The The Miracles of Miracles of

MarkMark

General InformationGeneral Information

The miracles of Jesus are “mighty The miracles of Jesus are “mighty acts” (6:2, 5, 14); 17 are mentioned acts” (6:2, 5, 14); 17 are mentioned by Mark.by Mark.

Different kinds of miracles: Different kinds of miracles: – Exorcisms (casting out of demons)Exorcisms (casting out of demons)– HealingsHealings– Power over nature Power over nature

That Jesus performed miracles was That Jesus performed miracles was never denied, even by his enemies.never denied, even by his enemies.

General InformationGeneral Information

His miracles put him into conflict with:His miracles put him into conflict with:– AuthoritiesAuthorities– Family (his own); they think he’s crazyFamily (his own); they think he’s crazy– Satan’s powerSatan’s power

For Mark, Jesus is a man of conflict, a For Mark, Jesus is a man of conflict, a lionlion roaming territory to establish his roaming territory to establish his control over another lion, Satan (1 control over another lion, Satan (1 Peter 5:8).Peter 5:8).

Most of Jesus’ miracles take place in the Most of Jesus’ miracles take place in the first half of Mark’s gospel.first half of Mark’s gospel.

The Demon Possessed ManThe Demon Possessed Man(Mark 5:1-20)(Mark 5:1-20)

The region of the Garasenes was in The region of the Garasenes was in Gentile territory, outside of Palestine.Gentile territory, outside of Palestine.

The man is an example of what Satan’s The man is an example of what Satan’s power can do in someone’s life.power can do in someone’s life.

Although the man was “alive” he was in Although the man was “alive” he was in a state of death, dominated by Satan.a state of death, dominated by Satan.

The demon knew Jesus’ identity; in Mark, The demon knew Jesus’ identity; in Mark, people are unclear as to Jesus’ identity.people are unclear as to Jesus’ identity.

The man fell at the feet of Jesus—a sign The man fell at the feet of Jesus—a sign of submission.of submission.

The Demon Possessed ManThe Demon Possessed Man(Mark 5:1-20)(Mark 5:1-20)

““Legion” describes 6,000 soldiers. The Legion” describes 6,000 soldiers. The man had many demons inside him. man had many demons inside him.

The demon “begged” Jesus not to The demon “begged” Jesus not to send them out of the area.send them out of the area.

Jesus Jesus allowedallowed them to enter the pigs; them to enter the pigs; shows Jesus’ authority over spirits. shows Jesus’ authority over spirits.

Note the people’s response: “They Note the people’s response: “They were afraid” (v. 15). were afraid” (v. 15).

The Demon Possessed ManThe Demon Possessed Man(Mark 5:1-20)(Mark 5:1-20)

They “They “pleadedpleaded” with Jesus to leave (v. ” with Jesus to leave (v. 17). Their response is similar to the 17). Their response is similar to the demons. demons.

The healed man pleads with Jesus to The healed man pleads with Jesus to go with him, but Jesus didn’t allow go with him, but Jesus didn’t allow him.him.

Instead, Jesus sent him on a mission: Instead, Jesus sent him on a mission: tell what God has done for you.tell what God has done for you.

The man did what Jesus asked. This is The man did what Jesus asked. This is true discipleship: obedience.true discipleship: obedience.

A Dead Girl and Sick WomanA Dead Girl and Sick Woman(Mark 5:21-43)(Mark 5:21-43)

A synagogue ruler’s “little daughter” is A synagogue ruler’s “little daughter” is dying.dying.

A woman who had been bleeding for A woman who had been bleeding for 12 years interrupts the story. She too 12 years interrupts the story. She too was dying. was dying.

The woman’s faith is meant to show The woman’s faith is meant to show what Jairus needed to have. what Jairus needed to have.

““Immediately” she was healed (v. 29).Immediately” she was healed (v. 29).

A Dead Girl and Sick WomanA Dead Girl and Sick Woman(Mark 5:21-43)(Mark 5:21-43)

Notice what Jesus calls her: “Daughter” Notice what Jesus calls her: “Daughter” The little girl dies while Jesus is on the The little girl dies while Jesus is on the

way—Jesus’ requirement is faith (v. way—Jesus’ requirement is faith (v. 36).36).

““ImmediatelyImmediately” she got up at Jesus’ ” she got up at Jesus’ command. command.

The age of the girl (12 yrs) was the The age of the girl (12 yrs) was the time the woman had been sick. time the woman had been sick.

The little girl is a “daughter.”The little girl is a “daughter.”

Walking on Water (Mark 6:45-Walking on Water (Mark 6:45-56)56)

This miracle shows Jesus’ power over the This miracle shows Jesus’ power over the material world.material world.

Disciples in a boat, struggling Disciples in a boat, struggling againstagainst the wind—symbol of the church in the the wind—symbol of the church in the world.world.

44thth watch of the night watch of the night: 3:00-6:00 am (for : 3:00-6:00 am (for sailors on the sea, this was the hour of sailors on the sea, this was the hour of strange occurrences.strange occurrences.

They were afraid when they saw Jesus: They were afraid when they saw Jesus: “Don’t be afraid; “Don’t be afraid; it is Iit is I.” (see Ex. 3:14).” (see Ex. 3:14)

Presence of God is meant to comfort us. Presence of God is meant to comfort us.

Healing a Blind Man (Mark Healing a Blind Man (Mark 8:22-26)8:22-26)

A strange way to heal: spit on his A strange way to heal: spit on his eyes and put his hands on him.eyes and put his hands on him.

““I see people who look like trees.”I see people who look like trees.” Only miracle Jesus performs twice; Only miracle Jesus performs twice;

was there not enough power?was there not enough power? The man’s vision clearing up shows The man’s vision clearing up shows

the slow progress of people to the slow progress of people to recognize Jesus’ identity. recognize Jesus’ identity.

This miracle shows Jesus’ power over This miracle shows Jesus’ power over sickness.sickness.

Healing of Boy With Evil Spirit Healing of Boy With Evil Spirit (Mark 9:14-32) (Mark 9:14-32)

A boy is possessed by an evil spirit and A boy is possessed by an evil spirit and the disciples cannot drive it out. the disciples cannot drive it out.

““But if you can do anything…” Jesus But if you can do anything…” Jesus takes note of this comment: “If you takes note of this comment: “If you can?”.can?”.

FaithFaith in God’s power defines a disciple; in God’s power defines a disciple; the man wavers between faith / unbelief.the man wavers between faith / unbelief.

PrayerPrayer is required; it shows dependence is required; it shows dependence on God, not on oneself.on God, not on oneself.

This is how to overcome Satan. This is how to overcome Satan.