Simply Jesus The Life and Ministry of God s Son Lesson 8 Introduction As Jesus traveled throughout the cities and villages of the region, the Good News of the Kingdom continued to be preached: the long-awaited promised Messiah had come! Matthew tells us that Jesus went about healing every sickness and every disease among the people. And when He saw the multitudes, He felt great pity great mercy for them, for they were weary and scattered like sheep having no shepherd (9:35 36). Everywhere Jesus went He proclaimed the hope of heaven; healing miracles were the evidence that His teaching was true. It was love in action divinity on display. There was the dead child raised to life and the woman with a bleeding disorder who would dare to touch the hem of His garment. There were two blind men who came together, crying out for mercy and there was the mute, demon-possessed man who, when healed by Jesus, made the multitudes marvel. As lives were touched, lessons were deepened; not fully to be perceived and appreciated yet, but certainly indelibly etched on the hearts and minds of the disciples who were about to inherit the ministry to which Jesus had called them. We not only see love in action, we see divinity on display, as Jesus demonstrates His power and authority over the natural elements of this world. We read the remarkable details of Jesus calming a storm that left all the eyewitnesses struggling to understand who He was, and that affords today s reader the realization that He can calm the storms of our lives just as easily. Both Matthew and Mark explain to us the reason Jesus spoke in parables not to confuse people but to challenge those sincerely seeking to discover the true meaning of His words. The gospel accounts tell us He used stories to address the crowds, but when He was alone with His disciples, He explained the meaning to them. As you do your study this week, consider yourself challenged to discover the true meaning of His words and, while you re alone with Him, lean in to hear Him reveal to you the wonderful mystery that is yours to understand and His to unfold! Did you know We do not find the healing of the blind recorded in the Old Testament prior to Jesus. Because the two blind men believed in Him (Matthew 9:29 31), He touched their eyes and suddenly they could see. The words according to your faith do not mean in proportion to, but rather in response to. Jesus instructed them not to tell anyone about their healing because He did not want people to know Him simply as a worker of miracles, but as one whose words would bring healing to their shattered spiritual lives. 1
Open your Bible and lesson each day by beginning with a word of prayer. Up Close ~ The chart below represents a reader s guide to the contents of this week s lesson. The topical teachings and/or events covered are followed by the primary scriptural text as well as the supportive parallel passages. You will be able to receive and grasp a well-rounded picture of the story narrative in the Gospel harmony by reading every passage. However, using the bolded text as your point of reference (your anchor text) will allow you to determine the facts, lessons, and personal applications necessary to formulate your own conclusions. Teaching / Event Scripture Text Parallel Passages A Girl Restored; Matthew 9:18 26 Mark 5:22 43; Luke 8:40 56 A Woman Healed Two Blind Men & a Mute are Healed Matthew 9:27 38 Jesus Calms a Storm Mark 4:35 41 Matthew 8:23 27; Luke 8:22 25 The Purpose of Parables; Matthew 13:1 58 Parables Illustrated First Impressions: Group Discussion Reflect for a moment on the passages you have just read. Respond by recording your first impressions from your initial reading of the text. Be prepared to share one of your impressions with your discussion group. Heartbeat: Mark 5:36 NKJV (Memory verse) (Write it out once in the space below. Practice it each time you open your lesson.)... Do not be afraid; only believe. 2
Part One: Luke 8:40 56 The Compassion of Jesus The miracles Jesus performed left some speechless, others fearful, and still others worshipful of Him, but all those who came to Him received His loving compassionate touch. In the passage before us, as Jesus arrived, there was in addition to the ever-present crowds, a man named Jairus who was a leader of the local synagogue and a woman with a long term illness. He had come about his twelve year old daughter; she about her twelve year old illness. 1. Despite Jairus position as a leader, in what way did he approach Jesus? a. He pressed through the crowd to ask Jesus what? As Jesus went along with Jairus, He was met by a woman who had suffered with a hemorrhage for twelve years. Many doctors had tried to treat her but to no avail, and in the process she had depleted all her financial resources. She was running out of hope. Jairus had gotten to Jesus ahead of her and they were walking away; this might be her last chance to talk to Him. She was desperate, not only was she suffering physically, she was empty spiritually, unable to worship in the synagogue due to her uncleanness (Leviticus 15). It was a bold move for her to even be in the crowd, as anyone who touched her would also be considered ceremoniously unclean. 2. What did this woman do next? What did Jesus perceive as a result? Perhaps not wanting the crowd or Jesus to notice what she had done, she had reached out to touch Him and then turned away as quickly as possible. But the moment she touched Jesus, her bleeding stopped, the pain subsided and she knew she was healed! With the crowd pressing against Him, Jesus asked the question: Who touched Me? He of course knew, but He wanted the woman to come forward and identify herself. 3. What was her demeanor as she did? How did He acknowledge her healing? It was not His clothing that had healed her but her faith. Jesus words, Go in peace literally mean Go into peace. Jesus had not only healed her body, He had healed her soul and given her a new life! While Jesus was speaking to her a messenger brought the news Jairus was dreading his daughter was dead. 4. With what words did Jesus comfort Jairus? 3
