b) As Jesus neared the city, they were bringing out a dead man to be buried. He was the only son of a widow woman and many of the towns people were with her to comfort her. (Lk. 7:12)

c) Jesus had compassion on her and told her not to cry. (Lk. 7:13)

d) Jesus touched the coffin, and the men carrying it stopped. Jesus told the young man to come forth. (Lk. 7:14)

e) The young man arose and spoke and Jesus presented him back to his mother. (Lk. 7:15)

f) This demonstrated Jesus' power over death.

Editor's note: One of the greatest Prophets that Israel had ever known was Elijah, and this miracle bears some similarity to Elijah's raising of the widow's son, found in 1 Kings 17:17-24. Though Elijah "stretched himself out" on the widow's son, and Jesus merely spoke to the man to raise him from the dead, the ability to resurrect from the dead was powerful proof that an individual had access to the power of the Always Living God. There was a great dissimilarity between the two accounts, though, for Elijah had no power of himself to raise the widow's son - he entreated God and life was returned to the boy. Jesus, however, is a vessel of Life, and He gave that which He possessed - the power of Life - to the widow's son.

(1 John 5:11-13 KJV) "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. {12} He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. {13} These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

b) The crowds were marveling at what Jesus accomplished, saying this isn't the Son of David is it? (Mt. 12:23 ; Lk. 11:14)

c) The Pharisees were saying Jesus cast out the demon by using Satan's power, who was the ruler of demons. (Mt. 12:24 ; Lk. 11:15)

d) Others asked Jesus for a sign from heaven. (Lk. 11:16)

e) Jesus knowing their thoughts, said anyone divided against himself, must fall. (Mt. 12:25 ; Lk. 11:17)

f) If Satan would deny himself, how shall his house stand. (Mt. 12:26 ; Lk. 11:18)

g) This demonstrated Jesus' power over demons and dumbness.

Can a believer commit "blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?" See this study for a detailed answer.

a) Jesus was once again surrounded by a crowd, He told the disciples to carry Him to the other side of the lake (the sea of Galilee). (Mt. 8:18)

b) When it was evening the disciples followed Jesus into the boat, and there were other boats along side them. (Mt. 8:23 ; Mk. 4:35-36 ; Lk. 8 :22)

c) There was such a great storm that it began filling the boat, but Jesus slept through it. (Mt. 8:24 ; Mk. 4:37-38 ; Lk. 8:23)

d) The disciples woke Jesus up because they thought they were sinking. (Mt. 8:25 ; Mk. 4:38 ; Lk. 8:24)

e) Jesus spoke to them about having so little faith, never the less He spoke to the storm and it was calm. (Mt. 8:26 ; Mk. 4:39-40 ; Lk. 8:25)

f) The disciples were amazed, because even nature obeyed this man. (Mt. 8:27 ; Mk. 4:41 ; Lk. 8:25)

g) This demonstrated Jesus' power over nature.

Are you in the ship with Jesus?

a) The country of the Gaderenes was on the other side of the Sea of Galilee. When Jesus arrived on the Gaderene shores, a man met Him who was possessed by many demons. The man was very strong, having broke the chains that the townspeople had bound him with. He wandered about the tombs cutting himself with rocks and preventing people from using the road. (Mt. 8:28 ; Mk. 5:1-5 ; Lk. 8:26-27&29)

b) The demon sought to find out what Jesus was going to do with it. Because Jesus had commanded the demon to leave. The demon wanted to know why Jesus was tormenting it before it was time. (Mt. 8:29 ; Mk. 5:6-8 ; Lk. 8:28-29)

c) Jesus asked the demon it's name, it said Legion for we are many. (Mk. 5:9 ; Lk. 8:30)

d) There was a heard of pigs feeding near by. The demons begged Jesus to allow them to enter the pigs, instead of the abyss , if they were cast out. (Mt. 8:30-31 ; Mk. 5:11-12 ; Lk. 8:31-32)

e) Jesus told the demon to leave, so they entered the heard of pigs. It was a large heard of pigs there being some two thousand of them. When the demon entered them they rushed into the sea and perished. (Mt. 8:32 ; Mk. 5:12-13 ; Lk. 8:33)

f) The herdsmen guarding the pigs, rushed to the city telling their story as they went. (Mt. 8:33 ; Mk. 5:14 ; Lk. 8:34)

g) When the people came to the edge of town towards the tombs, they found the possessed man dressed and in his right mind. They were very frightened by all they had seen and heard. (Mk. 5:15-16 ; Lk. 8:35)

h) The whole city found Jesus and asked Him to leave. (Mt. 8:34 ; Mk. 5:17 ; Lk. 8:36-37)

