[:en]SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 8
“Go, It will be done just as you believed it would” (Matthew 8:13)
“You of little faith. Why are you so afraid?” (Matthew 8:26)
THE MAN WITH LEPROSY (vs. 1-4)
A young man with leprosy approached Jesus and knelt down asking Him to make him clean. Jesus reached out his hand and touched him and he was immediately cured. Jesus told him to show to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded as a testimony to them.
THE FAITH OF THE CENTURION (vs. 5-13)
When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him requesting him to cure his servant who was suffering paralysis. Jesus wanted to go and heal him. But the centurion told Jesus just to say the word and his servant will be healed. When Jesus heard this, he was impressed because no one in Israel had such kind of faith. Jesus told the centurion to go back and the centurion’s servant was healed at that very hour when Jesus said “It will be done just as you believed it would” (v. 13). Jesus warned the Jews of their unbelief because they will lose the Kingdom of God to the Gentiles.
JESUS HEALS MANY (vs. 14-17)
Jesus entered the house of Peter and saw his mother-in-law laying in bed with fever. He touched her hand and the fever disappeared. Many brought the demon-possessed to him and he drove the spirits out with a word. Many sick were healed.
THE COST OF FOLLOWING JESUS (vs. 18-22)
A teacher of the law came to Jesus and said that he will follow Him wherever he goes. Jesus answered: “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nest, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head” (vs. 20). Another disciple also wanted to follow Him but he would first go and bury his father. Jesus answered: “Follow me and let the dead bury their own death” (v. 22). To follow Jesus means to lay down everything and do it immediately. If you prioritize anything other than Jesus, you cannot follow him.
JESUS CALMS THE STORM (vs. 23-27)
A furious storm came when Jesus and His disciples were on the boat. Jesus was sleeping and the disciples woke him up. Jesus got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. Jesus admonished them for lack of faith. His disciples were amazed that even the winds and the waves obey Him.
THE HEALING OF TWO DEMON-POSSESSED MAN (vs. 28-34)
When Jesus arrived at the other side on the region of Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tomb met Him. They addressed Jesus as “Son of God” and begged Him to send them to the herd of pigs. Jesus said: “Go” and they entered into the pig and the whole herd rushed down into the lake and died. Those tending the pigs ran and reported everything that happened. The whole town went to see Jesus and pleaded him to leave their region.
SUMMARY:
This chapter recorded four healings that Jesus had performed: – Leprosy, Paralysis, Fever, and demon-possessed. It proved that Jesus is the Messiah, who has power over diseases. But it also requires FAITH on our part.
Leprosy in ancient times in an infectious disease that was incurable. In Leviticus 13, Leprosy was a picture of sin. It goes deep into the skin (v. 3), it spreads (v. 8), it isolates (v. 13) and things being contaminated must be burned up (v. 52).
Jesus had different ways of healing. To the servant of the Centurion and the demon possessed, he used the power of His Word. To the man with leprosy and Peter’s mother-in-law, He used His personal touch. Likewise, we can use the Word of God to heal people who are discouraged, depressed, lonely and burdened. We can use personal caring to those who are sick.
To follow Jesus means instant laying down of everything. It means wholehearted commitment without expecting any material benefits because Jesus Himself had no place to lay His head.
When storms of life strike us, do not be afraid. Have faith in Him. He is a great Savior who can calm down everything.
During the healing of the demon-possessed on the grave yard, there were two requests involved. The demon asked for the permission to enter the swine and the whole town pleaded Jesus to leave their region.
The demonic power in our world is real. It may work in different ways with temptations of lust, pride and love of money. However, Jesus had went through the storm of Calvary. His resurrection has won Him over the power of Satan. He has set us free. Therefore, we have to depend on His Word and our faith in our daily living.
[:]