Working Mighty Miracles

An angel prophesied of the coming of the Savior in these words to King Benjamin: “For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases” (Mosiah 3:5). The four gospels indeed recount many such instances when the Savior did these miracles. Here are some examples that highlight each of these types of healing that the angel mentioned:

·         “Healing the sick”—Luke described what Jesus did once in Capernaum in these words: “And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them. Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them” (Luke 4:38-40). This shows both the individual and collective ministry; He went personally to Peter’s mother-in-law and healed her from a fever. He also healed everyone that was brought to Him with different sicknesses and showed that He was willing to bless all people.

·         “Raising the dead”—Luke also gave this account of raising a young man from the dead: “And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother” (Luke 7:11-15). One scholar noted the significance of this healing being the “day after” he was in Capernaum: “Luke begins his account by noting that Jesus was in Capernaum the day before and had healed the Centurion’s servant (see Luke 7:1–10). Then we learn that ‘the day after’ (verse 11; emphasis added), the Savior went into a city called Nain, accompanied by a large group of disciples. This sequence is very important. Capernaum is situated on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, 600 feet (183 m) below sea level. Nain is about 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Capernaum at 700 feet (213 m) above sea level, thus requiring an arduous, uphill climb to Nain. In order to walk from Capernaum to Nain, it would have taken at least one or two days. Recently, it took a group of youthful BYU Jerusalem Center students 10 hours to walk this route on paved roads. This means that Jesus probably had to arise very early or possibly even walk during the night in order to intercept the burial procession ‘the day after.’” He made that taxing journey in so short a time so He could be there to raise this young man from the dead, rescuing this woman from not only the pain of losing her son but a likely destitute situation of being without a husband or child to care for her. Jesus indeed showed great compassion for this woman.

·         “Causing the lame to walk”—Matthew recorded another healing that Jesus did in these words: “Behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house” (Matthew 9:2-7). This man could not walk—he was lame—and Jesus gave him not only power again to walk but also the forgiveness of his sins. The story highlights how He can heal us both physically and spiritually.

·         “The blind to receive their sight”—John gave us the account of the man who was born blind and healed in the pool of Siloam. He recounted, “[Jesus] spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.” The Jewish leaders did not want to believe the man when He said that Jesus had healed him, and I love his words when they pressured him over the matter: “Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” He would not back down from his story, and they cast him out. The Savior was aware of this and came to find him: “Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.” (John 9:6-7, 25, 35-38). Jesus showed that He cared deeply about this man, not only healing his vision but also helping to strengthen his faith in the midst of adversity. Jesus showed the man that even if the world rejected him, He would still be with him.

·         “The deaf to hear”—Mark recorded a miracle when Jesus gave hearing back to a deaf man. He wrote, “And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.” I love the words of the people who were “beyond measure astonished” at this miracle: “He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak” (Mark 7:32-37). Indeed, He does “all things well” and has power to do well for us in our lives also through His great love.

·         “Curing all manner of diseases”—Matthew gave this summary of the work He did in Galilee: “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:23-24). He healed “all manner of disease” among the people, just as the angel had prophesied to King Benjamin.

These are only a handful of the many stories that show the incredible power of healing that the Savior had. Throughout His ministry He healed countless numbers of people, witnessing the love He has for all of the children of men. These accounts confirm the words of the angel to King Benjamin and highlight the power He has to also heal and bless us, whatever our ailments are—physical, spiritual, emotional, or otherwise. We give thanks especially on Christmas that Jesus came “with healing in his wings” to bless all of God’s children (2 Nephi 25:13).