Miracles Of The Master
– Matthew
Eight –
Jesus
did undeniable miracles that proved Him to be the Son of God. "And truly
Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which
are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in
His name." (John 20:30-31.) Nicodemus had it right when he said of Jesus,
"...no one can do these things that you do unless God is with Him."
(John 3:2)
A
miracle is an event or actions that could not be produced by man or nature. It
is a supernatural event that goes beyond natural law. In Bible days no one had
to try to defend miracles or prove that they were done. They were so out of the
ordinary that they either happened or they did not happen. Many people saw
Bible miracles; therefore none could deny that they were real. Even the enemies
of Christianity admitted that miracles were done in Bible days! Matthew eight
lists several of Jesus' miracles.
Some
miracles of Jesus – Matthew 8:1-15: In Matthew 8:1-4 the great multitudes followed him.
They did not follow Him with their hearts but they walked along with Him. A
leper came in faith to the only one that could help. He knew Jesus could
help if it
was His will.
Healing
leprosy was beyond anything that
humans could accomplish. This was a miraculous act by the Lord.
"Immediately" is a key word in this story. Jesus was willing and the
man's leprosy was healed immediately. After leprosy was healed the Law
required certain ceremonial things. Jesus sent the man forth to meet those
requirements. (Leviticus 14)
The
next miracle involved the healing of a centurion's servant. He was sick of the
palsy, grievously tormented. (Matthew 8:5-13) This centurion, recognizing the
authority of the words of Jesus, asked help for his sick servant. Jesus
commended the faith of the centurion. The "servant was
healed that same hour." The Lord said of the faith of the
centurion, "I have not found such great faith, not even in
Jesus
also healed Peter's mother-in-law. (Matthew 8:14-15) The touch of the Master's
hand cured her of a great fever. She was healed quickly and immediately. She
then arose and served them. Peter was married and therefore does not fit the
idea of a Pope. Peter was neither the first Pope nor a Pope at all.
Miracles
demanded a following – Matthew 8:16-22: Matthew tells us the Jesus did that which
Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would do. (Matthew 8:16-17) "When
evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He
cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick." (Matthew
8:16.) Isaiah had said, "He Himself took our infirmities and bore our
sickness." (Isaiah 53:4) Observe carefully that Jesus healed all that
were sick and He simply did it "with a word."
The
text in Isaiah likely refers to the taking away of our sin. However, the lesson
is clear, just as Jesus healed the physical infirmities He is able to heal
(forgive) the sins of the soul. Matthew referred to the prediction of Isaiah,
concerning miraculous healing of physical bodies as a prophecy of the salvation
of souls by Jesus.
Discipleship
cost and those that follow Jesus must make the necessary sacrifices. Jesus
said, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the
Son of man hath not where to lay his head." Those that followed Jesus were
called upon to give up many of the comforts of life. Those that follow Him do
not do so for earthly gain. Nothing must be allowed to interfere with our
spiritual service to Christ. "But Jesus said to him, follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead." (Matthew
8:22.) Jesus is the Son of God. His miracles prove Him to be so. He deserves
our following.
Miracle of
the wind and waves – Matthew 8:23-27: Jesus had power even over the wind and the
waves. As He and his disciples were in a small ship they were about to be sunk
by a storm. Jesus was sleeping when His disciples awoke Him in fear saying,
"Lord, save us: we perish." Jesus arose and "rebuked the winds
and the sea; and there was a great calm." The disciples marveled saying,
"Even the winds and the sea obey Him." Many today claim the same
miraculous power and yet none of them ever quite the storms. They are thus
proven false teachers that claim false miracles and no one marvels at what they
do!
Have
you ever felt that life was just shaking you in every direction and that you
were sinking quickly? If so you should easily recognize the need for having
Jesus in the boat of life with you. Those that sail the ship of life without
Jesus face certain disaster!
Miracle of
healing the demon-possessed – Matthew 8:28-34: Jesus also healed two very
pitiful demon possessed men. These men were exceedingly fierce, living in the
tombs. They were so fierce that no one could travel that way. The demons
recognized Jesus as the Son of God! They said "If you force us out, please
send us into those pigs!" The demons were allowed to go into a herd of
swine that were drowned into the sea. When the hogs were drowned the people
that were taking care of them ran to town and told others what had happened.
"The whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they
besought him that he would depart out of their coasts."
Notice
the change that takes place when Jesus touches a person's life. The demons had
brought these two men to a place that was uncomfortable and distressing. This
made them even more wild and fierce. But when Jesus touched their lives all of
that turmoil was gone. No words can describe the change that Jesus can bring to
a person's heart, life and situations. Sadly, just like these demon possessed
ones many have nothing to do with Jesus; they miss the benefits of His blood,
they miss His grace and His righteousness. Jesus cannot be Savior for those
that have nothing to do with Him.
Instead
of asking Jesus to leave their region these people should have recognized Him
as Lord and Christ. There was no doubt that the demons that were in those men
were subject to Christ. He cast them out by a word or command. The men were
made whole in mind and body. Jesus wanted to make all of
these people whole but they asked Him to leave! This sad account is
repeated in many lives today as people tell the Savior to get out of their
region.
The
miracles prove that Jesus is the Son of God. If you believe that He is God's
Son you will want Him in your life. You will not ask Him to leave. Hear His
word (Romans