I) The man who had been cleansed from the demon tried to climb in the boat with Jesus. Jesus gently sent him back and told him to tell the towns people of Jesus' mercy, this is exactly what the man did. (Mk. 5:18-20 ; Lk. 8:38-39)

j) This demonstrated Jesus' control over demons.

Related studies at this site: Satan's Coworkers, the Evil Angels; Jesus and The Demons; Ephesians Chapter Six

a) Jesus is on His way to see a little girl whose father is an elder at the synagogue. While He is going to see her another miracle takes place. (Mt. 9:18-19)

b) There was a woman who had suffered a blood disorder (hemorrhage) for twelve years. She had spent every thing she had to be made well and was still sick. She came up and touched the hem of Jesus' garment. (Mt. 9:20 ; Mk. 5:22-27 ; Lk. 8:43-44)

c) The woman thought to herself, if only I can touch His garment I can be healed. (Mt. 9:21 ; Mk. 5:28)

d) Jesus felt the healing power leave His body and turned toward the crowd seeking who had touched Him. The woman knowing she had been healed went before Jesus and the crowd and told them what had happened. Jesus told her that her faith had made her whole. (Mt. 9:22 ; Mk. 5:29-34 ; Lk. 8:45-48)

e) This demonstrates Jesus' power over despair

This is an incident on the road, a wonder by the way. While the Lord is moving towards the chamber of the ruler’s dying daughter he works a miracle without a word. He was intent on his design to raise a girl, but without designing it he cures an older woman. The very spillings and overflowings of Christ’s power are precious.

Note the word "behold." Here we have a notable circumstance. This afflicted woman had suffered from a weakening hemorrhage for "twelve years", and had found no cure, but now she beheld the great Miracleworker, and with a timid courage she pushed into the crowd, and touched the hem of his garment. Great fear kept her from facing him: great faith led her to believe that a touch of his robe behind him would cure her. She was ignorant enough to think that healing went from him unconsciously, but yet her faith lived despite her ignorance, and triumphed despite her bashfulness. It was her own idea to make a dash for it, and steal a cure: "She said within herself." It was her wisdom that at once she carried out her resolve. Poor soul! it was her only chance, and she would not lose it. It happened that our Lord’s dress was drawn backward by the throng, and she was able with her finger to reach it’s hem. She believed that this would be enough, and so it proved Oh, that we were as eager to be saved as she was to be healed! Oh, that we had such confidence in Jesus as to be sure that if we come into contact with him, even by the least promise, and the smallest faith, he can and will save us!

My soul, when thou art in urgent need, be brave to come nigh unto thy Lord, for if a touch of his garment will heal, what virtue must lie in his own self!

a) Jesus has left the shores of the Gaderenes where He healed a man of demon possession and come back towards Capernaum. He has already healed a woman of a blood disorder and is on His way to perform another miracle. (Mk. 5:21 ; Lk. 8:40)

b) A synagogue elder named Jarius has come to Jesus saying my only daughter who is twelve years old is very ill, I know if You lay Your hands on her she will be well. (Mt. 9:18 ; Mk. 5:22-23 ; Lk. 8:41-42) [See Ryrie note on Mk. 5:22- Jarius was an elder at the Capernaum synagogue which Jesus attended.]

