NT Come Follow Me- Individual-Mar 3- 9

“Thy Faith Hath Made Thee Whole”

Matthew 8–9; Mark 2; 5

What does the account teach about faith? What does the account teach about the Savior? What does God want me to learn from this miracle?

A leper (Matthew 8:1–4) Leprosy is a contagious, infectious disease which affects the skin, particularly the nose, face, hands, and feet, etc. The lesions are unsightly raised scaly lesions which often drain infected fluid. In its latest stages, fingers, toes and portions of the face can be eaten away and fall off. The disease is disfiguring and unmerciful in that the individual suffers for decades or years, usually dying of some other ailment. Leprosy is still present today, affecting millions in poor tropical countries.

Among the Jews, leprosy became a dreaded plague. The leper, once pronounced unclean by a priest, was to be an outcast, 'his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean. All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp' (Lev 13:45-46). The leper's uncleanness became a metaphor for spiritual uncleanness and he was to stay without the camp lest he infect the others. "The leper, thus fearfully bearing about the body the outward and visible tokens of sin in the soul, was treated throughout as a sinner, as one in whom sin had reached its climax, as one dead in trespasses and sins, He was himself a dreadful parable of death. He bore about him the emblems of death (Lev. 13:45); the rent garments, mourning for himself as one dead; the head bare as they were wont to have it who were defiled by communion with the dead (Num. 6:9; Ezek, 24:27); and the lip covered (Ezek. 24:17)...But the leper was as one dead, and as such was shut out of the camp, and the city." (Jesus the Christ, p. 187) Christ's healing of this leper, then, is symbolic of the Master's power over both physical disease and spiritual disease. He could make the leper clean and the sinner whole. It is also an example of his interest in and love for the most despised and downtrodden of mankind.

My Thoughts:

What Others have to say:

Matthew's main purpose in his gospel is to convince the Jews that Jesus is the Christ, in fulfillment of the Law of Moses. Accordingly, He demonstrates how Christ's instructions conformed perfectly to the ancient law.

In the rare circumstance that leprosy should go into remission, there was provision in the Law of Moses for the individual to be cleansed ceremonially and return to a normal life. The process involved an 8-day cleansing in which the individual offered two birds, the blood of one was taken and sprinkled on the leper. All body hair had to be shaved, the body and clothes cleaned. A week later, the individual could return to the priest. The priest would then offer a sin offering of two lambs or, if poor, one lamb and two birds. Once the atoning blood and ceremonial oil were anointed, the individual was clean (Lev 14). The cleansing process involved water, oil (symbolic of the Spirit) and blood, 'For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified' (Moses 6:60).

Thomas S. Monson

"My thoughts turned backward in time-back to the Holy Land; back to Him who on that special mountain taught His disciples the true spirit of giving when He counseled, 'Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them. . . . When thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.' (Matthew 6:1, 3.)

"Then, as though to indelibly impress on their souls the practical application of this sacred truth, He came down from the mountain with a great multitude following Him. 'And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man.' (Matthew 8:2-4.)

"The word anonymous had a precious meaning then. It still has." (Live the Good Life, 28.)

Dean L. Larsen

"We have a perfect model to follow in the Savior himself. He had great power that he could have used to compel people to follow him and to be obedient to his word. Occasionally he demonstrated this power in miraculous ways, but never with the intent to command a following. It was not uncommon for him to ask of those who had been the recipients of his marvelous power to keep the matter to themselves and tell no one. Such was the case with the leper whom Jesus healed. 'See thou tell no man' (Matt. 8:4) was the Savior's charge in this case. It was almost as though he feared that men would follow him because of his power rather than as a result of having learned his truths and having valued them because they were true." ("Let Your Light So Shine," Ensign, Sept. 1981, 21)

A centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5–13)

My Thoughts

 

What others have said:

