Chapter 8 of Matthew begins Jesus' journey on Earth as a healer. When I first read this chapter as a child, it was difficult for me to grasp the concept of the miracle of immediate healing. It was difficult for me to understand because I live in a time of humanity when miracles are more subtlety given and displayed. Not even an ounce of me doubts that Jesus or God is capable of performing miracles but I have become accustomed to the method of miracle in my time: subtle miraculous signs which require faith to observe.
I have come to understand Jesus' healing in that time in this way: He was there to preach a new way of life and held nothing, none, of his capabilities back. Everything was in the open. He backed up His word with action. To prove that God was the giver of life, He gave some hard, concrete proof of that: by actually giving life. It was a way to establish the faith with evidence. For me, it is easy to believe in God by looking at the impossibly smart ingenuity of the human body, the distant, brightness of stars in the universe, the self-sustaining ecosystems of the Earth... everywhere I look is proof of a God. For others, like Thomas who we will learn about, (in John 20:27) faith requires that the miracle be delivered or accomplished before a witness. God understands that we humans are skeptical and in laying the foundation for His word, he gave that foundation solidity.
I will reiterate that having faith in God against all odds or evidence against Him (what people to believe is His absence or silence) is faith more appreciated by Him than those who love Him but require proof. It's a common notion: you really appreciate people who care about you without your having to provide them evidence as to why they should. People who care about you based on what you do for them just does not have the same value (even if the relationship is still meaningful). You can find this in (John 20:29). On Earth, by remaining vigilant but unseen, God allows us the opportunity to love Him in this truer and sweeter way.
(8:1) Great multitudes followed Jesus before even witnessing His ability to heal. There is a great strength in these words. It appeals to people because it is clear, direct and simple. A deeper part of our soul and mind accepts this advice because it recognizes truth. Be open to finding it.
(8:2) A man with a skin disease comes to Jesus and uses very specific words (do not read over their structured importance) "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." By making this particular statement this man reveals two certain things:
- He respects God's will by saying "IF you are willing." He does not demand to be healed (Doesn't even technically ask to be healed), He respects the stipulation that God's will be the one to determine if He should be healed.
- He declares his belief that Jesus can indeed heal him. It is a statement: "You can make me clean." Complete faith.
Also consider the metaphor hiding within that statement. The man wants to be healed of his skin affliction on the surface, but Jesus is a healer of the soul and mind... he drives out evil and confusion and replaces it with goodness and truth. He cleans and establishes.
(8:3) There are no fireworks. There is no show. Jesus is humble and efficient. God willed the man to be "cleansed" and it was done quickly, without overt production, or delay. It is easy for God to accomplish, there is no process, no error.
(8:4) Jesus asks that the man not make a spectacle, He has a better plan: to accomplish another thing with this healing. His humility and efficiency again shows. He instructs the man to go to his place of worship and to show his teacher (the priest). Jesus wants this healed man to be a testimony to the truth of God's word. Go and be living proof that the word preached by Moses about me is accurate. The man is given purpose and direction; he becomes an instrument to spreading God's will to others.
(8:5-6) A man of the army approaches Jesus with a plea. His plea is not for himself but for his servant (this reveals the man to be compassionate and selfless). He asks for Jesus' help for another and not for himself, that really pleases God!
(8:7) Jesus quickly and without hesitation (as is His way) states that He will heal the servant. He quickly agrees to do this because He sees that this man's heart is pure and compassionate, to seek help for his servant (a man considered inferior to him in the structure of his community).
(8:8) The man is humble. He recognizes and believes that Jesus is precious and godly and perfect and is shocked that such an entity would try to enter his earthly, little home! He also reveals his faith even further, he knows that Jesus could heal this servant without needing to touch or even see him. He only need will it to have it accomplished.
(8:9) He tells Jesus that even he, a man with servants, knows he is not the highest authority (even though his position in society is rather powerful). He is not full of himself or drunk with power.
(8:10) Jesus recognizes the absolute strength of this man's faith. The land of Israel is where the family through which Christ was born is from... God says even they do not believe in Him in such a pure way (and I have been very apparent, giving and open with them for generations!) This centurion believes in Jesus' ability without having had as much knowledge of Him as others who love Him less do.
