Miracles - Healing

Hello there! Let's dive into one of the most amazing parts of Jesus' ministry: Healing Miracles.

Have you ever wondered why the stories of Jesus healing people are so important? They're much more than just cool magic tricks! In this chapter, we'll explore what these healing miracles really mean. We'll look at why Jesus performed them, how people reacted, and what these incredible events teach us about his identity and mission. Don't worry if it seems tricky at first – we'll break it down together!


Why Did Jesus Perform Healing Miracles? The Big Picture

Jesus' miracles weren't random. They were a central part of his work and always had a deeper purpose. Think of them as signposts pointing to who he is. For the HKDSE exam, remember these key reasons:

  • To Show His Power and Authority: The healings showed that Jesus had divine power, not just over sickness, but over everything that is wrong with the world, including sin and suffering.
  • To Show His Compassion: Jesus wasn't just showing off. He genuinely felt sorry for people who were suffering and wanted to help them. Compassion means "to suffer with" someone, and Jesus' actions were driven by love.
  • To Encourage Faith: Often, healing was linked to a person's faith (their trust or belief in Jesus). The miracles helped people to believe in him and his message about the Kingdom of God.
A Quick Review Box: Core Themes

When you analyse any healing miracle, look for these ideas from the syllabus:

1. Jesus' Power: He has the authority to heal.
2. Jesus' Compassion: He is moved by people's suffering.
3. The Role of Faith: The belief of the person asking for healing is often crucial.
4. People's Reactions: How do the crowds and leaders respond? (e.g., amazement, fear, anger).
5. The Hidden Identity (Messianic Secret): Why does Jesus sometimes tell people to keep the miracle a secret?


Let's Look at the Stories from the Gospel of Mark

Story 1: Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy (Mark 1:40-45)

Did you know?

In ancient times, "leprosy" was a term for many skin diseases. People with leprosy were considered "unclean" and were forced to live outside the city. They were social outcasts, completely cut off from their families, friends, and religious life. Touching a leper would make you "unclean" too.

The Story Step-by-Step
  1. The Situation: A man with leprosy breaks the rules and comes directly to Jesus. He kneels and says, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." This shows amazing faith – he doesn't doubt Jesus' ability, only his willingness.
  2. The Action: The syllabus highlights Jesus' compassion. He is "filled with compassion," reaches out, and does the unthinkable – he touches the man. He then says, "I am willing. Be clean!"
  3. The Result & Meaning: The man is instantly healed! Jesus not only heals his body but also restores his place in society. But then, Jesus gives a strong warning: "See that you don't tell this to anyone." This is a key example of the Messianic Secret.
What does this miracle teach us?
  • Compassion over Rules: Jesus broke social and religious rules (by touching the leper) because his love for the person was more important.
  • Power over Disease and Uncleanliness: Jesus' power is so great that instead of the man's "uncleanliness" spreading to him, his "cleanliness" and power spread to the man.
  • Hidden Identity: Jesus didn't want to become famous as just a "wonder-worker" or a political king. He wanted people to understand his true mission, which would lead to the cross.

Story 2: The Man with a Paralysed Hand (Mark 3:1-6)

The Story Step-by-Step
  1. The Situation: It's the Sabbath (the day of rest), and Jesus is in the synagogue. His enemies, the Pharisees, are watching him closely. They want to see if he will break the Sabbath law by healing someone, so they can accuse him.
  2. The Action: Jesus knows what they're thinking. He calls the man forward and asks a powerful question: "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" The Pharisees remain silent. Jesus, angry and distressed by their stubborn hearts, tells the man, "Stretch out your hand."
  3. The Result & Meaning: The man's hand is completely restored. This miracle isn't just about healing; it's a direct challenge to the religious leaders.
What does this miracle teach us?
  • Shows Different Reactions: While the man is healed, the Pharisees don't celebrate. Instead, they become so angry that they go out and begin to plot with their enemies (the Herodians) to kill Jesus. This shows how the miracles divided people.
  • Highlights Jesus' Authority: Jesus shows he has authority over the Sabbath law. He teaches that doing good and helping people is the true purpose of the law.
  • Demonstrates Power: The healing is effortless. A simple command is all it takes, showing his divine power.

