Calming the Storm
Location: Sea of Galilee
Matthew 8: 23- 27, Mark 4: 35- 41, Luke 8: 22-25
In the evening, Jesus tells His disciples:
“Let us cross over to the other side.”
Mark 4: 35
The Lord declared they were going to the other side, though the enemy sought to challenge it. As they were crossing, a great storm developed, and it looked like they would sink.
“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? 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. But He said to them, ‘Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?’ And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, ‘Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
Mark 4: 37- 41
Jesus demonstrates His power and authority over all things, including nature. When He comes into our lives, He calms the storms in us.
Casts Out the Demons into a Herd of Pigs
Location: In the Gadarenes
Matt 8: 28- 38, Mark 5: 1-20, Luke 8: 26- 39
The Greek word for “Gadarenes” is “Gergesenos,” which means a stranger drawing near. When Jesus came to the area, two men who were demon-possessed emerged from the tomb. These men were so violent and terrifying that no one would pass by this area.
‘And suddenly they cried out, saying, ‘What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding.”
Matt 8: 29, 30
These demons need a flesh vessel to operate in and prefer humans. But ask the Lord if they were cast out of these men and if they could go into the pigs. The pigs then ran violently down a hill and perished in water.
“And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region.”
Matt 8: 34
In Mark’s version, we are told first that the men were bound by chains but pulled their chains apart. Further, they would cut themselves with stones. Then the Lord asked the demon what his name was, and he responded, “My name is legion; for we are many” (Mark 5: 9)
Heals Woman with Flow of Blood
Location: Galilee
Matt 8: 42, 48, Mark 5: 25-34, Luke 8: 43-48
The woman hears about Jesus, and faith arises until she becomes persuaded that Jesus can heal her. She determines that she will be healed if she touches the tassels of His garments, which speak of His authority.
When she touches His garments, she is healed. Jesus recognizes that someone has touched Him and demanded His power. He had been surrounded by a crowd of people who saw Him as a superstar, not the Messiah.
“Who touched Mne?’ And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
Mark 5: 31b- 34
Not only was the woman healed; she was made whole. She had been sick for 12 years and spent all her money trying to get well. The flow of blood would have banned her from being in public. This sickness would have cost her financially, emotionally, socially, and physically. Jesus healed her and restored her, so she was whole and complete.
Jairus’s Daughter
Location: Capernaum in the Galilee
Matt 9: 18-19, 23-23 Mark 5: 21-24, 35-43, Luke 8: 40-42, 49-56
The account of the healing and raising from the dead of Jairus’s daughter was interrupted by the woman with the issue of blood. Jairus, a synagogue official, could have stopped the woman with the blood flow for violating the law, but he was compassionate towards her.
The story starts with Jairus coming to Jesus because his daughter is seriously ill and on the point of death. Jesus agrees to heal the girl, but they get delayed by the woman with the issue of blood.
While Jesus is speaking to the woman with the issue of blood, we are told”
“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?’ As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, ‘Do not be afraid; only believe.”
Mark 5: 35, 36
In the natural, it was over, but not for Jesus. Then, Jesus took Peter, James, and John and went to the house. He removes the mourners from the room and then, with His disciples and the father and mother, went into the room where the daughter was dead.
“Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, ‘Talitha, cumi.’ Which is translated, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise.’ Immediately the girl arose and walked…”
Mark 5: 41-42a
The Two Blind Men
Location: Capernaum in Galilee
Matthew 9: 27-31
These two men have heard that Jesus is near and begin crying out. They call Jesus the “Son of David,” referring to Him as the Messiah. As usual, Jesus asks them what they want from Him.
“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’ The He touched their eyes saying, ‘According to your faith let it be to you”
Matthew 9: 28-29
The two men are healed, and in this case, Jesus instructs them to tell no one. But the men begin sharing the news with everyone
A Mute Man Healed
Location: Capernaum in Galilee
Matthew 9: 32-33
“As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute, and demon possessed. And the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, ‘It was never seen like this in Israel. But the Pharisees said, ‘He casts out demons by the ruler of the demon.”
Matthew 9: 32- 34
When Jesus healed this poor man, instead of rejoicing for the man, the Pharisees and religious elites got mad at Jesus. Jesus was exposing them, and they knew it. They were more concerned about power over man than walking in divine authority.
