Matthew part 12

The Power of the Messiah

As we continue our study through Matthew’s Gospel, we are coming to another set of narratives. As you recall, Matthew begins with a genealogy giving evidence to Jesus’ lineage and identity. He then went into the narrative of Jesus’ birth and how Jesus’ ministry began. The Sermon on the Mount in 5-7 marks the direct teachings of Jesus. It is a summary of sorts for what Jesus spoke and taught. Now, Matthew moves on to the story of Jesus’ ministry which gives evidence for Jesus’ identity as the Messiah. Jesus will perform a series of miracles which all point to the reality the Son of God has come.

The Power to Heal | Matthew 8:1-17

When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”

When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.

And when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

Matthew 8:1-17

The key to this particular passage is found in verse 17 (Jesus performs these miracles in order to fulfill prophecy), but let’s take a moment and look at these healings.

The first healing occurs with a leper. Under the Old Testament Law, this leper would be ceremonially unclean because of his disease, meaning he was unable attend worship, offer sacrifice, or otherwise fellowship with his fellow Israelites. He was not only suffering from a physical disease; he suffered as an outcast from God’s people. We cannot let the duality of this man’s suffering escape us, because it informs how we can look at this in today’s context.

Who are the outcasts in our world today? Who is unable to join in worship because of social convention?

It is an uncomfortable question to ask on a Sunday morning, but it is one that needs to be asked every once in awhile. Because as we clearly read, despite this man’s disease, Jesus still chose to heal him. He brought healing both physically, spiritually, and made it to where the man could be reconciled with his fellow Israelites. Jesus adds the man should go show himself to the priest and offer the gift in accordance with the Law in order for the priests to welcome the man back into the fold.

Though some are considered outcasts from society or the people of God, because of Jesus they do not have to stay that way.

As ‘good Christian folk’ we would never say (at least out loud) some particular person is unwelcome in the church. The reality is some people do not feel welcomed. Whatever their reason, it doesn’t matter how much we say they are welcomed, because they do not feel that way. We must demonstrate a welcoming attitude. And notice the example of Jesus. Jesus allowed the leper to be in the ‘great crowd’ that was following Him. There wasn’t a special section for the leper, though I’m sure many in the crowd stayed their distance. He was welcomed to come to the Savior.

As a church, we must always be willing to demonstrate hospitality, but it does not start in the church building. It starts when we are out among the crowds. We cannot expect them to come with us to Jesus if we are unwilling to go to them. Hospitality in the church begins as we are out and about engaging with the world around us. We have to build positive relationships with those outside of the body of Christ in order to be welcoming when they are curious about our faith.

The second healing demonstrates the universality of Jesus’ power to heal. This centurion was not an Israelite, but he had heard and seen enough to know Jesus could heal his servant. In fact, this Gentile soldier’s faith exceeded that of God’s own people. The centurion knew how authority worked. If Jesus had the authority to heal with just a word, Jesus did not need to come to the servant. He only had to say the word. It did not matter the centurion or the servant were not Israelites. Jesus’ authority extended to all people.

This response demonstrates how faith is more than mere mental ascent. It is about trust. The centurion’s trust was so deep that he did not need to see Jesus perform the miracle. He only needed to know that Jesus was willing.

Having faith means trusting that Jesus will do what He says He will do.

Before we go to the next healing, look again at verses 11 & 12. Here, Jesus notes that some of the Israelites would not enter the kingdom of heaven. Even though they are God’s people, they fail to have the faith of this centurion. Jesus also says that many will come ‘from the east and west’ to recline with the people of God. Jesus is reinforcing God seeks to save from all people groups. There is not a soul that cannot enter the kingdom if they are willing to trust in the Messiah. But there are those who will hear the Gospel, perhaps even memorize all the stories of the Bible, but miss out on the kingdom of heaven because they never actually trust in the Lord.

