Matthew 8

Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy

Verses 1-4

At this point in His ministry, Jesus had many followers. Great multitudes now followed Christ to hear His teachings and witness the great miracles. At the beginning of Matthew’s eighth chapter, Jesus heals a man with leprosy. This disease meant that the leper was kept away from the general community and sent to dwell with other lepers. In the first century there was no known cure, so people were afraid of leprosy.

Leprosy causes nerve damage and muscle failure that leads to blindness and deformity of the body. It also affects the appearance of the skin. This disease was regarded as an awful punishment from God. I am sure you can imagine leprosy is a very unpleasant condition. There are some countries around the world where this disease still affects people today.

The leper knew that Jesus had the power to heal him. He begged Christ to make him clean. However, the man knew that Christ would only heal him if He was willing. Christ was willing and immediately the man was cleansed. Sin is like leprosy, only Christ can heal men and women from the sickness of sin. Only Christ can make us clean and make us fit to live in the community of saints both on earth and above. The law required a leper to be examined by the priest before he was able to re-join the community (Leviticus 14).

Jesus cured the leper without bias, illustrating his readiness to heal individuals shunned by society. He revealed that God's compassion is accessible to all, no matter their background. Jesus demonstrates that He is the Messiah sent by God.

The Rabbis expected the Messiah to cure leprosy, cast out demons, and heal the lame. The Rabbis believed that the healing of a man with leprosy was a sign of the Messiah. Leprosy is a very contagious condition and people were considered unclean as is was symbolic of sin.

Jesus told the leper to go on his way and tell no man of this healing. He also told him to show himself before the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded as a testimony of them.

The Centurion Soldier Demonstrates Faith
Verses 5-13

When Jesus entered the village of Capernaum in Northern Galilee he was approached by a Roman soldier. The soldier came to Christ and pleaded with Him to help his servant who was paralysed. We read that Christ was willing to heal the servant. The centurion did not regard himself as worthy enough to have Christ as a guest in his house. He beseeched Christ to merely say the word and his servant would be made whole.

The centurion tells Christ about his authority as a Roman army officer. A centurion was an officer in control of over 100 soldiers. The ruthless control of the Romans made them a figure of hate in Israel. The Jews were expecting their Messiah to drive out the Romans from Israel and free them from Roman rule. The fact that Christ does not do that teaches us that Christ’s kingdom is not of this world and has not yet come. His kingdom will come during the Messianic Kingdom.

This centurion had genuine faith in Christ. We learn from the text that this faith displayed amazed Christ. He said that he has not seen such great faith in all of Israel. Jesus uses this opportunity to teach that it is a lack of faith that keeps people out of the Kingdom of God. Throughout Matthew’s Gospel, he makes the point that the message of Christ is for everyone. “East and West” is about the four corners of the world.

Jesus Heals Many People
Verses 14-17

We read about Jesus healing Peter's wife's mother. We do not read in the text of anyone asking Jesus to heal Peter's mother-in-law. Jesus had great compassion for her and healed her of her sickness. We learn from the text that the healing was immediate. By evening many people who were possessed by demons were brought to Christ. They were also healed by him. This was done so that the words of the Prophet Isaiah in 53:4 were fulfilled.

The Cost of Discipleship
Verses 18-22

A certain scribe came to Christ and desired to follow him. The scribe declared that wherever Christ would go he would follow him. This ought to be the desire of all disciples. The scribe wanted to follow Jesus, but he wanted to take care of other things before following Christ. It is possible from verse 21 that the scribe wanted to put off following Jesus until after his father had died. This is a noble reason, but not a legitimate one. We can find all manner of reasons to put off following Christ. No matter what excuse we come up with none will be good enough. Being a disciples is not easy. Jesus tells us that the foxes and birds have a home, but the Son of Man has no place to call home. Being a disciples is costly. Have you counted the cost? Many disciples have lost friends, family, jobs, security, and much more to follow the Saviour. The cost of following Christ is worthy because we have great gain in the cross of Christ. The benefits of true faith are far greater than the loss and cost.

 

Jesus Calms a Storm
Verses 23-27

In this passage of Scripture, we read about a great storm that arose. This must have been a very dangerous storm because it caused great fear to set in the hearts of the disciples, among whom were some experienced fishermen. The fact that Jesus was asleep in the boat tells us that he needed rest like everyone. His physical body required sleep. This fact teaches us a profound truth, even when Jesus was asleep, he was still in control of the situation. God is always in control of events. They woke Jesus as they were afraid. Christ first rebukes their lack of faith in His ability to control the elements and protect them.

Jesus rebuked the wind and the sea, and immediately there was a great calm. Not only were the seas calmed, but their hearts and souls were calmed by Christ. By this point, the disciples marvelled. This event must have strengthened their faith in Christ as He demonstrated His authority over the weather.

Jesus Heals Two Men with Demons
Verses 28-34

The country of the Gergesenes is located southeast of the Sea of Galilee. It is nearby the town of Gadara. Today, it is the modern El-Koursi. Gergesenes means "those who come from pilgrimage or fight."

Jesus met with two demon possessed people. People who are plagued with demons are under their control. Demons are fallen angels who have joined with Satan to rebel against God and His will. According to Jewish law, these men would have been viewed as unclean, still, Jesus helps them despite what the culture and customs dictate.

It is important to note from the text that even the demons and Satan know that Jesus is the Son of God. When the demons entered the pigs, they drove them into the sea. This shows us that demons desire to destroy and damage men and women. The demons fear the power of Christ. He can control the forces of darkness and thwart their wicked desires.

In the calming of the storm the witnesses were amazed and marvelled at who Jesus really was. In the deliverance of the demon processed the whole city came out to meet Christ and begged Him to depart from the city. The contrast is between being amazed and fearful.