Lesson 17A – Matthew 8–9, Mark
1:23–2:12; 5:21–6:6, Luke 7–8
Miracles
The Teachings of Christ
• Again, we are now in the period of the
teaching and ministry of Christ.
• Three main methods of teaching during this
time:
– Sermons
– Parables
– Miracles
• Today let’s talk about what a genuine miracle
is and why they were performed by Christ.
What is a miracle?
• In the most generic sense,
something we cannot explain.
• There are some types of
miracles that are not genuine.
– Manmade and
understandable by some
(technology, medicine, etc)
– Tricks by magicians or
religious practitioners
– Deceptions by the adversary
(detectable by the Spirit)
Requirements
• Dallin H. Oaks requires 3
elements for a genuine
miracle
– They are brought about by
divine power
– Mortals do not understand
them
– Mortals cannot duplicate them
– (They are for the benefit of
man)
Two types of genuine miracles
• Miracles worked by the power
of priesthood
– Invoked intentionally by
authority from God
– Reliant on the faith of the
blessed and worthiness of the
blesser
– Most of the miracles of Christ
• Miracles worked through the
power of faith
– Without specifically invoking
the power of the priesthood.
– Luke 8:43-48
– Often happen to strengthen
our faith (Stake Conference)
Scope
• Macro-miracles
– Some miracles affect many people.
Examples?
– Growth of the church, tithing, family
history
• What miracle is the greatest of all?
Affects everyone?
– The Atonement of Jesus Christ
• Micro-miracles
– Some miracles affect only one or very
few.
– These are personal experiences, often
not shared
– Demonstrate His care for each of His
children
Why then did Christ perform miracles?
• To Gather
• Would Christ have had such
multitudes to teach if He
hadn’t performed miracles?
– Also when recruiting the
apostles
• Yet He did not want to be
known solely for these acts
• Matthew 8:4 – Why did He
discourage the man from
telling others?
– Show of humility
– “Pearls before swine”
To Gather
• Was He able to convert people
through miracles alone?
– No, because there were those
who witnessed the miracles
and were not converted; in
fact, they were hardened even
more.
• Those converted usually had
faith in Christ before the
miracle.
• After the miracle, the Spirit
testified of the true nature of
Christ’s power and they
understood how that same
power can heal their souls.
To Testify of Power
• Christ showed His power over many things
1.
2.
3.
4.
Matthew 8:2-4
Matthew 8:18-27
Matthew 8:28-34
Matthew 9:18-19, 23-26
• Why was it important for Christ to show this
power over all?
–
If we trust in Christ, we need not worry about
sickness, the elements, the devil, or even death.
Through Him we can also overcome all.
To Teach
• We’ve already talked about
how Christ uses each miracle to
teach.
• There are very few instances
that don’t have some extra
element to learn from.
• Often the miracle is symbolic
and uses symbolic terms
– Be ye whole, clean, healed
– Pease, be still
– Arise
• Those attuned to the Spirit will
understand the significance.
To Love
• We cannot say that Christ
performed these miracles out of
anything but absolute pure love
and compassion for each of us.
• His miracles are intimate; He
connects with the blessed
spiritually as well.
• Even more so, His greatest
miracle, the Atonement, was
done with the greatest love by
Him, and by the Father
• John 3:16
Notebook Ideas
• What miracles have you seen in your life?
How were you able to know they were
miracles?
• What have personal miracles or the stories of
others taught you about Jesus Christ?