The third healing occurs in Peter’s home. Peter’s mother-in-law is suffering from a fever. According to Luke, it was a considerably high fever at that. Jesus reaches for her hand and as he touches it, the fever leaves her. She is healed immediately and feels well enough to begin serving her guests, especially the guest of honor.

This healing offers a detail similar to the detail in the first one. In both instances, Jesus reaches out and touches the afflicted person. It is an important detail because under the Old Testament Law, touching a leper or otherwise sick person would make them unclean, as well. It is not just an arbitrary command. It speaks to the nature of sin.

Sin inevitably spreads and corrupts more than just the initial sinner. When you read the Law books of the Old Testament, you will notice the consequences for sin involve expulsion from the nation or death. The seriousness of sin was to the extent the Israelites could not condone keeping it unchecked. Their inability to deal with rebellious citizens is eventually why they went into captivity. The curse of sin spread too far.

Here, we see Jesus’ power to heal overcomes sin’s curse. Rather than Jesus being affected by sin and disease, the sin and disease is destroyed by Jesus. When news of this power spread, the people started bringing in the sick, the possessed, and the otherwise afflicted to Jesus. They became bold in reaching out to the afflicted because they knew Jesus had the power to heal.

Christians have no fear of the afflicted when they know who has the power to heal.

How is it that Christians can welcome the outcast? How is it they can reach out to the lost? How is it they can minister to the sick? When they are walking with Jesus, they know they are protected by Jesus. And even if they do succumb to some earthly sickness, they will still minister because they are following in Jesus’ footsteps.

The Cost of Following Jesus | Matthew 8:18-22

Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”

Matthew 8:18-22

Matthew interjects this dialogue between Jesus and a scribe to show readers following Jesus does not come without a cost. The scribe promises to follow Jesus wherever He goes, but Jesus reminds the scribe nowhere on earth is Jesus’ home. Jesus’ mission does not allow for a permanent residence. He has a short time to fulfill prophecies, minister to those who need Him, and finish his time on the cross.

Jesus’ answer to the scribe also informs how we consider our identity in Christ. The scribe would’ve had a well-established life as a scribe. It was not a career that one just falls into. His religious, familial, and civic identity were tied to his career. Many times in life we find something that becomes the bedrock of our identity. It could be a family name, a particular career path, or some other civic organization. We know ourselves, and people know us, by whatever this particular thing is.

Jesus reminds the scribe, and us, that if our identity is rooted in anything other than Christ, we are missing the mark on following Him. That is why Jesus tells the disciple, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” It’s not that Jesus is uncaring about the loss of this man’s father. It’s that Jesus was actively engaged with His mission, and if these men wanted to be part of that mission, they could not continue life “as it has always been.” Something very different was happening, and they would miss out if they did not continue to follow.

Following Jesus can mean losing the comforts of our old life with the old hurt.

Christians are quick to release their old hurts and ready to remove old pains, but very few are ready to give up old comforts, too. But when we surrender to Christ, we are surrendering it all.

The Power over Nature | Matthew 8:23-27

And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

Matthew 8:23-27

We sometimes forget that Jesus was still human. He was tired from the crowds that needed healing and from teaching them. It’s no wonder he fell asleep even when a storm arose. Of course, the disciples were scared. Other Gospels recount the disciples ask Jesus if He even cared they were all about to be tossed overboard from the wind. Their fears were relived when Jesus calmed the storm, but that only brought about a new concern—who is this man that even winds and sea obey him?

Routinely the modern world wants to relegate Jesus to just another charlatan who knew some magic tricks to please the crowd. They will scoff at the miracle stories as either embellishment or parlor tricks. And yet, here is one story that is not so easily explained. This story is actually one of very few that are found in all four Gospels. All four writers want us to understand the power Jesus held as He walked on this earth. For the fishermen and other disciples who would’ve been on the water routinely, they knew the power of the wind and waves. They knew the feeling of utter weakness while battling these storms in a boat. They want us to feel the absolute awe of seeing Jesus stand up, rebuke the wind and waves, and then watch as the storm dissipates and the waves calm. This was not some parlor trick. This was a demonstration of the power of the Son of Man.