James E. Talmage taught, "Both Matthew and Luke tell us that Jesus marveled at the faith shown by the centurion, who begged that his beloved servant be healed (Matt. 8:10; Luke 7:9). Some have queried how Christ, whom they consider to have been omniscient during His life in the flesh, could have marveled at anything." (Jesus the Christ, p. 260.) The Joseph Smith Translation changes this to clarify that it was not Christ who marveled. Yet, it seems that Christ could still be impressed without diminishing his omniscience. Elder Talmage continues, "The meaning of the passage is evident in the sense that when the fact of the centurion's faith was brought to His attention, He pondered over it, and contemplated it, probably as a refreshing contrast to the absence of faith He so generally encountered. In similar way, though with sorrow in place of joy, He is said to have marveled at the people's unbelief (Mark 6:6)." (Jesus the Christ, p. 260.)

Peter’s mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14–15)

My Thoughts:

What Others have Said:

Robert L Millet

"The miracles performed by Jesus were an important part of his earthly ministry. He used miracles to show compassion, to teach, to inspire, to motivate, and to testify that he was the true Messiah. After his death and resurrection, his disciples continued to perform miracles and to testify that he was the Messiah, the Son of God who had come in power and authority. The Gospel writers used his miracles to testify that he had power over all enemies. The healing of the leper, the centurion's servant, and Peter's mother-in-law testified that his power extends to persons of all nations, both Jew and Gentile. The calming of the sea extended his power to include power over nature and the elements. Casting out the unclean spirits testified of his power over devils and all evil... For individuals in all generations, accounts of the miracles reveal the power of Jesus over all enemies and testify that he was the Son of God and that he had sufficient power to perform the Atonement and bring immortality and the possibility of eternal life to all men." (Rex C. Reeve, Jr., Studies in Scripture, Vol. 5: The Gospels, ed by Kent P. Jackson and Robert L. Millet, 226.)

Two blind men (Matthew 9:27–31)

My Thoughts:

What Others have Said:

Howard W. Hunter
"Faith is the most powerful force in transforming human nature. As man's thoughts turn to God and the things that pertain to God, man undergoes a spiritual transformation. It lifts him from the commonplace and gives to him a noble and Godlike character. If we have faith in God, we are using one of the great laws of life. The most powerful force in human nature is the spiritual power of faith. Jesus said: 'According to your faith be it unto you' (Matthew 9:29). (The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, 29.)

A man who was paralyzed (Mark 2:1–12)

My Thoughts:

What Others have said:

A man possessed by evil spirits (Mark 5:1–20)

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What Others have said:

Bruce R. McConkie
"Our Lord's true identity is known to unclean spirits. Mortal men may profess not to know of his divinity, but there is no doubt in the minds of the devils in hell. They remember him from their pre-existent association. They know he was foreordained to be the Redeemer, that he was born into the world as the literal offspring of the Father, and that their course in opposing him is one in open rebellion against Deity." (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1: 314.)

These devils live in fear of Christ and his power. Interestingly, they know their future as well as they remember their past. They are concerned about an appointed torment at an appointed time. Most likely, they were referring to the final judgment when the devil and his angels are forever cast off, 'the devil and his angels . . . shall go away into everlasting fire; prepared for them; and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever and has no end.' (2 Ne 9:16) The "appointed time" comes after the short season when Satan is loosed again, 'And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever' (Rev 20:10).

Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:22–23, 35–43)

My Thoughts

What Others have said:

Howard W. Hunter
"Matthew doesn't give the name of this chief elder, but Mark identifies him by adding to his title the words, 'Jairus by name.' Nowhere else in the scriptures does this man or his name appear except on this occasion, yet his memory lives in history because of a brief contact with Jesus. Many, many lives have become memorable that otherwise would have been lost in obscurity had it not been for the touch of the Master's hand that made a significant change of thought and action and a new and better life.

"'And when he saw him [that is, when Jairus saw Jesus], he fell at his feet.'

