Dispensation Bible Study #12

Approaching Grace - Jesus’ Second Year of Ministry - Middle Galilean Period

After four months of ministry in Galilee, Jesus journeyed to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. He then returned to Galilee to minister for 10 more months. This period, the culmination of His second year of Ministry, is referred to as the Middle Galilean Period. The vast majority of the Gospels (except for John) deal with this period so we will only be able to mention the highlights. During this ministry, Jesus made His headquarters in Capernaum and always returned their after each phase. The phases of the Middle Galilean Period are Near the Sea, Throughout Galilee, By the Sea, Throughout Galilee, By the Sea.

Mark 3:7-11 But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea, 8 And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him. 9 And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him. 10 For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues. 11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.

Jesus’ return to Galilee was marked by great crowds following His every move. People from all over Israel had seen the miracles at the Passover, and many had followed Him into Galilee. The majority of Jesus’ miracles were done in this time of popularity.

Mark 3:13-19 And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. 14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, 15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: 16 And Simon he surnamed Peter; 17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: 18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite, 19 And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.

Jesus now ordains (meaning to officially invest with power or authority) twelve of His disciples so that they can have power to heal sicknesses and cast out evil spirits. The twelve are Simon Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew (Levi), Thomas, James the Lesser, Thaddaeus, Simon, and Judas Iscariot.

Luke 6:17-20 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; 18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. 19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. 20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

Immediately after ordaining the twelve, Jesus began to teach them and the people so that they would better understand the kingdom that He introducing. This famous sermon is referred to as the “Sermon on the Mount.” It was given on a flat place on a mountain somewhere near Capernaum. The entire sermon can be read in Luke 6:17-49, and in Matthew chapters 5-7.

Luke 7:1-3, 6-7, 9-10 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. 2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. 3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. 6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: 7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

Upon returning to Capernaum, Jesus is approached by a centurion’s servant. A centurion was a commander of 100 men in the Roman Army. The centurion understood authority and understood that Jesus had it. When Jesus heard His request to just “speak the word” He marveled that no one in Israel had this much faith. Jesus’ response to great faith is always the same: a miracle. Notice that even some of the Roman army knows about Jesus and respects Him by now.

Luke 7:11-17 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. 12 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. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. 16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. 17 And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.

Jesus then began to minister throughout Galilee. Upon entering the city of Nain, He came upon a funeral procession. Even death did not deter the Messiah, as Jesus promptly raised the boy! Because of mighty works like this, Jesus was unable to travel anywhere without a crowd.

Luke 7:36-39 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

While in the City of Nain, Jesus was invited to eat at a Pharisee’s house. While He was there, a woman brought an alabaster box of ointment and anointed Jesus’ feet in worship. The Pharisee knew that the woman as a sinner and were offended, but Jesus responded to the woman’s worship, faith, and sacrifice; using the opportunity to teach the Pharisee a lesson in forgiveness and sincerity.

Luke 7:44-48 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

Jesus was anointed by a woman with an alabaster box on two separate occasions. Many have thought that the incidences are the same, but the first incident recorded here in Luke took place in Jesus’ second year of ministry in Galilee in or nearby the city of Nain. The woman here was a sinner, and Jesus’ response was to forgive her sins and teach the Pharisee an object lesson. The second incident happened in Jesus’ third year of ministry prior to His death and trial, and was not by a sinner but by Mary, Lazarus’s sister. It was in the home of a Simon also, but this was a different Simon from the first story and was the father of Judas Iscariot. Jesus’ response was that Mary had anointed His body for burial and no object lesson was given. Because the home in which each story takes place was the house of someone named Simon, many have thought that these were the same incident, but they happened a little over a year apart and in towns over 100 miles from each other! When you consider that Simon was such a common name in that day that two of Jesus’s twelve disciples had it, (as well as two disciples named James and two named Judas), then such an coincidence is not really remarkable.

Luke 8:1-3 And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, 2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, 3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

Jesus then returned to Capernaum and began a preaching tour. Notice that the Bible states that the twelve were with Him, this implies that the twelve were not always accompanying Him but were off preaching and performing miracles as they had been commissioned to do. A woman named Mary Magdalene had also been healed at this time and was following Christ, as well as a few other notable women. Notice verse 3 says that they ministered unto him of their substance. How was Jesus and His disciples eating and living without working jobs? Because of other people’s support.

Matt 13:1-3 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

Jesus then returned to the shores of the Sea of Galilee and when He saw that great multitudes had gathered together, He began to teach. Jesus did so by sitting in a boat with the multitudes on the shore. Anyone who has ever been on a lake or body of water knows that water causes the human voice to carry farther than normal. In this way Jesus was able to teach vast multitudes of people without straining His voice. Jesus used stories (called parables) of familiar earthly events to teach spiritual principles. Time will not permit us to cover all of the parables but the parables taught at this teaching were the parables of the Sower, Candle and bushel, Growing seed, Tares, Mustard seed, Leaven, Hidden treasure, Pearl of great price, Fishnet, and Householder. They are recorded in Matthew 13:1-53, Mark 4:1-34, and Luke 8:4-18. John, who was the only one to record Jesus’ first year ministry, did not extensively record this period because the other gospels had already been written by the time that John wrote his gospel.

Mark 4:35-41 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

After teaching the multitudes, Jesus told His disciples that He wanted to pass to the other side of the sea. The Sea of Galilee is about 7 miles across and gets about 600 feet deep, but this should not have been a problem for fishermen who have lived on and around the lake their entire lives. When a storm came up, though, the disciples became afraid and woke Jesus up (He was asleep!). Jesus spoke to the storm causing it to cease and then also calmed the waves and wind. Creation responded to it’s Creator! Notice that the disciples still do not completely understand exactly who Jesus is. Miracles and diseases, yes. Even demons subject to Him, Yes. But nature also obeys His command?!?