Last time we discussed bearing good fruit even in the midst of turmoil. Look again at how Jesus conducts himself during this scenario. He sleeps peacefully while the others panic. He encourages their spirits instead of chastising their weakness. He is patient with their little faith, willing to use even that little bit to calm the storm.

The disciples are still learning at this point to trust in the Messiah, but they have at least learned that when the storms started to beat the boat, it was time to find Jesus. These were experienced sailors. They could have said, “We have this. We know what to do during a storm.” They could have even ‘accepted their fate’ and the boat crushed by the sea. But instead, they did exactly what they needed to do. They went to Jesus.

Sometimes in life it may feel like Jesus is asleep during your storm. But consider this story. Jesus slept because He knew everything was fine. His Father had a plan and that plan did not include them drowning that day. If you wonder why Jesus is not as worried about your storm as you are, maybe it’s because Jesus is trying to tell you there is no need to worry. If your life is in God’s hands, then let the storms come. You will be right where you need to be—held in the arms of Christ.

There is no need to worry about the storm when Jesus is in your boat.

The Power over Evil | Matthew 8:28-34

And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.

Matthew 8:28-34

Luke offers a little more detail with this story adding the demons called themselves “Legion” and how one of the men (perhaps both, but Luke includes only one possessed man) sat with Jesus for a long time after being delivered. Interestingly, the spirits know right away who Jesus is, and they know their time is short. Now, we do not know why Jesus would allow them to be cast into the pigs rather than just sent back to the abyss (Luke 8:32), but regardless, Jesus demonstrates His authority over even the spirits. They must ask permission to enter the pigs. They beg for mercy. They know they are under the authority of the Son of God.

The reaction of the people is quite telling. They are witness to a spectacular miracle. These poor men have been subjected to spiritual and physical torture for some time and are finally delivered. But instead of rejoicing for their restoration, the people beg for Jesus to leave. Luke adds the people were seized with great fear. Many commentators believe their economic loss also played a part in their reaction. Matthew Henry says it best with, “[Too many] prefer their pigs above their Savior, and so come short of Christ, and salvation through him.”

Before we close today, let’s take a look at this chapter from a higher viewpoint. We have seen Jesus extend power over disease, power over nature, and power over evil. And yet, Matthew chooses to include a seemingly disconnected conversation between Jesus and a scribe in the midst of these great miracles. But then again, as we compare that conversation with the reaction of the Gadarenes, a lesson emerges. It appears crowds of people are willing to be with Jesus long enough for the blessings, but only a few are willing to stay with Him through the storms and the work.

That lesson is still true today. Everyone will say they want to go to heaven, but how many are willing to follow Jesus to get there? People want to be healed of their disease, their evil afflictions, and their storms, but how many are willing to “let the dead bury their dead” or ‘let the pigs run off the cliff’?

Salvation is a free gift of God by His grace, but there is an opportunity cost. It is the cost that occurs when we repent from our sin and put to death our old life. It is the cost of realizing God’s way and God’s plan for us may not include things from our former life.

If we are to follow Jesus, we must be ready to give up all the former things in our life.

Now, you may say “that’s too hard, who could do such a thing?” But I have some good news straight from Jesus Himself. In Luke 18:29-30, He says:

“Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

Luke 18:29-30

Perhaps as you consider following Jesus it may seem like too much to give up. But consider this, everything that you are willing to part with for the sake of the kingdom of God will be repaid many times over. The Kingdom of God is worth it all and more! Later in Matthew, we will read many parables about the kingdom of heaven, many of which point us to this singular fact:

Jesus is worth giving up everything because with Jesus you have all you need.

Do not forget His great promise in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Stop holding back from following Jesus. There is nothing in this life worth holding onto that compares to being in the arms of Christ.