Matthew 8

Chapter 8

Matthew wants to demonstrate further the identity of Christ by His works and demonstrations of power. All of this has to do with Matthew’s theme of discipleship, what does it mean to follow Christ, and what are the implications. Jesus now finished with His sermon, responds to the needs of people with immediate healing power. Jesus is the rewarder of faith. Also, Jesus being fully capable to heal everyones disease only demonstrates such healing with the cooperation of people’s faith. The leper’s worship in verse 2 and the magnitude of power need to heal leprosy instantly gives more evidence by Matthew of who Jesus is. He is Almighty God, and such identity demands our discipleship. Remember in Chapter 4 Jesus quotes scripture that people should only worship God, and here Jesus is the rightful recipient of man’s worship.

Combined with Jesus’ affection and healing of the Centurion’s servant goes to show Jesus’ compassion on the ostracized of society. In verse 3 Jesus “touched” the leprous man, an act unnecessary for healing, but demonstrates Jesus’ disregard for the taboo’s of soceity. Any with leprosy was an unwanted outcast of society, but Jesus acts otherwise with compassion. The same is said for the Centurion and his servant. A gentile as unwelcome company in Jewish society, yet Jesus healed the servant on behalf of the Centurion’s faith. Jesus marks this “outsiders” faith to those following to the effect they too should take this example. The example of the leprous man and the centurion are such that Matthew wants us to see in responding to Christ. Both men demonstrated astonishing attitudes of faith and understanding of Christ’s authority(8:9) as well as their uncleanness (8:2) Why will so many “children” of the kingdom be cast out and weep in darkness(8:12)? Because they did not approach Jesus with such attitudes demonstrated by the leper and the centurion. Repentance is always coupled with humility and confession of one’s unworthiness before Jesus (8:8). What’s the moral of the story? Confession of unworthiness, repentance, humility and faith in the person of Jesus Christ is the acceptable way to follow Christ.

Peter’s mother, notably a woman, receives unmerited grace from Jesus. The way Jesus dignified women should shame societies the world as seen in history in mistreatment and dishonor towards women. Peter’s mother is given as example of discipleship in her immediate reaction to rise up and serve Jesus(8:15). How so true a picture for us, before we can serve God we first need to be served by Christ, and so He did for all on the cross.

It’s very important in Gospel to consider how the author is arranging these episodes.  They are not entirely meant to stand alone, but when they are interpreted together they teach a broader theme.  In chapter 8’s case we see a series of healings and demonstrations of Jesus’ authority over disease and even death.  In my view the unit ends with the quote from Isaiah 53 (v17).  We should ask what Matthew is trying to communicate with the arrangement of these episodes?  Well certainly Matthew brings the quote from Isaiah to deliver the summary of that message, this is the Messiah and He is demonstrating that He is.

Does this mean that Christians or so called miracle healers will be able to demand healings from heaven at any time? Hardly, just as the Gospel of John suggests, these miracles are signs in themselves that prompt genuine believe in the person of Jesus and particularly the atonement of the cross.  Yes, there is healing, but it ultimately it comes through the cross and will be realized upon all believers in the kingdom.  These passages do not warrant anyone to claim some sort of healing powers or suggest the churches purpose is to recreate miracles. Instead we point to the healing promised “in that day” when Christ returns for His own.

Further in the chapter we are presented with inadequate responses towards discipleship. A “certain scribe” approaches Jesus eagerly vowing certain discipleship (8:19) One thinks “what could be inadequate about this?” A clue is given by the title of “Master” spoken by this scribe. In Semitic terms, master means rabbi or merely teacher. This would explain Jesus’ response to the man suggesting the scribe did not fully understand what he was getting himself into. Jesus is more than a mere rabbi, He is Lord worthy of all praise. The centurion and the leper’s responses showed reverence to The Lord Jesus. Counting the cost of discipleship is important for anyone considering following Jesus. Jesus teaches the scribe that following Jesus means no true place to call home and inaudible question can almost be heard, “You think your up for this?”. The answer of course is yes, but only based on the faith on Jesus Christ’s true identity, God in human flesh, our Emmanuel. A disciples citizenship is no longer among the earth but heavenly (8:20) Quick glory cannot be the means of discipleship for one must accept the long road ahead in following Jesus.

The second response is opposite to the scribes, but is equally inadequate. If the scribe was overeager, this young fellow is under eager (8:21). “Let me bury my father first” is a fair way to say, I’ll follow you after my father passes away.” In other words, this young man’s allegiance to his father surpassed any allegiance to the Son of God. Acceptable faith is such that puts Jesus first. He is the disciples priority over family or anything else.

Matthew now portrays Jesus as supreme over nature. The rarity of these types of miracles and their magnitude only point to divinity of Christ. Moses did not possess any power of the Red Sea but simply obeying what God told him to do. Jesus however directly rebuked the winds and the sea and they immediately obeyed Him. Jesus is God. What’s the point of Matthew showing us these things? When the gospel of Jesus comes to you, what will be your response this Him?

Lastly Matthew portrays Jesus having mastery over Satan’s realm. Up to this point we’ve seen His power of disease and nature, and now over Satan. Matthew is systematically showing us the jurisdiction and sovereignty of Jesus Christ. At the end of chapter 8, Matthew shows us a type of response by unbelieving people who see the majesty of Christ and yet refuse Him. The ridiculousness of such their response is sadly the majority of response people have toward Christ today. When Jesus cast out the demons, He suffers them to enter a heard of swine who run straight for the coast and drown themselves. Instead of recognizing the awesome power of God and Who they have standing in front of them, their only (ridiculous) concern is the loss of their pigs. Without finding any faith among them to cooperate with, Jesus leaves as quickly as He came (8:34). Regardless of their response though, Matthew demonstrates the sovereignty of Jesus know’s no limits.