c) Jesus and His disciples followed Jarius along with a great crowd. (Mt. 9:19 ; Mk. 5:24)

d) A servant came and told Jarius there was no need to trouble Jesus anymore that his daughter had died. (Mk. 5:35 ; Lk. 8:49)

e) Jesus told Jarius that he must believe. (Mk. 5:36 ; Lk. 8:50)

f) Jesus continued walking only allowing Peter James and John to continue with Him. (Mk. 5:37 ; Lk. 8:51)

g) Jesus came to the house and found flute players and a noisy crowd already assembled. (Mt. 9:23 ; Mk. 5:38 ; Lk.8:52)

h) Jesus told the crowd to leave, He said the girl is not dead she is only asleep. (Mt. 9:24 ; Mk. 5:39)

i) When the crowd left, there was none there except for the father, mother and the three disciples. Jesus took the maiden by the hand and she arose. (Mt. 9:25 ; Mk.5:40-41)

j) The girl got up strait away and began walking, everyone there was amazed. (Mk. 5:42 ; Lk. 8:54)

k) Jesus instructed every one there not to tell any one what had happened and told them to give the girl something to eat. (Mk. 5:43 ; Lk. 8:55)

l) The news spread every where. (Mt. 9:26 ; Lk. 8:56)

m) This again demonstrated Jesus power over death.

ja’-i-rus, ja-i’-rus (Iaeiros): A ruler in a synagogue near Capernaum whose only daughter, aged about 12 years, was raised from the dead by Jesus (#Mt 9:18-26; Mr 5:22-43; Lu 8:41-56). The accounts of the miracle are substantially the same, but vary in detail. According to Mark and Luke the arrival of Jairus in Capernaum fell immediately after the return of Jesus from Gadara, but according to Matthew the sequence of events was that Jesus had returned to Capernaum, had called Matthew, had joined the feast of the publicans, and had just finished His discourse on fasting when Jairus came to Him. Matthew and Mark both testify to the great faith of Jairus, who besought of Jesus that He should but lay His hand upon the maid and she should live. According to Matthew she was already dead when Jairus came to Capernaum; according to the others she was on the point of death; but all agree as to her death before the arrival of Jesus and His followers at her abode. Matthew implies that Jesus alone was present at the actual raising; Mark and Luke state that Peter, James, John and the parents were also there. The healing of the woman with the issue of blood by Jesus on the way is given by all.

C. M. Kerr

a) Jesus has healed a woman with a blood disorder, and raised a little girl from the dead, now He is leaving the area. (Mt. 9:18-26)

b) When Jesus leaves, two blind men begin to follow Him. (Mt. 9:27)

c) They come into a house that He has entered. Jesus notices them and ask if they believe He can heal them. They reply yes, we believe You can heal us. (Mt. 9:28)

d) He touches their eyes, and says your faith has healed you. (Mt. 9:29)

e) Jesus warns them to tell no one. (Mt. 9:30)

f) They go out and spread the word of Him anyway. (Mt. 9:31)

g) This demonstrates Jesus' power over darkness.

Our Lord Jesus always healed with a touch. Yet He said:

(John 14:12 KJV) "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."

How could we possibly do greater works than Jesus did? The Apostles gave ample proof that our Lord spoke the truth.

(Acts 5:12-15 KJV) "And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. {13} And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. {14} And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) {15} Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them."

If just the shadow of the Apostle Peter touched the sick, they were raised and sent away healthy. Was this power in Peter? No, but that power was in the Spirit of God which indwelt Peter, and truly indwells every believer. In our day we have forgotten this promise of the Son. If we show the least sign of illness, we are devastated. We run to the doctor, run to the hospital, and in so panicking we have inflated the cost of medicine in this country beyond that which the common man can afford. We run hither and yon, yet never once consider running to the Savior. He who saved our souls, cannot He save our bodies as well? Where are the faithful ones, O Lord, who run for You rather than the aspirin bottle? Where are those who believe, and overcome the world with their belief? If the Church in America dies in the next generation, then it will be this generation that consumed the poison of its demise.

a) John the Baptist, Jesus' cousin has been beheaded. (Mt. 14:1-13)

b) Jesus and His disciples had withdrawn to a lonely place, after they heard the news. Yet, still the crowds found them and Jesus taught and healed them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. (Mt. 14:13-14 ; Mk. 6:34 ; Lk. 9:11)

c) Towards evening the disciples asked Him about food for the crowd. He asked Philip one of the twelve, what he would do for food for the crowd. (Mt. 14:15 ; Mk. 6:35-36 ; Lk. 9:12 ; Jn. 6:5-6)

d) Jesus told the disciples to feed the crowd. (Mt. 14:16 ; Mk. 6:37 ; Lk. 9:13)

e) Lord, should we spend 200 denari on food. (Mk. 6:37 ; Jn. 6:7)

f) Jesus told them to look and find what food was there. Andrew found a lad with five barley loaves and two fishes. (Mt. 14:17 ; Mk. 6:38 ; Lk. 9:13 ; Jn. 6:8-9) [See Ryrie note on Jn. 6:9- This was some of the cheapest bread made and was used by ordinary folks.]

