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Matthew’s Miracle Section - Matthew 8 and 9
Matthew’s Miracle Section - Matthew 8 and 9
Matthew arranges his material by putting several of the miracle stories together. These are placed in chapters 8 and 9, immediately after the sermon on the mount. The sermon left the people in awe. Now, the miracles confirm that God approves of His teaching.
He healed a leper (8:1-4), the Centurion’s servant (5-13), Peter’s mother-in-law (14-15), the woman with the bleeding problem (9:20-22). Two blind men were given their sight back (9:27-31). He raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead (9:18-19, 23-26). He cast out powerful demons (8:28-9:1; 9:32-34). He displayed his authority over the physical creation by stopping a storm (8:23-27). He healed the palsied man, declaring his power to also forgive sins (9:2-9). Matthew includes general statements of healing MANY (8:16-17) and Matthew writes that He healed EVERY sickness and EVERY disease (9:35).
As you think on these things, many observations can be made:
1) Jesus’ compassion, empathy displayed in such healing – He CARED
2) His power was not limited to certain ‘types’ of problems
3) He healed in many different ways
4) Such healings were complete and immediate
5) Such included authority over demons
6) Such were openly done in public, in front of doubters and opposition
7) Such was testimony of WHO He was
8) Such fulfilled prophecy concerning the Christ – ‘this was to fulfill’ what Isaiah wrote.
EVEN with all of this, there were mixed reactions to such signs! Some chose to follow Him, prompting His teaching on discipleship (8:18-22). The Apostles and others were AMAZED (27), others ‘awe-struck’ and glorified God (9:8), whole crowds were amazed (33). Demons obeyed and feared Him, prompting the Pharisees to accuse Him of being in league with and receiving his power from the ruler of the demons (34). A whole city asked him to LEAVE their region! Others chose to become disciples and follow him. The apostles left all and dedicated the rest of their lives to preaching the message that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God.
As John said at the end of his gospel: “many other signs Jesus did… these are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and believing, you might have life in His name” (John 20:30-31). You have the privilege of having the testimony of many witnesses concerning the many signs that Jesus did, what is YOUR response?
Hugh DeLong
