Matthew 8

Willing for Cleansing

When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.

2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,

6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

It's too small a thing to write or even speak about going before the Great King. How good a God he is to all who but would come to him in prayer. So often we don't come to him for a number of reasons. There's a leprous man that we'd see who suffered under his condition for some uncleanness to his body and soul. The text doesn't say exactly why he was stricken and that's hardly the whole point of the matter. As the man born blind would've testified, these things happen that God might be glorified. It seems can't nobody do it just as he can. He's the God whose name then we plead who heals all things of our bodies and souls. He's got the spirits covered too does he not, as though purging out all sin and uncleanness to the very last drop. Though Jesus when he had done the healing was not about to let this man return back to his sin, the places he'd wandered, wherever he'd been. Indeed, our God is able to save to the uttermost all them who'd come unto him. The showing to the priest rather for a testimony was given and also to illustrate the whole of the gospels. Indeed, it's not for nothing that our Lord keeps emphasizing the entireity of the Scriptures and the law and the prophets which he had came to fulfill. Though here the question was whether the Lord was willing to make the leper clean and when it comes on down to it our God is more than able and willing to do all his good pleasure at hand. The differece between a leper and centurion isn't much at first glance for when you're looking at it, the one suffers an uncleanness in their body and the other in the soul of their duties. Perhaps you don't know it but not everything commanded lines up with Scripture.

Waiting for Healing

7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

With the centurion it's certain one of two things is about to happen. Our God though isn't moved by position or authority or even the legions of men in his sight be they but many just as the demons and filled with all uncleanness within. Don't you know our God is willing to change all that down here below. Though it's the Father's good will to give us the kingdom. Indeed, whomsoever will may come because it's only of him. Nor is our God willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. The issue then truly is that not all have availed themselves of his will then at hand. In fact, it's his will that we're standing in and not of ourselves once again. Could it be the trouble with so many of us is that we've just gotten used to standing in the way of the Lord. This man here had plenty of servants and all of them feared him or at least they obeyed him well enough if that's any indication of inner heart matters. Though willing became a matter of no worth in his sight when it ran in with the I problem at hand. So often we hear the word I and think of the me and myself that comes trotting in when in reality we should just look as unto him. Our God isn't a man that he should lie, oh no. His power goes far deeper than that to the heart of the matter at hand. Though if there's some crowds following rest assured they're only here for our Lord. The centurion while he might've had great faith enough for the blessing was no match for the Lord when it came to condition. When it came to the Lord, he must also bow in his sight as does the lesser before whom the greater has come. As in John, he must increase and I must decrease because there's no greater one to whom we have come. Our God would've gathered them from whatever direction on into his kingdom. It's the Father calling them as unto him and not as I were just of men. Thus, the no worth has become something of eternity matters even that of our bodies and souls. There's many who would come because he's the good Sheperd and drawer instead. Though when it comes to the things of the Lord, he's gathering them on into his kingdom as the feast is prepared, the bridegroom is waiting, the guests are made ready, and the robes are washed white in his precious blood. Hence it's a gift of God not of works lest any man should boast. It follows though that salvation comes from the Lord because of the worth in his sight as of more value than many sparrows or them to whom he'd minister. Perhaps it wasn't worth very much getting a man into Heaven there at the end. Though it cost God the ultimate, the life of his Son that man would've been heled from a sin-sick disease or whatever the self-destructive condition instead. His blood avails to save to the uttermorst all who'd come unto him. Hence it's a powerful Word isn't it, better even that that of Abel's on back in Genesis.

Wondering Further

13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

14 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.

15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.

