Matthew 8:23-34

The authority of Jesus is unmatched. He demonstrates His authority over biology by three healings. He now demonstrates His authority over the realm of natural and the realm of the spiritual.

Caught in a terrible storm (the word storm is literally “shake” and is the typical word for earthquake) the disciples come to Jesus thinking they are about to die. To their credit, they use the two words most often associated with Jesus, “Lord” and “Save”. Jesus identifies two problems in the disciples; they have little faith and are timid. These are completely linked and one is the expression of the other. We however, are never told what the correct response to the storm would be. 1) Personally rebuke the storm, 2) Pray to the Father directly, 3) Ride the storm out and take what comes, or 4) Wake Jesus but without the drama of “We are perishing”. But no answer that comes out of a lack of faith and timidity would ever be correct. Perhaps, any answer that is based on faith and a bold belief in God would be correct.

As we live as disciples, where we go (within limits) is unimportant. Trust and obedience are. It is good to contemplate the contrast between obedience and timidity. Interrupting Jesus’ sleep and asking for help were not the problem. They did not believe and that caused them to act timidly. That storm was no accident; it was a test and in this case the disciples failed.

As soon as they land, Jesus meets two demon-possessed men. Other accounts mention only the spokesman, but Matthew mentions both men in order that there be two witnesses, which would have been important to the original Jewish audience. Jesus proves His authority over the powers of the spiritual realm by exorcising the demons. The rush of hogs provided a dramatic and visible demonstration of what had happened at the spiritual level. The cost of the hogs would have been about 400,000 dollars. The people come to Jesus and ask Him to leave their area. It is interesting that people are often more comfortable with familiar evil than the changes that are brought about by what is right and holy. For this reason, people prefer “pigs” to the Lord. It is also worth noting that the demons are more orthodox in their theology about who Jesus is than many “Liberal Christians”. At least they acknowledge that Jesus is the “Son of God”.

"Lord, thank you for the promise that You will never leave me nor forsake me.  Help me to live in faith because of that promise. AMEN"

Matthew 8:14-22

Matthew 8:14-22

Jesus heals three undesirables: a leper (v.3), a centurion's servant (v. 13), and a woman (v. 15). Hard on the heels of this, large crowds gather around Jesus wanting healing. With every success and a rise in popularity Jesus makes plans to leave. In this case to go across the lake where He is unknown. Why did Jesus consistently walk away from such large groups? One might conclude that Jesus saw popularity as counter productive to His mission.

Even in the context of the trip across the lake Jesus leaves two would-be traveling companions behind. One was described as an educated man. He was a white collar scholar rather than blue collar laborer. Matthew tells us that Jesus discouraged the scribe by pointing out that the demand of following Jesus is high. Jesus says, "Here's what being a disciple is like." The man doesn't follow. Did Jesus tell him, “No” or did he decide not to follow because the demands were too high?

Another comes to him and he is described as a disciple. He's willing to follow Jesus, but wants to bury his father. Whether the father is dead or not we don’t know. What is clear is that the call for the disciple to obey is not to be delayed. There are no terms whereby I, as a disciple, set terms for God. The call to follow takes priority over everything. There is no use in saying "I will follow on my terms". That is not the life of a disciple.

Jesus is calling the disciples away from success, popularity, and security and will lead them into difficulty. They are about to face life-threatening storms and the real tangible powers of the demonic. Jesus doesn't tell them what they will face. He tells them only to obey. He gave commands. He did not tell them what to expect. by doing so Jesus requires that His disciple trust Him and rely on Him in each moment.

There are many voices that demand my attention and obedience. My own voice is among them. But Jesus' voice is the only one I must hear and obey.

"Lord, please help me to live in full obedience to You in every moment. Give me eyes that are blind to security, popularity and success and only able to see You. AMEN

Matthew 8:1-13

Matthew 8:1-13

Jesus moves from words of authority to actions of authority, from the Sermon on the Mount to healing. First is the leper, his faith was such that he was confident in Jesus’ power if He was only willing. Jesus is always willing to do good. He is simply waiting for the request. It is worth noting that Jesus reached out. A little effort on our part is met with great effort on Jesus’ part. In the second healing, Jesus cares for another outsider, a Centurion. Jesus is eager to go with the Centurion to his home, which was a serious violation of Jewish expectations. The Centurion’s reply expresses the best faith in Israel saying that Jesus only needs to speak the word. These two healing pose two questions for me, which are, “Do I really believe Jesus can? Do I feel as if I merit Jesus' company?”

Jesus upsets the cultural norms radically by saying that not only will Gentiles be included, but they will be in place of some Jews. The common Jewish belief was that no son of Abraham would be lost. Here Jesus says not only could some be lost, but also will be replaced with Gentiles. Any sense of self-confidence and self-importance is absolutely removed. Those who imagine they are “in” based on some merit are out! In contrast, those who believe and ask for mercy will find it.

Here's what we can know. We are human and we cannot fix our problems. God is the one who is always right and who knows what ought to happen. If the Lord is willing (and he is) it works out. But we begin by knowing that we are not worthy and because of that we must trust in mercy. The Lord has moved, beyond any measure of condescension, down to the level to help the most unworthy if we will but ask. So, we ask for the Lord's help; that He may forgive and purify and heal because without that, we are without hope.

"Lord, I not only need your grace for the big stuff in life, my sin and brokenness, but also for every detail of living. Help me Lord today to ask for Your grace in every moment, every experience. AMEN