"This was an unusual circumstance for a man of rank and prestige, a ruler of the synagogue, to kneel at Jesus' feet-at the feet of one considered to be an itinerant teacher with the gift of healing. Many others of learning and prestige saw Jesus also but ignored him. Their minds were closed. Today is no different; obstacles stand in the way of many to accept him." ("Reading the Scriptures," Ensign, Nov. 1979, 65)

A woman with an issue of blood (Mark 5:24–34)

My Thoughts:

What Others have said:

For a woman to have a constant issue of blood was a stigma of uncleanliness. According to the Law of Moses, when a woman had an issue of blood, she was considered ceremonially unclean for 14 days (Lev. 15:19-28). Should anyone even touch a portion of her clothing, they were considered unclean for that day. Therefore, this woman must have been unclean according to the Law of Moses for 12 consecutive years. In 12 long years, she would not have been able to perform the rites of purification necessary to be made clean before the Lord.

When Christ healed this poor woman, he didn't just heal a disease, he didn't just cure a physical malady, he made clean that which was unclean. Symbolically, what is made unclean by the law can be made clean by the Savior. Even though this woman was not guilty of any particular sin, this healing is still symbolic of Christ's power over sin. If sin comes by the law, then redemption from sin comes from Christ (Rom. 3:20). As Christ redeemed this woman from the curse of her affliction, so he has 'redeemed us from the curse of the law' (Gal 3:13). Forevermore, she could rejoice, as did Paul saying, 'Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do...God [in] sending his own Son' (Rom 8:2) hath made me free from the curse of the law.

Matthew 8:5–13; Mark 5:24–34

I can seek God’s help even if I feel undeserving.

What do you learn from these two accounts about seeking help from the Lord?

Matthew 8:18–22; Mark 3:31–35

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ means that I put Him first in my life.

Why must disciples be willing to put the Savior first?

My Thoughts:

What Others have said:

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Discipleship is the pursuit of holiness and happiness. It is the path to our best and happiest self. “Of Regrets and Resolutions Oct 2012

Quentin L Cook

The Prophet Joseph pointed out that before your baptism, you could be on neutral ground between good and evil. But “when you joined this Church you enlisted to serve God. When you did that you left the neutral ground, and you never can [go] back.” His counsel was that we must never forsake the Master. 12  , October 2012 General Conference

What might you need to give up in order to put Jesus first? (See also Luke 9:57–62.)

Matthew 8:23–27; Mark 4:35–41

Jesus Christ has power to bring peace in the midst of life’s storms.

Richard G Scott

The peace that the Master has promised is much more than the absence of strife, turmoil, conflict, and contention. Its greatest blessing is realized in the life of an individual. Its absence is also felt most profoundly in the human mind and heart. “Finding Peace, Happiness, and Joy.”

The feeling of peace is the most common confirming witness that I personally experience. “Finding Peace, Happiness, and Joy.”

God wants each of His children to enjoy the transcendent blessing of peace of conscience. A tranquil conscience invites freedom from anguish, sorrow, guilt, shame, and self-condemnation. It provides a foundation for happiness. It is a condition of immense worth, yet few on earth enjoy it. Why? Most often because the principles upon which peace of conscience is founded are not understood or adequately followed. “Finding Peace, Happiness, and Joy.”

Marvin J Ashton

Certainly peace is the opposite of fear. Peace is a blessing that comes to those who
trust in God. It is established through individual righteousness. True personal peace
comes about through eternal vigilance and constant righteous efforts. No man can be at
peace who is untrue to his better self. No man can have lasting peace who is living a
lie. Peace can never come to the transgressor of the law. Commitment to God’s laws
is the basis for peace. Peace is something we earn. It is not a gift. Rather, it is a
possession earned by those who love God and work to achieve the blessings of
peace. It is not a written document. It is something that must come from within.
 “Peace—A Triumph of Principles,” Ensign, Nov. 1985, 69
 