Story 3: Jairus' Daughter and the Woman Who Touched Jesus' Cloak (Mark 5:22-43)

This is a "story within a story" and is a fantastic example of the importance of faith!

The Story Step-by-Step
  1. The Situation (Part 1): Jairus, a synagogue leader, begs Jesus to come and heal his dying 12-year-old daughter. He shows great faith by falling at Jesus' feet. Jesus agrees to go.
  2. The Situation (Part 2): In the crowd, there is a woman who has been bleeding for 12 years. She is also an outcast, considered "unclean." She thinks, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed." This is her act of desperate faith.
  3. The Action: She touches his cloak and is instantly healed! Jesus feels power go out from him and asks, "Who touched me?" The woman comes forward, trembling, and tells him the truth. Jesus comforts her, saying, "Daughter, your faith has healed you."
  4. The Result & Meaning: Just then, people arrive to say Jairus' daughter has died. But Jesus tells him, "Don't be afraid; just believe." He goes to the house, takes the dead girl by the hand, and says, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!" She immediately stands up and walks around. Again, Jesus gives strict orders not to tell anyone.
What does this miracle teach us?
  • FAITH is the Key: Both Jairus and the woman are healed because of their faith. The syllabus emphasizes this. The woman's faith was active and courageous, while Jairus had to keep believing even when he was told it was too late.
  • Jesus' Power over Sickness AND Death: This story shows Jesus' authority over chronic illness (the woman) and even death itself (the girl).
  • Compassion for All: He stops for the "unimportant" suffering woman even when on an "important" mission to help a community leader. Everyone matters to him.

Story 4: A Woman's Great Faith (The Syrophoenician Woman, Mark 7:24-30)

Did you know?

This woman was a Gentile (non-Jewish). Many Jews at the time viewed Gentiles as "dogs" or outsiders who were not part of God's chosen people. This story is shocking because Jesus helps someone from outside his own community.

The Story Step-by-Step
  1. The Situation: Jesus is in a Gentile region, trying to rest. A Greek woman, born in Syrian Phoenicia, finds him and begs him to heal her daughter who is possessed by an evil spirit.
  2. The Action: Jesus tests her with a harsh-sounding analogy: "First let the children eat all they want, for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs." (The "children" are the Jews, and "dogs" are the Gentiles).
  3. The Result & Meaning: Instead of getting angry, the woman shows amazing wit and persistent faith. She replies, "Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." Jesus is so impressed by her answer that he tells her the demon has left her daughter. She goes home and finds her daughter healed.
What does this miracle teach us?
  • The Power of Persistent Faith: The woman refused to give up. Her faith was strong enough to overcome a social barrier and a difficult test.
  • Jesus' Mission is for Everyone: This miracle shows that Jesus' compassion and power are not just for the Jews, but for all people who have faith in him.
  • Focus on Faith, Not Status: Jesus responds to the quality of her faith, not her ethnicity or social standing.

Let's Wrap It Up: Key Takeaways

So, what have we learned? Jesus' healing miracles are powerful demonstrations of who he is and what the Kingdom of God is like.

  • They show his divine power over sickness, evil, and even death.
  • They are always motivated by deep compassion for suffering people.
  • They almost always involve the faith of the person being healed or the person asking for healing.
  • They caused different reactions – from joy and faith to anger and deadly plots.
  • Jesus often tried to keep his identity hidden (the Messianic Secret) to ensure people understood his true purpose was not to be a political king, but a suffering saviour.
Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Just retelling the story.
For a good grade, you MUST explain the MEANING of the story. Always link it back to the key themes: Power, Compassion, Faith, Reactions, and Hidden Identity.

Mistake #2: Thinking all miracles are the same.
Each story has a unique focus. The leper story highlights compassion and rules. The paralysed hand story highlights conflict. The story of Jairus' daughter highlights faith over death. Be specific!


You've got this! Keep reviewing these stories and their deeper meanings, and you'll be well-prepared to tackle any question on Jesus' healing miracles.