Upon arriving at the house they were met by the mourners, but Jesus took control, keeping everyone outside except the parents, along with Peter, James, and John (who had by now become part of the Lord s inner circle). Jesus took the girl by the hand and called out to her saying, Little girl, arise. Her spirit returned and to her astonished parents Jesus gave a directive to give her something to eat. 5. What final instruction did He give her parents? Why do you think this was? Jesus knew that the awaiting crowd outside would certainly find out what had just taken place, but He was trying to protect His ministry. Perhaps cautioning them not to share the details because He did not want to be known for His works as much as His words. He knew it would be easier for the people to seek Him for a miracle rather than the mission as to why He had come to share the Good News! 6. Why do you come to Jesus today? What are you seeking? It s good to seek His gifts, better to seek HIM as the Giver. He cares most that you understand how and why He came and the difference He can make in your life today! Please share your thoughts. Part Two: Mark 4:35 41 Jesus Calms the Storms of Life Contained in the stories we read about in the four gospels we see evidence not only of Jesus power, authority and divinity, we also see the practical side of His humanity. He was a real person with real emotional feelings and real physical limitations just like everyone else. At the end of a very long day of ministry, Jesus last directive to His disciples was simply, Let us cross over to the other side the other side being the Sea of Galilee. Mark tells us that when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. With everyone watching that day, Jesus had given His all and He was tired. The disciples didn t expect more from Him. The distance they had to travel by boat was about seven miles, which could easily have taken them several hours. So amidst a flotilla of small boats accompanying them, the disciples set sail while Jesus grabbed a pillow and tucked away in the stern of the boat for some much needed rest; but not for long. What a great picture! Imagine it in your mind as you consider the following... 4
1. Describe in your own words the conditions that followed the calm launch from shore. 2. Note from verse 35 the definite plan that Jesus had for them. Contrast His assurance of their safe arrival with the perspective of the disciples once the conditions changed. Even with all the miracles they had witnessed and the lessons they had learned that day, when the storm blew in, their faith made an abrupt exit! Many of these men were fishermen, seasoned sailors, veterans on the rough seas. Yet the fierceness of this particular storm made them think this could be the end and they panicked. And where was Jesus through it all? Sound asleep. 3. Interesting isn t it that the storm didn t wake Jesus, but one word from his disciples His own got His immediate attention. What did they say to Him? Describe the intensity behind their words. Picture it: these rugged desperate men, soaking wet and out of breath were filled with accusations that Jesus doesn t care about them! And here was Jesus, quiet and composed as He spoke to nature, Peace, be still! The Greek translation literally means, put a muzzle on it knock it off. And things immediately got quiet and calm. We can t help but smile. a. What is Jesus reply to them? Selah... (Pause and think about it.) Why doesn t God do something about my situation? How often do you utter those words when God seems silent and even absent from your circumstances? What is the real heart attitude behind such words? Personal: What storm are you facing right now? Is it rocking your little boat or is it something of catastrophic proportions? Before you freak out and give in to fear, learn the lesson here: you can t sink if the LORD is on board your life-boat! The answer for your fear is to rest in His presence in the midst of the storm. It will pass and He will bring you through to the other side. In the meantime, as the winds howl around you with ever increasing intensity and your circumstances get rougher, listen to Him say, Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27).... Do not be afraid; only believe. 5
Part Three: Matthew 13:1 58 The Purpose of Parables Jesus now changes His method of communicating with the crowds to that of speaking in parables. The disciples in turn begin to question Him about it: Explain to us the parable... (v.36). Remember, there were literally thousands of people eager to get as close to Jesus as possible, either to see a miracle or be touched by one. Here in Matthew 13:10 17, Jesus lays out His reasons for using parables: Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand (v. 13). In verses 14 15, Jesus quotes a passage taken from the prophet Isaiah to illustrate. If we re not careful, it would be easy to misinterpret what this passage is saying. It does not mean that Jesus did not want them to believe; rather that their hearts were already blinded and had become hardened by unbelief. Notice that the explanation for using parables follows the example of the Parable of the Sower, where Jesus states: He who has ears to hear, let him hear (v. 9). Jesus, in His mercy, hid the truth in parables so that those coming forth who refused to believe would not incur even further responsibility by listening to more truth. Conversely, the use of parables made it possible for those who listened with ears to hear and receive the truth to understand it in depth and remember it. Following your reading of Matthew 13, select one of the parables that speak to your heart at this time and use it to complete the following exercise... 1. Note the parable you selected and why. 2. What do you see happening? List just the FACTS you find contained in the story. 6
3. What is the LESSON the Lord is conveying through the parable? 4. What does the parable mean to you personally? How can you APPLY the lesson to daily life? 7
Behold & Be Transformed What did you see as you beheld God s Son? How does beholding (looking upon) Him, motivate you to change your thoughts, habit, attitude, speech or actions? Pause... What is the most significant lesson you have learned this week? Ponder... How will you put it into practice? Pray... Write out your prayer and be specific. 2012 Janis J. Vance, All Rights Reserved. Used by permission. 8
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