Continuing from Matthew 7:29, this chapter focuses on the authority of Jesus.
Authority over sickness
v1-4 Jesus will not turn us away when we come to Him with the right posture and faith. Lepers were regarded as unclean and restricted from entering God’s presence (Leviticus 13:45-46). They were not allowed to live in the community but were isolated from the society. According to the Law of Moses, a person would become unclean if they touched another person who was unclean. Jesus was not afraid that the leper’s uncleanliness would make Him unclean. Instead Jesus reached out His hand to the unclean leper so that he would become clean. In 2 Kings 15:5, God touched a King and he became leprous. But when Jesus touched the leper, he was restored. When Jesus said He was willing, He had already accepted the price He had to pay on the cross. Jesus knew that it was only through His sacrifice on the cross that we would be cleansed from all sin.
v5-13 Jesus heals when we come to Him with faith. The centurion was a Gentile and it was unlawful for Jews to associate with Gentiles (Acts 10:28). It is shocking that Jesus would agree to go to Cornelius’ house to heal his servant. Jesus shows us that salvation is for all humanity. In God’s eyes, here is no distinction between Jew and Gentile, clean or unclean. Cornelius was in a position of high authority but recognised that Jesus had even greater authority. Jesus comments that this Gentile’s faith puts Israel to shame. The servant was healed because of the Centurion’s faith in the authority of Jesus. It is not the touch of Jesus that brings healing but faith in His authority.
v14-17 Peter’s mother-in-law was healed because Peter brought Jesus into his home. We can bring Jesus into our homes to heal those who are sick. Jesus only needed one word to deliver people because He had all spiritual authority. The power of Jesus heals the sick instantly. We are healed because Jesus took all sin and sickness upon Himself on the cross. In exchange, Jesus gave us healing and eternal life.
Question for Bible Study
What do these verses teach about the power of Jesus to heal?
Authority over creation
v18-22 Does Jesus have full authority over your life? The call of a disciple is to follow Jesus wherever He goes. You can only follow Jesus when you are ready to leave behind the comforts that you enjoy in life. At times, following Jesus will also require great sacrifice. Jesus is not calling us to neglect our parents. When Jesus said “leave the dead to bury the dead”, He was referring to those who are spiritually dead. The disciple wanted to wait until his father had passed away before following Jesus. During that time, it was the duty of the oldest son to bury his father. Furthermore, abandoning one’s father may mean the loss of one’s inheritance. Jesus calls us to put Him first before all else. Just like the disciples who left behind their old way of life to follow Him (Matthew 4:22).
Question for Bible Study
What is holding you back from following Jesus?
v23-27 There are many parallels between this account and the story of Jonah.
| Matthew 8:23-26 | Jonah 1:4-6 |
| there arose a great storm on the sea | the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea |
| the boat was being swamped by the waves | there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up |
| but he (Jesus) was asleep | But Jonah was fast asleep |
| they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” | “What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish.” |
| Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. | Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you |
While Jonah was running away from God’s command, Jesus was continuing God’s mission. Jonah was the cause of the storm and was asleep because he did not care that innocent sailors were perishing. Jesus cares for His disciples but was asleep because there was no reason to fear. The disciples were not perfect people. Their lack of faith is contrasted with the great faith of the Gentile Centurion earlier in this chapter (Matthew 8:10). There are times when you will encounter storms when following Jesus. Remember that Jesus is the Son of God who holds all authority in His hands. Very often we are overcome with fear because we are looking at the storm. Jesus is calling you fix your eyes on Him and turn your fear into faith.
Question for Bible Study
Can you recall a time when Jesus delivered you out of a storm?
Authority over spirits
v28-34 Jesus traveled a great distance to minister to two people who needed Him. The demon-possessed men were in bondage and experiencing tremendous suffering. The demons had to obey Jesus because He had all authority over Satan and the spiritual realm (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus had such authority and only needed one word to command the demons. The way the pigs reacted when the demons entered them reveals the amount of torment the two men endured. Instead of rejoicing that the demon-possessed men were made well, the people of the city rejected Jesus. Not everyone will receive Jesus or choose to acknowledge His authority. When should not be discouraged when we do not receive appreciation for doing good to others.
Question for Bible Study
Can you recall a time when you helped someone and received hostility instead of appreciation?
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