g) The crowds reclined in groups of fifties and hundreds on the grass. (Mt. 14:19 ; Mk. 6:40 ; Lk. 9:14 ; Jn. 6:10)

h) The Lord blessed the loaves and the fishes and kept giving them to be passed out. (Mt. 14:19 ; Mk. 6:41 ; Lk. 9:16 ; Jn. 6:11)

i) There were twelve full baskets of remains drawn up afterward. (Mt. 14:20 ; Mk. 6:43 ; Lk. 9:17 ; Jn. 6:12-13)

j) There were some 5,000 men fed, along with women and children. (Mt. 14:21 ; Mk. 6:44 ; Lk. 9:14 ; Jn. 6:10)

k) This shows Jesus' compassion for the people and His ability to abundantly provide through the power of the Spirit.

The disciples had the compassion of men who see the need, but to their human thought there seemed but one poor way out of it, namely, in effect to shirk the difficulty by sending the multitudes away. The short way out of a perplexity is generally a very poor affair.

To this day many Christians get no further than leaving the masses to themselves, or to some unknown influences which may turn up. One thing was wise in the disciples, they did bring the matter to Jesus: "When it was evening, his disciples came to him." They represented the place as barren, the time as late, the people as many, their needs as great: they were well posted up in all discouraging matters. The proposed course of action was the one weak point in the representation. Our schemes are for the most part wretched affairs. It is almost a wonder that we dare to state them. Do we forget that our Lord Jesus hears our sorry proposals?

Note the disciples’ word: "The time is now past." We usually think the times are unpropitious for large attempts. As for the position, it is hopeless: "This is a desert place." What can be done here? As for the disciples’ proposal, it was of a kind which is common enough: "Don’t let the people die under our noses, pull down the rookery in the next street, clear out the bad houses from our district." "Send the multitude away."

Or, better still, show the people the dignity of self-help! Talk to them about thrift and emigration. Urge them to go into the villages, and buy themselves victual. This is a favorite nostrum at this day with those who want to save their own loaves and fishes. Our Lord has nobler thoughts than theirs: he will display his royal bounty among the hunger, crowd.

a) Jesus had recently heard that His cousin John the Baptist had been killed. He attempted to go somewhere private, but the crowds found them. Jesus taught the crowds and healed those who needed it. Once again Jesus is trying to get away. Jesus tells the disciples to leave in a boat, and go to Bethsaida. While He stays behind and disperses the crowd. Then He continues up the side of a mountain alone to pray. (Mt. 14:22-23 ; Mk. 6:45-46))

b) In the evening the boat is about three or four miles away. (Mt. 14:24 ; Mk. 6:47 ; Jn. 6:19)

c) Jesus comes walking towards them on the waves, but He intends to go around them. (Mt. 14:25 ; Mk. 6:48)

d) The disciples thought He was a ghost. (Mt. 14:26 ; Mk. 6:49 ; Jn. 6:19)

e) Jesus told them not to be afraid. (Mt. 14:27 ; Mk. 6:50 ; Jn. 6:20)

f) Peter said "If it's you Lord, tell me to come to You and I will". (Mt. 14:28)

g) Jesus told Peter to come, and he got out and started walking. (Mt. 14:29)

h) Peter becomes afraid when he sees the terrible wind blowing. (Mt. 14:30)

i) Jesus stretches out His hand, and grabs hold of Peter. (Mt. 14:31)

j) As soon as they get in the boat the wind stops. (Mt. 14:32 ; Jn. 6:21)

k) They all worship Him saying, surely You are God's Son. (Mt. 14:33)

l) This again demonstrates His power over nature and shows His divine nature.

See related sermon: The Anointing of God - The Peter Principle