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Bible Study 3

A man pleaded with Jesus to save his daughter. What did Jesus require of this man before his daughter could be raised from the dead?

Luke 8: 49-54 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher any more.” Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat.

God requires that we have faith in order that we may receive what we have prayed for.

(James 1:6-7 NIV) But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

The Bible recorded many miracles of Jesus. Do you think the Quran also teaches that Jesus was a miracle worker?

(Mat 9:35 NIV)  Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.

In the Quran, Jesus was also accredited with many miracles.

Jesus spoke in childhood (Surah 5:113)

Jesus gave life to a clay bird (Surah 3:49)

And I heal those born blind, and the lepers, and I quicken the dead, by Allah’s leave; and I declare to you what ye eat, and what ye store in your houses. Surely therein is a Sign for you if ye did believe; (Surah 3:49)

Are the miracles of Jesus different from the miracles of other messengers of God. For example, other people sent by God were also able to raise the dead?

We see a very important difference between how Jesus and how other men of God raise people from the dead.

Elijah raised the widow’s son (1 Kings 18:21).

Elisha raised the Shunammite’s son (2 Kings 4:18-37).

Peter raised Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead (Acts 9:36-41).

The other people prayed to God to raise the dead. Jesus did not have to. He commanded the dead to rise up. Jesus could do that because He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

(John 14:6 NIV) Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Unlike other prophets who show people the way, teach people about the truth and tell them about how to obtain (eternal) life, Jesus declares that he IS the way, the truth and the life.

According to Jesus, should we be sad when people treat us badly because of our faith in him?

Luke 6:22-23 Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.

No, Jesus says that we should rejoice because our reward is great in heaven. Therefore we should not be resentful towards people who treat us badly because of our faith.

According to Jesus, how should we treat our enemies?

Luke 6:27-28 “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

We should love our enemies. Do good to those who hate us. Bless those who curse us.

“turn the other cheek” – Does that mean Christians should allow physical harm to come upon himself? Is this verse meant to be interpreted literally?

(Luke 6:29-30 NIV) If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.

There is a parallel passage to this verse in the book of Matthew that illustrates the point more clearly.

(Matthew 5:39 NIV) If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.

What do you think the right cheek is used in this illustration and not the left cheek?

This verse is not meant to be interpreted literally or used to teach that we should not protect ourselves from physical harm.

Jesus used the illustration of being slapped on the cheek as an example of insult. Being slapped on the cheek does not cause much physical damage and is more of an insult.

The Jews never slaps anyone with the left hand because it is the hand for doing “unclean” things (e.g. in the toilet). The only way for them to strike someone on the right cheek with the right hand is when slapping is done with the back of the hand, as an insult. Jesus is therefore teaching the principle that when we are insulted, we are to bear it without retaliation.

The Bible contains examples of protecting ourselves from physical harm.

(Matthew 12:14-15 NIV) But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place.

When Paul heard about potential threats to his life, he asked the Roman government to protect him.

(Acts 23:16-24 NIV) But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” So he took him to the commander. The centurion said, “Paul, the prisoner, sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.” The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?” He said: “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him. Don’t give in to them, because more than forty of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request.” The commander dismissed the young man with this warning: “Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.” Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight. Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”