(8:11) Jesus tells the man that many of the aforementioned family (who brought forth Jesus through many generations) will seek their place in Heaven and lose it because of their bad choices and actions, because of their cruelty toward others. Most importantly, people who do not belong, biologically, to that family will find a place in Heaven because of their goodness and faith. God is impartial, all reward and punishment is doled as deserved, regardless of who you are or where you come from.
(8:12) People who lose their place in Heaven due to their wickedness will weep and regret their choices.
(8:13) Jesus says that the man's faith has healed his servant. "In the same hour" means, when it was asked, it was done.
(8:14-15) Another action I believed is a great metaphor to learn from. If Jesus heals you, of whatever ailment, addiction, or temptation that has held you back, rise when you are healed and help Him accomplish His work of healing others and bringing them home to Him. Serve Him and His purpose. Do not waste his gift of healing.
(8:16) Jesus heals the sick and casts out demons. I can only interpret the use of this word "demons" as it feels comfortable for me. Though others might have a more literal interpretation of a demon, I consider the "demons" written here to be illnesses misunderstood by that generation to be evil spirits. Even today, some small technologically disadvantaged countries and villages confuse physical and mental ailments to be curses and demons. Either way, actual demons or illness have no chance against God. A demon could also be a name for an evil man. God can clean the evil out of you if you listen to His advice.
(8:17) Scripture is quoted from the Old Testament. Scripture here is fulfilled. God always planned to sent Jesus and his plans are always fulfilled. God absorbs then mute and kills what troubles us if we allow Him the pleasure of doing so.
(8:18) Jesus is ready to move to another area to find more people to heal and bring into his ministry.
(8:19) This particular disciple is ready and willing, no delay, no questions asked. This is how you should carry out God's word: with immediacy and faith.
(8:20) I interpret this to mean that Jesus, the Son of God, has no time to rest. Much must be accomplished during his life on Earth... there is no time for leisure. For the sake of humanity, Jesus takes no breaks, wastes no time and is in constant motion to fulfill his purpose.
(8:21) This disciple expresses hesitation and he has not fully grasped Jesus' meaning. If your spirit believes in God, you can never die! Your soul lives on eternally, it does not require its earthly body. If this disciple wishes to bury his father, he therefore wishes to waste his time. His father, if he believes in God, does not need to be buried because he is alive in the most important way. This is a metaphor. Jesus does not want us to waste our time concerned with earthly notions of death. Death is not an end for the spiritual man or woman. We should not dawdle. We should not revel in sadness, for the children of God are forever alive. Continue the mission.
(8:22) Here is a new metaphor. Dead actually symbolizes spiritual dead-ness. Jesus teaches us that we should let the wicked deal with the wicked. A child of God is never dead, does not require burial. It is a metaphor but an important one! Let the evil waste their time with the notion of death, they are the only ones who with ever suffer it.
(8:23-27) I love this story of teaching (another metaphor!). Jesus and the disciples are in the boat, in the middle of the sea, when a terrible storm surrounds them. But Jesus appears to be sleeping. The disciples become terrified and fear for their life, even though they are with the Son of God who is capable of all things. Jesus immediately and easily calms the storm. He has control over the forces of the Earth. He reveals all that He is capable of in a new, grander capacity than the disciples even knew.
This is a metaphor for your life. Even though God is not readily visible to you, do you automatically assume and determine that He is not present in your life? Even though Jesus was sleeping, he was with them - totally and completely. He is always your protector, have faith in that truth. Trust that even though God appears to be sleeping, he has total reign over men and Earth and universe. Do not fear anything when you have such an entity as your protector, such an entity as your Father Who loves you.
(8:28) Jesus and His disciples arrive in new territory. Jesus has not lost and power or strength and can handle these terrible-sounding men.
(8:29) These evil men recognize Jesus. Remember, Satan is very familiar with the Bible and with God. He may even know them better than you do. Do not mistake evil people for stupid. Even they can understand the power of God, they reject Him, but they understand His power and they even cower in His presence. They are worried at his arrival... why, they ask, are you here so early? They want their time on Earth to do their wicked things. (Special Study: Refer to "Why Does God Allow Suffering?)
