The Life and Ministry of Christ, Part 18

Jesus finished teaching the multitudes from the boat by sharing several parables with them. Now, He’s stepped into a phase of ministry which eventually ended in His crucifixion and death. These miracles gave undeniable evidence that Jesus was indeed the Son of God.

Tempest Stilled – Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25

It is important to pay attention to the Lord’s words as He leads His disciples to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.

Mark 4:35–36 NKJV On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” ³⁶ Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.

Mark 4:37-38 NKJV And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. ³⁸ But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Mark 4:39-40 NKJV Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰ But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

Mark 4:41 NKJV And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Several things should be noted in this event.

First, Jesus said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”

This is significant because the Lord had a planned destination for them and nothing would interrupt it. Notice that there were other little boats with them and the storm did not just impact the boat Jesus was in. We should not discount the slightest implication of what God says because the blessing is in the details of His word. Before they embarked on the journey, the Lord told them where they were going. The storms that may arise cannot interfere with the determined word of God and His power to carry out His plan.

Second, a great windstorm arose and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was filling.

The windstorm and waves did not take the Lord by surprise. It appears that the Lord’s previous words (“Let us cross over to the other side”) had little meaning to the disciples when the storm arose. Often, sudden great tempests in life precipitate great fear rather than great faith. Their response to the storm was: “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”  The storm was so tremendous that they lost faith in His word and could only see the wind and waves. Jesus had a completely different response to the storm.

Third, Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.

How could Jesus sleep when their lives were apparently in jeopardy? Maybe we should ask, were they really in jeopardy of dying? Remember the Lord of heaven and earth was in the boat with them. It is impossible to supersede or bypass the power and determined will of God. He is greater than the sum total of all of His creation.

Fourth, listen to Jesus’ response to their fear and lack of faith.

Why would He say: “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” Their responses to the crisis appears to be a normal human reaction. Most people would respond in the same way they did. Why would Jesus expect any other response from them? Should we not fear when apparent disasters arise and threaten to destroy our lives? Notice the same boldness in the face of apparent disaster in Paul when he was in the storm and the ship was in danger of being destroyed. He had a word from God that was delivered by an angel that everything would be alright. The Master of the wind and waves was in the boat and the disciples need not fear.

Fifth, watch Jesus’ amazing power over the storm.

It is important to note that the storm and waves did not disturb the Lord or bring fear. Instead of being controlled by the storm, Jesus controlled the storm. What did He do and say to the winds and the sea? He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” Do you find it strange that Jesus spoke to the forces of nature? When the wind and sea obeyed His command, everyone marveled. Their response was, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” They had not understood yet who Jesus really was. Now Jesus is going to continue revealing Who He is.

Gadarene Demoniac Healed – Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-40

Mark 5:1 NKJV Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes.

Gadara was about six miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee. When they came to the other side of the sea, Jesus was met by the demon possessed. The story of His entrance into the country of the Gadarenes varies in the three Gospel accounts. The text in Matthew indicates that Jesus was met by two demon possessed men who were coming out of the tombs. In Mark and Luke, the emphasis is upon the one man who was possessed by many demons. The man could not be bound with shackles or chains. The man became unnaturally strong by demonic power and no chain or shackle could bind him and no one could tame him. Due to the demons, the man was in constant torment night and day and he cried out and cut himself with stones. When Jesus’ boat came ashore, the man ran to him, and the demons attempted to hinder him going to Jesus. It is important to note that no demon can keep a person from coming to Jesus.

Mark 5:6–8 NKJV When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!”

Mark 5:9 NKJV Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.”

Notice the demon responded to Jesus and recognized the LORD’s authority over him. A legion of soldiers was a military unit that varied in numbers at different times, from 5,000 to 7,000 men. Under Augustus, it consisted of 6,100 foot soldiers and 726 horsemen. When Jesus cast the unclean spirits out, they entered into a herd of about 2,000 swine that rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned. (Mark 5:13) The entire multitude of people that came out of the city were filled with fear and desired Jesus’ departure, recognizing an individual possessing greater power than demons was standing in their presence. (Mark 5:15-17 and Luke 8:34-37).  All three gospels say that Jesus got back in the boat and crossed over the Sea of Galilee again.

