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 things1. Matthew 8:2-42. Matthew 8:18-273. Matthew 8:28-344. 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?