Joseph B. Wirthlin

The value of peace within our hearts cannot be measured. When we are at peace, we
can be free of worry and fear, knowing that with the Lord’s help, we can do all that is
expected or required of us. We can approach every day, every task, and every
challenge with assurance and confidence in the outcome. We have freedom of thought
and action, freedom to be happy. Even those incarcerated for lengthy periods of time
as war prisoners can be at peace in their own minds. Many of them have learned from
their captors that they cannot deprive them of freedom to think, even when the most
harsh limitations are imposed. Few, if any, blessings from God are more valuable to
our spiritual health than the reward of peace within. In modern-day revelation the
Savior said, “But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his
reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.” (D&C
59:23.)
“Peace Within,” Ensign, May 1991, 36

David O. McKay said, “The peace of Christ does not come by seeking the
superficial things of life, neither does it come except as it springs from the individual’s
heart.” He said further that this peace is “conditioned upon obedience to the principles
of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. … No man is at peace with himself or his God who is
untrue to his better self, who transgresses the law of what is right either in dealing with
himself by indulging in passion, in appetite, yielding to temptations against his accusing
conscience, or in dealing with his fellowmen, being untrue to their trust. Peace does
not come to the transgressor of law; peace comes by obedience to law, and it is that
message which Jesus would have us proclaim among men.” (in Conference Report,
Oct. 1938, p. 133.)

“Mankind … must determine to travel in company with the
one or the other. The reward for following the one is the fruit of the Spirit—peace.
The reward for following the other is the works of the flesh—the antithesis of peace.”
Further, he said: “The price of peace is victory over Satan.” (Ensign, Oct. 1983, pp.
4, 5.) We can know which one to follow because God has given everyone the Spirit of
Christ to know good from evil and to protect themselves from sin. (See Moro.
7:15-18.) We sometimes refer to the Spirit of Christ as our conscience. If we follow
its promptings, we can be free of sin and filled with peace. If we do not, but instead let
our carnal appetites control us, we never will know true peace. We will be tossed
“like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest. … there is no peace, saith … God, to the
wicked.” (Isa. 57:20-21.) If we damage or violate our conscience by ignoring it, we
can lose that gift because we no longer are sensitive to it. We will be beyond feeling,
beyond the influence of that Spirit. (See 1 Ne. 17:45; Eph. 4:19.)

 Marion G. Romney

Though we abhor war, peace nearly always has been more a dream than a reality.
During most of the world’s history, strife, dissension, and conflict have flourished and
displaced peace. The times when peace has reigned, it began in the hearts of
righteous, obedient individuals and grew until it engulfed a society. We have at least
two scriptural accounts of periods of absolute peace and a third that is yet to come.
(See, Ensign, Oct. 1983, p. 5.)
 

Dennis E. Simmons

It should be noted that Jesus promised His peace—not the peace that the world
gives. The world cries out for freedom from war, from violence, from oppression, from
injustice, from contention, from disease and distress. That the Savior did not expect
such worldly peace is clear from His concluding remark as He finished His special
teaching to His Apostles: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might
have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have
overcome the world” (John 16:33; emphasis added).

In mortality tribulation would continue. But in the midst of that tribulation His followers
would have peace in Him. In other words, even if all the world is crumbling around us,
the promised Comforter will provide His peace as a result of true discipleship.
Ultimate total peace will come, of course, because He overcame the world. But we
can have His peace with us irrespective of the troubles of the world. His peace is that
peace, that serenity, that comfort spoken to our hearts and minds by the Comforter,
the Holy Ghost, as we strive to follow Him and keep His commandments.
, “His Peace,” Ensign, May 1997

Matthew 9:1–13; Mark 2:15–17

I can defend my beliefs by teaching true principles.

 How could following His example help you if you have to defend a gospel principle or Church practice?

Matthew 9:1–8

Because of repentance, I can be of good cheer.

Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Family Home Evening

Matthew 8–9; Mark 2; 5

Matthew 9:10–13

What do we learn from the way the Savior treated the publicans and sinners, who were shunned by others?

My Thoughts:

How can we follow His example as we interact with other people?

My Thoughts

Matthew 9:36–38

How can you help your family understand the Savior’s plea for more laborers to help share the gospel?

What can we do to share the message of the gospel?

Mark 4:35–41

Could this account help family members when they feel afraid?