Mark 5:21 NKJV Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea.

When Jesus arrived on the other side of the sea, He did some amazing miracles of healing.

Miracles – Daughter Raised, Woman Flow of Blood, Sight Restored, Speech Restored – Matthew 9:18-34; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:41-56

Mark 5:22–23 NKJV And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.”

Mark 5:24 NKJV So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.

Once again Jesus was surrounded by a great multitude of people who pressed around Him. The Amplified Bible says: “As [Jesus] went, the people pressed together around Him [almost suffocating Him]. (Luke 8:42)

Mark 5:25-27 NKJV Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.

This desperate woman had persistent faith to press through the crowd to touch Jesus’ garment. As soon as she touched His garment, “power or virtue” came out of Jesus and she was immediately healed, (Luke 8:46; Mark 5:30). This “virtue or power” comes from the Greek word dunamis. Jesus possessed a divine power that literally went out from Him to heal people. This “power that went out of Him” was the same thing that had happened in Luke 6:19 where, “the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.” This is the same kind of power that fell upon people who were sick and tormented of unclean spirits when the shadow of Peter went over them. This is the unfiltered power of the Holy Spirit. This power is the anointing, virtue, or unction of the Holy Spirit that generates life. When she touched Him, Jesus turned and asked: “Who touched my clothes?” The disciples did not know what happened until Jesus asked, “Who touched my clothes?” Jesus wanted to certify to her and the crowd that it was by the power of the Holy Spirit that she was healed.

Mark 5:35 NKJV While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”

What should you do when you receive a bad report while you are seeking God’s help? This same kind of thing may happen to anyone who is pursuing an answer from the Lord. This is a test of faith that keeps many people from receiving God’s help in times of great need.

Luke 8:50 AMP But Jesus, on hearing this, answered him, Do not be seized with alarm or struck with fear; simply believe [in Me as able to do this], and she shall be made well.

Do not be afraid, only believe, and she will be made well.

Jesus was asking Jarius to have more faith in Him than in the report of the death of his daughter and the actions of those in the house. Remember all the people in the house of the ruler of the synagogue wept and wailed loudly because the girl was dead. Listen to the Lord’s instructions when He arrived at the house.

Luke 8:51–53 NKJV When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead.

Luke 8:54–56 NKJV But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.

When we are seeking answers from the Lord, we should separate ourselves from those who do not believe. As soon as Jesus took her by the hand and said “Little girl, arise,” life came back into her.

Sight and Speech Restored – Matthew 9:27-34

Matthew 9:27–28 NKJV When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” ²⁸ And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”

Why did Jesus ask “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” Jesus touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you.” (Matthew 9:29) We need to evaluate the value of personal faith. Throughout Jesus’ ministry, people were healed and great miracles took place when they believed. In the same way, the lack of faith makes miracles and healing impossible.

Matthew 9:29-30 NKJV Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” And their eyes were opened.

Matthew 9:32–34 NKJV As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. ³³ And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, “It was never seen like this in Israel!” ³⁴ But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.”

Again, the multitude witnessed Jesus cast out the demon and heal the man. Someone exercised faith by bringing the mute and demon-possessed man to Jesus. The man was immediately delivered and healed.

First Jesus gave life to the dead, then He gave sight to the blind, and now He gave speech to the mute.

Then the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.” (verse 34)

They could not deny that Jesus had done so many miracles, so they attributed them to Satan’s power. This is the same thing that was done in Matthew 12:24. This is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit and an unpardonable sin, (Matthew 12:32).

Jesus’ year of popularity ended with many miracles and with controversy.

Those who believed received His word and miracle power to heal and deliver. Those who rejected Him were filled with anger, hatred and doubt. Faith opened the door for miracles in their  lives. Jesus constantly gave this message of faith that those who believe will receive. Faith will conquer fear and bring healing, covering, deliverance, and safety that is needed.

In this lesson we learned much about the power of faith and fear. Which one of these events shows you the power of faith? Why?

What is the power that came out of Jesus to heal the woman with the issue of blood?  Can that power be accessed today? How?