Luke 8:26-33 And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. 27 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not. 29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) 30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. 31 And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. 32 And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them. 33 Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.

After going across the sea, Jesus was immediately met by a devil-possessed man. Notice that the spirits immediately knew who Jesus was. Jesus commanded the many demons to leave the man, and go into pigs that were nearby. The pigs drown themselves in the lake rather than have the legion of devils to possess them.

Luke 8:34-37 When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. 36 They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed. 37 Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.

The demoniac was known throughout all of the land, and when the feeders of the pigs told the city what they had witnessed, the entire countryside came to see for themselves. Upon arriving at the sea, they found the demoniac cured, clothed, and having a conversation with Jesus! Rather than worship Jesus, they became fearful, and asked Him to leave.

Luke 8:38-40 Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him. 40 And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.

The healed man would have also left, except that Jesus sent him away to tell of the good things that had been done in his life. Notice that when Jesus left, the crowds of the region were fearful of Jesus. When Jesus later returned, the “people gladly received him.” What a difference a personal testimony of someone who was touched by Jesus can make!

Mark 5:21-24 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. 22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, 23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. 24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

Jesus returned to the other side of the sea back to the city of Capernaum (Matthew 5:1). Back at His “headquarters,” Jesus was immediately met by Jarius whose daughter was dying. As Jesus and the crowds began to follow Jarius back to his house, another miracle occured.

Mark 5:25-34 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,

26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. 29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? 31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

This much preached story is of the woman who was healed by touching the hem of Jesus’ garment. She had tried doctors, and everything that man could do, but when she touched Jesus, she was immediately healed. The disciples also learned the difference between touching Jesus and touching Jesus with Faith.

Mark 5:35-42 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? 36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. 37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. 38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. 39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. 40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. 41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. 42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

While Jesus was speaking with the woman who was healed, news of Jarius’ daughter’s death arrived. Once again, Jesus did not let death stop him but continued on into the house where He raised up the twelve-year-old girl. Notice that only three disciples--Peter, James, and John--were allowed to witness this miracle. These three would become known as the inner circle; the leaders within the disciples.

Matt 9:27-33 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us. 28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. 29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. 30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. 31 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country. 32 As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil. 33 And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.

Jesus performed two more miracles while in Capernaum: the healing of two blind men, and the healing of a man who was dumb (could not speak) and possessed. Both prove that the prerequisite to a miracle is having faith! Notice the dumb man could not express faith himself, but Jesus rewarded the faith of those that brought him. The fame of the Messiah was reaching an apex, and by now there were very few people who had not heard of the miracles and teaching of this Man from Nazareth.

Mark 6:1-6 And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. 2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. 4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. 5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. 6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

This is the second time that the people of Nazareth (Jesus’ home town) rejected Jesus. Because of their unbelief, He could not do no “mighty work.” Once again Jesus wanted to bless the ones He loved the most, and could not, because of lack of faith.

Mark 6:7, 12-13 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; 12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent. 13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

After briefly ministering thoughout Galilee (Matthew 9:35-38), Jesus then sent out his disciples two by two to help minister. Notice that the disciples anointed the sick with oil, a practice no doubt taught by Jesus but not recorded.

Matt 11:1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.

After sending out His disciples, Jesus then continued ministering and preaching alone for several weeks. How many miracles He must have performed that are not recorded!

Luke 9:10-11 And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

Jesus and the apostles joined back together at Capernaum and then journeyed to a place near Bethsaida where they could talk privately. The people of the region, however, found them, and Jesus began to teach them.

Luke 9:12-17 And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place. 13 But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people. 14 For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. 15 And they did so, and made them all sit down. 16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. 17 And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

Rather than send the multitudes away, Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000 men (not including the women and children) from just five loaves of bread and two fishes!

John 6:14-15 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. 15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

This is a turning point in Jesus’ ministry. Jesus had come to be a king, but a spiritual one. It was not time for Jesus to become a political king for He first must pay the awful price for sin and fulfill the law. After so many months of ministering in Galilee, though, the people missed the point. Jesus’ teaching would become bolder and more direct.

Matt 14:23-33 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

Before going up the mountain to pray alone, Jesus commands His disciples to cross the sea. Jesus catches up by walking upon the water! Once again nature obeys it’s Creator! Peter moved with faith, asks if he can also walk on the water. He does at first but then begins to doubt, looking at the wind rather than the Creator of the wind! Jesus saves him and when they return to the boat notice the response of the disciples on the ship!

Matt 14:34-36 And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;

36 And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

Jesus once again begins to heal many people. Notice the method of healing: no doubt the story of the woman with the issue of blood has become well known, even across the sea!

John 6:59-69 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? 61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? 62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. 65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. 66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

Many people had followed Christ because of His powerful miracles, but toward the latter half of His second year of ministry, He began to teach more. The miracles served to show that He was who He said He was, but the teachings revealed what He was come to do. The Jews were still under Roman Rule and resented being controlled by Gentiles. They believed that the Messiah would stamp out the Romans and pronounce Himself King. They missed the point. Jesus had come to set up a kingdom, but the kingdom was in the hearts of men. As Jesus progressed toward His third year of ministry, His teachings revealed more of His true purpose. As people realized that Jesus’ ministry was calling for them to change and not their surroundings, many disciples forsook Him. Notice how Simon Peter answered Jesus when He asked if the twelve would too forsake Him. “Lord” indicates that Simon Peter recognized that this was indeed God in Flesh. Peter also did not mention the miracles but Jesus’ teachings as having the key to eternal life. Which category do you fit into today? Do you follow Jesus because of the power and miracles that are there, or are you diligently searching His word’s to find eternal life?