16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

Somehow the "I will" of the Lord runs on back into his sayings and doings again. See, the problem with some of us is that we don't rather be. Though of all things, we've been called the bride of Christ as unto him. It follows then that Lamb has called his own supper and bid his guests and so too he's made his bride ready to receive him as he would have anything else. Though like the guest who did not want to put on a wedding garment it follows with us that he's very much so patient and long-suffering at times yet still the God who keeps his whole people. Indeed, the God who keeps Jacob neither slumbers nor sleeps and you know what from the trouble he got in and where all he wandered no matter how steep and no matter how deep. The love of God it seems avails to these all his children and how often we'd have need of it truly this God it seems who would listen. Though he not only bore our sins and infirmities but our own unbelief of the matter at hand. So often some of us don't get our breakthroughs due to lack of our faith in the Lord. In the same particular region, some of the faith healers would've had you believe that the reason for not getting your healing or blessing or these having happened is due to a lack of your having seen. Let me tell you, my friends, eye has not seen nor has ear heard nor has it entered into the heart of man the wonders that God has prepared for them that love him and that's just where the purposes of God have come into the story. See, it's a calling rather as after his way and will once again. Even though eyes haven't seen yet still our God has left some believing in him of his people and this one particular was more than willing to just be a servant. So often we hear how that our God humbled himself unto death, being made of no reputation, taking on him the form of the servant there at the end. Though the belief of the centurion is a whole different matter. It follows then that there's Peter's mother at hand, well his wife's in particular though won't you know that a wife is pretty much the same as having in common the rest of the bunch. So often this business of marrying your spouse and in the same instant divorcing their family is just not of the Lord. Sure, there's times when our God has to step in and address a few certain problems. Indeed, he causes all our days to but praise his name and our troubles to lines up with breath of his Son. Even so too they all flee away before him just as Isaiah had promised before that he'd come to those who needed the most, the brokenhearted, the struggling them that were weak, and those who just needed to know that our God still reigns there in the end. Thus, there's Peter's mother in law who herself is having a problem. She's got a fever and though knowing the Lord, he's got the end from the beginning told out just as it were in days gone of old. Thus, the healing and the casting out of these demons were only part of the witness told any way thus, of his power and his glory, and of what he would must. So often it's not about us in the end but rather just that we've come on back to the source, that of the Lord.

Whithersoever He Goeth

18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.

19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.

Though at this point in time there's some question as to whether the people should be following after the Lord. Certainly it's one that would do us good truly to listen and so to do all his good will. He's faced with the question indeed of a Master who's so called down here below. Though knowing the heart of the people and also their issues, he's reluctant to allow it for then but to tell him simply to let the dead in his house take care of their matters. That is to say, there's a spiritual awakening when it comes to the Lord. It's not for the faint hearted nor even the ones who are asleep in the house and it's not to no reason or purpose of course. Sometimes in the crowd it's so easy to lose sight of the fact of the Mighty good Word. Surely if seeing is believing then we should get as close to him as we can then for rather though should he have anything left to say on the matter. So it was that the seeing gave way to the manner at hand. So often in this life we're faced with a choice. We've seen the miracles of the loaves and the bread and so too have seen everyone fed. There's a righting of wrongs and of setting all things right with his Son. Then again there's healing and grace for every time and in every place. See, the same God it was who spoke there in John is the same one who's power avails to heal who he would rather. In fact, it's henceforth that not all the healings are recorded in Matthew. It's instead told of in Luke where our God came and healed all that were sick and indeed preached the gospel to all who would listen and so too had he just told of the kingdom. It follows then that Mark comes along and with it is a bit of an awful swan song. It's our God isn't it whose the greatest that this world has to offer. Indeed for the followers, there's mercy and truth to be told of the kingdom as them that would follow him from a mighty long way even from Jacob's trouble all the way home in the end. To us it would seem our God has come a mighty long way to us here even where the trouble is raging and the Master's asleep or so some have though when it comes to disorder. With all that going on, there remains no sleep for the Master instead. It's a place without holes or a nest or anything anyway thus. Indeed with all of that still at hand, it's nice to know is it not that he's got us surrounded, the trouble covered and all our days have been numbered. So that when he calls time down here below it's only to take us back to his home that we know. Either he changes the situation or else he changes us then instead. Then when one of the disciples wished to take time out for bereavement and leave off from a following after as unto the Lord, he was there all the time no matter the place or the issue. Our God doesn't take holidays, don't you know that at first. Knowing this of him to whom we would minister,

Whying the Master

24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.