(8:30-31) These evil men desire their life so badly that they ask Jesus to put their souls into the swine (a metaphor to learn from!) The evil men wish to live even as a lowly scavenging animal instead of perishing into nothingness (which is the treatment their actions earn them). Jesus permits this request because He is wiser than them and can see where it will lead.
(8:32) Jesus puts the evil men's spirits in the swine and... the swine reject it. The lesson here in this metaphor is that even animals (that we may view as unintelligent) are wise enough to reject the ways of Satan. The pigs would rather die themselves (and I personally think animals go to Heaven!) than live with the sick nature of evil inside of them. If the pigs make this decision... so should you! Command it out of yourself.
(8:33) The rest of the group (belonging to the evil men) flee from Jesus. They see what He is capable of and they chose not to taunt Him... the leave and quickly.
(8:34) The people of this wicked land want nothing to do with God or Jesus. They want Him gone because they fear Him. You do not have to fear God... you love Him, He loves you. You care for and help His children, He cares for and helps you. Only the wicked need fear God.
(8:21) This disciple expresses hesitation and he has not fully grasped Jesus' meaning. If your spirit believes in God, you can never die! Your soul lives on eternally, it does not require its earthly body. If this disciple wishes to bury his father, he therefore wishes to waste his time. His father, if he believes in God, does not need to be buried because he is alive in the most important way. This is a metaphor. Jesus does not want us to waste our time concerned with earthly notions of death. Death is not an end for the spiritual man or woman. We should not dawdle. We should not revel in sadness, for the children of God are forever alive. Continue the mission.
(8:22) Here is a new metaphor. Dead actually symbolizes spiritual dead-ness. Jesus teaches us that we should let the wicked deal with the wicked. A child of God is never dead, does not require burial. It is a metaphor but an important one! Let the evil waste their time with the notion of death, they are the only ones who with ever suffer it.
(8:23-27) I love this story of teaching (another metaphor!). Jesus and the disciples are in the boat, in the middle of the sea, when a terrible storm surrounds them. But Jesus appears to be sleeping. The disciples become terrified and fear for their life, even though they are with the Son of God who is capable of all things. Jesus immediately and easily calms the storm. He has control over the forces of the Earth. He reveals all that He is capable of in a new, grander capacity than the disciples even knew.
This is a metaphor for your life. Even though God is not readily visible to you, do you automatically assume and determine that He is not present in your life? Even though Jesus was sleeping, he was with them - totally and completely. He is always your protector, have faith in that truth. Trust that even though God appears to be sleeping, he has total reign over men and Earth and universe. Do not fear anything when you have such an entity as your protector, such an entity as your Father Who loves you.
(8:28) Jesus and His disciples arrive in new territory. Jesus has not lost and power or strength and can handle these terrible-sounding men.
(8:29) These evil men recognize Jesus. Remember, Satan is very familiar with the Bible and with God. He may even know them better than you do. Do not mistake evil people for stupid. Even they can understand the power of God, they reject Him, but they understand His power and they even cower in His presence. They are worried at his arrival... why, they ask, are you here so early? They want their time on Earth to do their wicked things. (Special Study: Refer to "Why Does God Allow Suffering?)
(8:30-31) These evil men desire their life so badly that they ask Jesus to put their souls into the swine (a metaphor to learn from!) The evil men wish to live even as a lowly scavenging animal instead of perishing into nothingness (which is the treatment their actions earn them). Jesus permits this request because He is wiser than them and can see where it will lead.
(8:32) Jesus puts the evil men's spirits in the swine and... the swine reject it. The lesson here in this metaphor is that even animals (that we may view as unintelligent) are wise enough to reject the ways of Satan. The pigs would rather die themselves (and I personally think animals go to Heaven!) than live with the sick nature of evil inside of them. If the pigs make this decision... so should you! Command it out of yourself.
(8:33) The rest of the group (belonging to the evil men) flee from Jesus. They see what He is capable of and they chose not to taunt Him... the leave and quickly.
(8:34) The people of this wicked land want nothing to do with God or Jesus. They want Him gone because they fear Him. You do not have to fear God... you love Him, He loves you. You care for and help His children, He cares for and helps you. Only the wicked need fear God.
