“[He] Took Our Infirmities, and Bare Our Sicknesses”

Lesson 7 - Mark 1-2; Mark 4:35-41; Mark 5; Luke 7:11-17

Introduction

A miracle is an extraordinary event caused by divine or spiritual power (see Bible Dictionary, “Miracles,” 732-33.) Think about one of the Savior’s miracles that you would like to have witnessed. Why would you want to see that miracle? Today’s lesson will discuss some of the Savior’s miracles and his reasons for performing them.

Old Testament Miracles

Miracles were not new to the Jews. Miracles had been performed previously by Old Testament prophets whom the Jews honored. Here are a few examples:

• The prophet Elijah raises a boy from the dead (1 Kings 17:17-24).
• The prophet Elisha feeds a multitude with a small amount of food (2 Kings 4:42-44).
• The prophet Elisha heals Naaman, a leper (2 Kings 5:1-19).

The power used by these prophets to perform miracles was the same power that was manifested in Jesus--The priesthood, the divine power given to them by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Jesus traveled through Galilee teaching the gospel and performing miracles

Mark 1:34, 39 As Jesus traveled throughout Galilee teaching the gospel, he performed many miracles, including healing the sick and casting out devils. As we search the scriptures, we find that Jesus performed these and other miracles during his ministry for these reasons:

• Mark 5:19; 3 Nephi 17:6-7 To show love and compassion.
• Matthew 9:27-30 To build and confirm faith.
• Mark 1:27; Mark 2:10-11 To prove his divinity and power

Mark 1:22, Mark 1:27 The people in the synagogue in Capernaum were amazed at Jesus’ teachings and his ability to cast out unclean spirits because he taught as one having authority and not one who was simply a teacher. We know the authority by which Jesus taught and performed his miracles. He did it by the power of the priesthood, which the scribes did not have. We have access to this power and authority today in the Church.

Mark 1:41 One reason Jesus healed the leper was because he was moved with compassion. Jesus performed many miracles that directly blessed just one person, demonstrating how Jesus feels about us individually—as children of the Father with great potential.

Think about how he has shown love and compassion for you.

Think about how we can show Christlike love and compassion for those around us.

And consider how other people have shown Christlike love and compassion for you.

Jesus forgave a man’s sins and healed the man of palsy.

Mark 2:3, 5 The faith of his companions contributed to the healing of the man who was sick with palsy.

Mark 2:4 These people demonstrated their faith by going the extra mile to seek help for their friend.

Think about how you can exercise faith in behalf of others and how the faith of others has helped you or someone you know.

Mark 2:5-7 Some of the scribes thought it was blasphemous when Jesus told the man with palsy that his sins were forgiven. The Savior immediately perceived their thoughts.

Mark 2:8-11 Jesus responded to these scribes by pointing out the power that he had. Just as it was a miracle for the man to be healed of palsy, it was also a miracle for him to be forgiven of his sins. This miracle of forgiveness is available to each of us as we repent.

Isaiah 53:5; 2 Nephi 25:13; 3 Nephi 9:13 The Savior’s physical healings were symbols of his redemptive power—the power to heal all the wounds of mortality and give immortality to all mankind.

Think about how Jesus’ healing power has blessed you spiritually and how you might seek spiritual healing.

Jesus calmed the sea, cast out devils, and raised the son of the widow of Nain from death

The physical aspects of the Savior’s miracles often symbolized spiritual truths. Consider the spiritual truths can be learned from the following miracles:

• Mark 4:35-41. Jesus calmed the sea. (He can bring us peace.)
• Mark 5:1-20. Jesus cast out a legion of devils. (He can cast Satan and his influence out of our lives.)
• Luke 7:11-17. Jesus raised a young man from the dead. (Because of his Atonement, we will rise from the dead in the Resurrection.)

Upon serious consideration, other insights might be gained from studying these three miracles.

Jesus healed a woman with an issue of blood and raised Jairus’s daughter from the dead.

Mark 5:25-29 The woman with an issue of blood showed her faith by mingling with the crowd around Jesus for an opportunity just to touch his clothes.

Mark 5:34 records the cause of her healing. It was her faith in Jesus’ power, not the act of touching his garment that caused her to be healed.

Mark 5:22-23 Jairus showed his faith in the Savior by asking that the Savior lay his hands on his daughter that she might be healed.

Mark 5:36 When Jairus heard that his daughter was dead, Jesus encouraged him to be strong in his faith.

Think about how you can apply these words in your life.

Ether 12:12, Ether 12:18; Moroni 7:37 Faith must precede miracles. Miracles alone do not provide a firm foundation for faith.

Brigham Young said: “Miracles, or these extraordinary manifestations of the power of God, are not for the unbeliever; they are to console the Saints, and to strengthen and confirm the faith of those who love, fear, and serve God” (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1941], 341).

Questions for thought:

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?

Conclusion

The Savior can heal both spiritual and physical infirmities. We should be thankful for all that he has done for us. Silently ponder the miracles you have experienced, then recognize and give thanks for miracles in your life.

These lessons are posted on the Internet at http://www.neumanninstitute.org