When is the stated story, not the whole story? An assignment to complete.

Mark Virkler's picture

When I read in the Gospels that Jesus healed, I assume that is the entire story because that is what is stated. I suppose that Jesus spoke or laid on hands or whatever, and the person was immediately healed. Well, that is not necessarily the case. The Gospel writers were cramming a 33-year life into a few short chapters, so chances are good that details have been left out.

Let’s explore the story of the crucifixion, for example. To answer the questions below you may want to chart all details mentioned in each of the four Gospels and then note what each Gospel writer added or skipped as they tell the story.

  • Matthew’s version of what happened at the crucifixion is recorded in Matthew 27:32-52. Please read it and list each main detail. So, you would think this is the whole story, right?
  • Mark’s version of what happened at the crucifixion is recorded in Mark 15:21-41. What new details do we discover?
  • Luke’s version of what happened at the crucifixion is recorded in Luke 23:32-49. What new details do we discover?
  • John’s version of what happened at the crucifixion is recorded in John 19:16-37. What new details do we discover?

Now that you see the fuller story, does it help you see that these abbreviated accounts in the Gospels are only a portion of all that happened? Each author is only putting in the details they sense are important for their readers to read, and each Gospel is written to a different audience. When you put them all together, do you get a fuller picture of the crucifixion event? Do you think that there may still be details beyond what the four Gospel writers describe?

Should I assume this same principle is true when it says, “Jesus healed everyone”? Would it be wise to understand that statement as a summary of what happened and that there is a lot of detail being left out? Does that statement tell how long it took for each person to be healed? Does it detail if part of the healing was instantaneous, and part appeared the next day or the next week? Does it explain the exact approach Jesus took in healing them? Does it describe if Jesus used different methods with different people? Should I be making assumptions when there are no details to back them up?

Journaling question

Lord, what do You want to speak to me concerning the stories I read in the Bible? How am I to look at them? How am I to understand them? Can I understand them through my reasoning alone, or do I need Your revelation? Do I need You to "open Scriptures to me" just as You did the disciples on the Emmaus Road?

Part 2 of this topic is here: https://www.cwgministries.org/blogs/when-stated-story-not-whole-story-al...

Related Resources: 

How to Hear God's Voice!   How to Master Your Bible!   
Add new comment

Add new comment

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Results

Results 291 - 300 of 488

Pages

Naturally Supernatural Video Download Package

Naturally Supernatural Video Download Package

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 2 Books | 13 Video Sessions

Now with Revised & Expanded 30th Anniversary Edition Videos!

Until September 17th, save 25% off: 

You can even take 50% off the online School of the Spirit course with 6 limited-time bonuses!

A step-by-step guide on “abiding in Christ” or how to let go and let God live naturally and powerfully out through you. Disarmingly simple. Mind-blowingly powerful.

Price: $63.63

Overflow of the Spirit Digital Video Package

12 Sessions | Book 284 pgs | Workbook 50 pgs | by Mark Virkler and Charity Kayembe

Mark and Charity have teamed up again to create a training series on how to easily manifest the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit. It took us several years to break through all the confusion and present a clear, simple understanding of how to release the nine-fold manifestation of the Holy Spirit everywhere you go and with everyone you touch. It is not hard! It can’t be since these are gifts of the Holy Spirit, not things you have to work for.

Price: $72.89

Rivers of Grace Video Download Package

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 1 PDF eBook | 1 LEARN Notebook PDF | 5 Video Download Sessions

You can be the parent God wants you to be: loving, encouraging, trusting and able to raise up your children in the way they should go, fulfilling their own unique destinies. Parenting was not intended to be a burden, and anyone who tells you differently has bought into a lie. You will learn to enjoy parenting as an exciting, joy-filled, divinely-ordained opportunity, not a wearying responsibility.

Price: $23.92
Spirit-Anointed Teaching Video Download Package

Spirit-Anointed Teaching Video Download Package

2 ebooks | Video Download, PowerPoint Download

Spirit-Anointed Teaching Materials designed to strengthen ALL teachers including parents, Sunday school teachers, cell group leaders, pastors and educators in every field! These materials will give you the tools to become a Spirit-anointed trainer!

“They were amazed at His teaching; He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Mark 1:22)

Price: $17.73

Take Charge of Your Health Video Download Package

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 1 eBook | 12 Video Sessions

Discover how you can take charge of your own health — keeping yourself young, energetic, attractive, and free of degenerative diseases! Discover the biblical injunctions on diet and health, and the amazing correlations between them and modern scientific research. Updated in 2015 with 20 years of fresh insights since recording the previous "Go Natural" series!

Price: $69.90

The Power of Pictures Discounted Package

by Mark Virkler | 41 minute video teaching with 44 PowerPoints

It was a life-changing revelation when God taught me that “my emotions are byproducts of the pictures I gaze upon." In my study of health, I also learned that emotions turn my immune system on or off. This, in turn, greatly impacts my health. Finally, I have discovered that my energy to press forward to fulfill my destiny is strongly impacted by my emotions.

Price: $14.95

Through the Bible 1: Pentateuch Video Download Package

10 MP4 Video Sessions by Dr. Andrew Hardy | 1 PDF eBook by Mark and Patti Virkler

Dr. Andrew Hardy takes you from Genesis through Deuteronomy in 10 sessions. This is part one of our Through the Bible series, which gives you an overview of the entire Bible. It contains video downloads of Pentateuch as well as Through the Bible e-workbook

Price: $30.00

Through the Bible Discounted Video Download Package

1 Book | 8 series downloads | 1 Single MP3

This package gives you the tools to transform your study of the Scriptures into encounters with their Author Who will personally reveal what He wants to say to you through them each day! First is a MP3 which teaches you how to meditate on Scriptures so you receive revelation from the Holy Spirit as you prayerfully read the Word (Josh. 1:8; Eph. 1:17,18). You will discover how this is different from, and much deeper than, simple western study. Next is a Through the Bible workbook PDF ebook which guides you chapter-by-chapter through the entire Bible. Finally, we provide the cultural, historical and linguistic insights of Dr. Andrew Hardy, a British scholar in the eight video download sets which are all part of this discounted package.

Price: $135.00

Through the Bible New Testament Video Download Package

3 Video Download Sets by Dr. Andrew Hardy | 1 eBook by Mark and Patti Virkler

Dr. Andrew Hardy takes you through the New Testament in three modules. This package includes parts six - eight of our Through The Bible series,  which provide you an overview of the entire Bible. You may choose to begin with the Life of Christ and work your way through the entire New Testament, and then follow this up by going through the Old Testament.

Why are there four Gospels describing Jesus' life? How are the three synoptic Gospels different from John? What does God want to say to me through the life of Jesus? Can I really imitate Christ and be like him? Yes, Jesus came to model the lifestyle God has empowered us to live!

Price: $55.00

Through the Bible Old Testament Video Download Package

5 Video Download Modules by Dr. Andrew Hardy | 1 eBook by Mark and Patti Virkler

Dr. Andrew Hardy takes you through the entire Old Testament in these five modules. This is a part of our Through the Bible series, which gives you an overview of the entire Bible. This package contains five video download modules which span the Old Testament and includes the Through the Bible e-workbook

Price: $90.00

Pages