Written ~ 01-10-2024
Read Matthew Chapter Eight
Matthew 8
After Jesus finished speaking to the crowds, He came down from the mountainside with the crowds following Him. They couldn’t get enough of Him.
Think of your all-time favorite musical artist, they have just put on a concert that had you completely enthralled, then it was time for them to walk off the stage and you didn’t want it to end yet! What happens most of the time? The crowd starts going wild with cheering, clapping, whistling and after a short time the band comes back out on stage to give an encore and the crowd goes crazy with anticipation and delight!
This is how I feel I could explain Matthew 8… The people who had gathered around Jesus, after hearing Him speak, were enthralled with these wonderful words they had not heard before, especially with such confidence and authority. So, when Jesus was finished, He got up and proceeded to leave. Matthew 8:1 says, “Large crowds followed Jesus as He came down the mountainside.” And what happens next? What if we were to look at what happened next as His encore? Chapter 8 goes from one story of healing to another, those around Jesus would have been stunned, possibly speechless but equally wide eyed and amazed!
When I read Chapter 8, I found it interesting that those who needed healing, for the most part, just went straight up to Jesus and asked. They had full assurance by what they had already seen and heard, that Jesus would heal their infirmities.
Do you and I have that same assurance and confidence to go to Jesus today for our own healing or for the healing of those close to us? He is the same yesterday, today and forever! But somehow, it seems we are much more timid about asking for healing today. Look at the dialogue between Jesus and the man who came to Him with the request to heal his leprosy. Verses 8:2-3,
2 Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached Him and knelt before Him. “Lord,” the man said, “if You are willing, You can heal me and make me clean.” 3 Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” He said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.
Jesus had just come down from the mountainside, so it’s apparent that this man was not up on the mountain but waiting at the foot of the mountain and as soon as he saw Jesus, verse 2 says, “…Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached…” What if you and I were unable to go to Jesus, maybe we are filled with fear, anxiety or apprehension to what our Lord’s response would be? In the times the Bible was written, leprosy was a terribly isolating disease, the afflicted person would be cast away, they had to live outside the city gates, they were labeled as unclean and would not be allowed much human contact, except with others who were also stricken with leprosy. So, for this man to come straight up to Jesus and fall to His feet would have been shocking to all those who were gathered around. And did you notice? Verse 3, “Jesus reached out and touched him.” Jesus was unafraid, Jesus was not stressed out by this intrusion, and Jesus did not pull back aghast that this leper was kneeling at His feet. No… Jesus touched him.
This is our same Jesus, we might come to Him with apprehension or not even go to Hiim at all, but He wants to touch us. He wants to reach out His hand and heal us of our infirmities. Do we have the same courage as this leper? What had he heard about this man named Jesus that gave him the nerve to walk right up to Him and kneel before Him! Again…Do we have that same courage?
In every instance that we read about healing in the Gospels, whether the sick came to Jesus or Jesus went to them, all were healed, even the ones who had “fallen asleep!” It just seems far too fantastic, doesn’t it? Why do we cast such doubt on our own healing today? Are we caught up in a crippling fear from the possibility of crushing disappointment if Jesus doesn’t bring healing to our bodies? Rather than throw ourselves at the feet of Jesus we curl up and suffer through our infirmity, seemingly, feeling alone and discouraged.
Look at the Apostle Paul, although he prayed over and over again for the “thorn in his flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7-10) to be removed, it didn’t stop him from doing the purpose on his heart of spreading the Gospel Message and Good News of Jesus Christ. We don’t exactly know what Paul was suffering from, but it was causing him enough trouble that he prayed multiple times for it to be removed. Now for Paul, the healing in his body did not come. But! The Word of the Lord gives us some of the most profound statements from just this one Scripture reference alone.
- My Grace is all you need
- My Power works best in weakness
- In my weakness the Power of Christ can work through me
- For when I am weak, then I am strong
The faith we put in Jesus for the healing of our infirmities may feel a little wavering. But in each case of healing from what we read in Matthew chapter 8, Jesus was willing and He either touched the sick or said the word and complete restoration was brought forth. In verse 8:17 we see a quote from Isaiah 53:4, “He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.” When Jesus died on the cross for us, He took upon Himself, not only all of our sin, guilt and shame, but also our sickness and disease.
You and I could possibly fall into one of two categories; either we are like the leper who was healed instantly by the touch of Jesus or we are like Paul who remained in his infirmity, but was strengthened by the Lord Jesus Christ each and every day and continued to serve the Lord with fervent dedication. Both instances are equally thrilling, obviously quite different, but equally thrilling. God’s purpose for you is overwhelmingly outstanding! You and I have the opportunity to fill our lives and the lives of those around us with incredible joy, no matter our circumstances. We might be the one who is instantly healed and we can cheer with joy and praise the Lord and testify loudly for what God has done in our lives. Or we can also cheer with joy and praise the Lord and testify loudly that God is our greatest strength and it is in Him that we rely on completely as we go through the difficult seasons of our lives. It’s a confession from our hearts, out loud for others to hear that we are praising God whatever the outcome of our prayers for the removal of an infirmity.
My friend, whatever you are praying for at this very moment, whether it’s healing in your own body or that of a loved one. Rest assured, Jesus is reaching out. How He heals you might be different than what you expected, but He is standing beside you to walk with you whatever the outcome. The Word of the Lord is Powerful and it is His desire to say, “I am willing.”
~AMEN~
- As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you can drop to your knees and worship Him and receive the healing of your body, your mind, your soul… But, if you are unsure… if you are not confident you know Jesus personally why not lift your eyes and meet His and ask Him to be your Lord ask Him to come into your life and be your one and only Savior. Pray this simple prayer and receive the gift of Salvation…
Dear Jesus, You know my heart, all the things I have done and said. Please forgive me for my unbelief. Please forgive me for all of my sins. I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You came to earth to die on the cross for my sins. I believe You rose from the dead to give me freedom from sin and death. By faith through believing in Who You Are, I accept You as my Lord and Savior. Come into my life, cleanse this heart of mine, white as snow. Help me not to doubt any longer and breathe life into me, fill me with Your light. Thank You Jesus! Amen.
- If you solemnly prayed this prayer, tell at least one person, so they can share in your joy!! I rejoice with you! All the angels in Heaven rejoice with you!
- It is very important to me that those who might be reading these journal pages of mine and don’t yet know the Lord Jesus Christ, that you make that decision. Today. Your heart and mind may not understand everything you have been reading, but if you open your heart to the truth of who Jesus is, you will be saved from sin and death. By the Power of the Holy Spirit you will be amazed at how quickly after giving your heart to the Lord your eyes and ears will be opened to the truth.