Matthew 8

Matthew is concerned with showing us how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah. Matthew 5-7 shows Jesus as the great teacher/prophet that was predicted: “The LORD your God will raise up to you a prophet from amongst you, of your brothers, like me. You shall listen to him” (Deuteronomy 18:15, WEB). Matthew 8-9 shows Jesus as the great healer that was prophesied: “Surely he has borne our sickness and carried our suffering” (Isaiah 53:4, WEB).

I think that it’s important to note that Jesus is fulfilling these roles during His earthly ministry to prove who He was/is. He’s showing that He is the Messiah by His teaching and by His healing. But we need to understand that Jesus doesn’t heal every person he comes into contact with. Sometimes He leaves places where people are coming to see Him (Mark 1:38). Sometimes He chooses certain people to heal (John 5:6). Why is this important to note? Because there are some that say Jesus came so that we would be healed of all our physical issues, but only if we have enough faith.

In truth, sometimes God’s children are healed miraculously. Sometimes we’re healed another way. But not everyone is healed all of the time. And we see this illustrated by Paul: “By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, a thorn in the flesh was given to me: a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively. Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me. He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9, WEB).

While the Isaiah 53:4 passage is used primarily to identify the Messiah by Matthew, it is applicable to us in two ways. First, we all have been healed spiritually. Jesus has healed us of our sins! 1 Peter 2:24 (WEB) says, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness. You were healed by his wounds.” And second, one day we will all be physically healed. We will have new bodies in a new kingdom in the new heavens and the new earth.

The encounters with the teacher of the law and the disciple teach us that there is a cost to following Jesus. Why should we be willing to pay that cost? Because of whom Jesus is! He has control of the natural and the supernatural. Why wouldn’t we trust Him with our lives?!?!?

We see something else here as well. When the awesome power of the Son of Man is on display it provokes a reaction. In each instance where Jesus displays His authority it causes people to respond with fear. The disciple’s fear is akin to awe, and it causes them to be amazed. When the townspeople understand what Jesus did, they seem to be terrified and beg Him to leave! Can you imagine? But in truth, even in our day and age, when people are introduced to the only one who can save them, they end up turning away. Not much has changed in 2000 years.

Thought for the day: Peter had a mother-in-law. Peter was married! It is unbiblical to suggest that a spiritual leader needs to be single.

1 Corinthians 9:5 (WEB) “Have we no right to take along a wife who is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?”