They seem to transcend natural laws, but are simply manifestations of higher laws not generally known to mortal men.

Bruce R. McConkie"Miracles cannot be in contravention of natural law, but are wrought through the operation of laws not universally or commonly recognized....

"In the contemplation of the miracles wrought by Christ, we must of necessity recognize the operation of a power transcending our present human understanding. In this field, science has not yet advanced far enough to analyze and explain. To deny the actuality of miracles on the ground that, because we cannot comprehend the means, the reported results are fictitious, is to arrogate to the human mind the attribute of omniscience, by implying that what man cannot comprehend cannot be, and that therefore he is able to comprehend all that is."

Jesus travels through Galilee teaching the gospel and performing miracles

Why did he perform miracles?

To show love and compassion

To build and confirm faith

To prove his divinity and power

Our goal is to understand his motives and how they apply to us - not to dissect the stories

Mark 1: Casting out unclean spirits

He called his apostles and then went to Capernum on the Sabbath

A man with an unclean spirit interrupts the services and calls out

Mark 1:22, 25-28

What power did he use?

What does this teach us about the power of the devil?

Mark 1: Jesus heals the leper

What was the quality of life of a leper?

40-42, What was the motive for the miracle?

43-45, Why didn’t he want it published about?

Miracles can’t create faith, he needed to teach!

Mark 2: Jesus forgives a man’s sins and heals the man of palsy

1-4, How many were involved in this miracle?

Group faith works! Mosiah 27:14

5-7, What does he heal first? Why?

8-12, He confirms his power to the afflicted man - then heals him

James E. Talmage"According to one of the accounts, the Lord's first words to the afflicted one were: 'Son, be of good cheer'; followed directly by the comforting and authoritative assurance: 'Thy sins be forgiven thee.' The man was probably in a state of fear; he may have known that his ailment was the result of wicked indulgences; nevertheless, though he may have considered the possibility of hearing only condemnation for his transgression, he had faith to be brought. In this man's condition there was plainly a close connection between his past sins and his present affliction; and in this particular his case is not unique, for we read that Christ admonished another, whom He healed, to sin no more lest a worse thing befall him." (Jesus the Christ, p192)

Jesus calms the sea, casts out devils, and raises the son of the widow of Nain from the dead

Mar 4:35-41, Jesus calms the sea

Why was he able to rest? What is he teaching?

He created a “great calm” from chaos. How often do we struggle when we need only ask?

Mar 5:1-20, Casting out devils into swine

Luke 7:11-17, Raising a young man from the dead

Mark 5: Jesus heals a woman with an issue of blood and raises Jairus’s daughter from the dead

21-24, Jairus comes to Jesus

25-29, Woman with issue touches him

5:30-34, 2nd miracle

35-36, Jairus’s reaction

37-40, He put them all out. Why?

41-43, She is healed

ConclusionWhat was his ultimate motivation?

D&C 133:53

Like a sweet parent, his heart breaks for us

D&C 35:8-9, Miracles continue today

Pres Eyring: Keep a record of miracles and preserve it so you and your children will have it as a witness.