Sick Man Healed at the Pool of Bethesda
Location: Bethesda
John 5: 1-15
For archaeology of the Pool- https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/jerusalem/the-bethesda-pool-site-of-one-of-jesus-miracles/
Jesus had come to Jerusalem, and by the Sheep Gate, there was the Pool of Bethesda. Here, a blind and lame man has been waiting for years to be healed because once a year, an angel would come and stir the waters, and the first one in was healed. In all the years, this man was never able to make it on time.
“When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, ‘Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, ‘Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk.’ And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath. The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, ‘It is the Sabbath; It is not lawful for you to carry your bed.’ He answered them, ‘He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’ Then they asked him, ‘Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk?’ But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the Temple, and said to him, ‘See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.”
John 5: 6- 15
The people accused the man of sinning by violating the Sabbath, but Jesus, who is the Lord of the Sabbath, told him to pick up his bed and walk and told him to sin no more.
Jesus Fed The 5,000
Location: Bethesda
Matthew 14: 13-21, Mark 6: 30-44 Luke 9: 10-17, John 6: 1-13
John the Baptist was just beheaded, and Jesus seeks to be alone, but the crowd follows Him. Jesus is moved by compassion for the people, heals them, and begins teaching them.
We are told it was close to Passover, and Jesus told His disciples to feed the people. We have the image of the Children of Israel in the wilderness and how, during the Exodus, He supernaturally cared for them. However, there is a mere percentage point for the children of Israel in this wilderness, but His disciples realize they can’t feed the people. Can you imagine that even for a very large ministry, feeding five thousand people would be expensive and challenging?
The only resources they find are five barley loaves and two fish.
“And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, ‘Gaither up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.”
John 6: 11- 12
Jesus was not looking at the problem (the people) or the bread and fish (the resources), but at the Father and thanking the Father. He just kept thanking, breaking, and giving. He was making it known that it was He who was with their forefathers and had delivered them from Egypt. He had now come to deliver them.
Walking on the Water
Location: Sea of Galilee
Verses: Matt 14: 22-32, Mark 6: 45-51, John 6: 16-21
In John chapter six and Mark six, we see Jesus take the mere two fish and five barley loaves and feed five thousand. How often have we looked and found that resources are simply insufficient? The Lord loves impossible situations. But then Jesus sent His disciples on ahead in a boat. But how is Jesus going to get to the other side?
“Now when evening came the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land.”
Mark 6: 46
They are in the middle of a storm, and Jesus is alone on land. They have no way to turn and no solution. They are in the middle of it. How often have we faced something, and if we do this, we fail, and if we try that, we fail?
“Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.”
Mark 6: 47- 48
Jesus, in His Spirit, sees them struggling. They are straining at the oars. So, they can’t use the sails. They are in the middle, so they have no coast close, and the storm is making it difficult to row. The enemy always seeks to overwhelm. Add to it that when Jesus comes, He is walking on the water and is going to pass them by! Also, can I say Jesus didn’t come rushing to their need? He waited for several hours!
Who cares how deep the water is if you are walking on it?
They see Jesus walking on the water, but how could it be Jesus? Who walks on water? They begin crying out to Him, and immediately He responds: “Be of good cheer, I AM; do not be afraid!’
His actual answer was to say, “I Am,” the same Name He gave Moses as an eternal memorial. The I AM delivered the Children of Israel from Egypt. The Great I Am brought them through the Red Sea, and now here was the Great I Am again.
The Name I Am means He is self-existing, the source of His life and all that exists. He is above all, before all, and in all. Everything that is, is because He is the I Am. All things must bow to Him, and His authority is overall.
So, what happens next?
“Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.:
Mark 6: 51
They are struggling for hours, fearing their lives are on the line, and then Jesus comes. To their surprise, He declares Himself, “I Am.” But then Jesus proves that He is the Great I Am because as soon as He steps into the boat, the storm stops.
Understand that when He was walking on the water, He was not moved by the storm. The storm didn’t stop Him, impede Him, or make Him fearful. He has no problem with the storm. It was those in the boat and the boat itself. The boat and those in it were fighting the storm. So, when Jesus transitioned from walking on the water into the boat, His peace caused the storm to cease.