In fact, all nature turns out in obeying the Lord and there's a reason for it too that the God who created all things wants it not to suffer, none of it, just as he gave his own life that man might be merely reconciled on back to his Son. In fact, so often we might not understand the storms that come in this life for a reason. Even so the time that you're sailing into might seem senseless indeed. There's a reversal here too of all good things that he would from the ship being covered in waves instead of just a trust in the hand of the Lord. The great tempest too didn't arise from the deep but seemed to come ever so near to the disciples while the Master's asleep. Normally things like this stay well away from the Master. Though there's the whole separate sort of an issue of seeking the Savior instead. The disciples themselves were very much frightened as though God were not able to save them at all though what would've given that impression from all the things they had seen. They had seen his power and providing too long it had seemed to be phased now by some wind and some waves. Unless, these things hadn't been entirely natural but had been borne forth from the midst of their body and soul. The Master's question put to them about why the fearfulness came hadn't made much sense unless it was from a lack of trust in him from the first. So often when the Master's asleep and the nearest and dearest things to us seem to have passed without reason that's the time when his power is most able to come in and salvage the situation. Indeed, it's more than a salvage but a salvation instead as John would've said these arrived right on the other side of the pond almost as though there was no distance there with him or anything better than to work and to do all his good will. It's something too that all the effort in the world cannot possibly cure. Seeing the Master though cures whatever's the matter. So often in life we come across those that knowing his power and his will to have cured would rather he weren't anywhere visible. Instead of hiding his Word in their hearts and their lives, they've taken to stuffing their lights under candles and beds. Until the situation is such that there's fire in the house and instead of it being swept and it cleansed, there's a demon possessed that's been roaming all over the tombs without hope for a possible cure instead almost as one would a keeper simply of that of the dead. Nor could any come near I'm for as Scripture would say these couldn't be bound not even by chains. When it comes to the no man condition of this world and also of men it's only hope and it's cure is in catching sight of the Lord. So that his disciples had to instead of filled with themselves just had to have him with them. Only he can turn it around for some good and also a what is the matter from out of a who is your Master there then in full.

What of the Son

29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.

31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.

32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.

33 And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.

34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.

At this point in time, it seems there's much division among all the demons. They're alsmost as Paul would've said crept into silly women's houses and laden with sins. Though when you know Christ the Master, Ruler, and Lord or as the Governor rather who came to save his people here from their sins, these are a mighty long way from the kingdom instead. In fact, there's a number of differences that you might've noticed which impact our attempts to line up all the gospels. That is to say Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John don't stack together as neatly as some would've thought. In fact, a few of the more modern in theology circles have quite given up on teaching such nonsense then altogether. From what you'd just seen though only our God could make the torment an expression of continual praise. Though for those that would not rather I'm quite sure that eternity wouldn't be no comfort there to be had. In fact, when praise is as hated as much as the name of the Lord, it's the furtherest thing from some of these creatures much as to the people they should've been tending. In fact, he changes that thing that you see. Only he can do it from whether your troubles endure for a night and vanish the next morning in the light of his song which he sings over us all the day long or else he keeps us above and within in them for as long as he needs and so too his blood should we plead. That's a governor already isn't it just not as the scribes and the sages however unwise. In fact, he's the regulator both of the trouble and also our conduct expression though some of us might've not seen this except in the light of his Son. Then too there's another issue of the Master asleep in the boat though without foxes or holes or a place to lay his head there and rest. In fact, this sleep is almost as some would've said as that of the just. It's not that our Lord is tired or quite possibly dead, oh no, nor was he in the garden when telling the disciples to keep watch with him then instead. In fact, he's the God of our own hearts and our lives. So that the trouble no matter how great must bow to his will and simply eventually cease and be controlled by him then in full. In fact, if it endures at the time it's so we might see of the God who'd come save us with a mighty big sword. Whether walking on water or asleep in the stern, he's the same God who's been there all this time having as some would've said been there all along. The only thing changed is our position relative to him in the end tht the troubles no matter how high or whatever may come may all vanish away in but the breath of his Son. Though it might be seen that upon meeting the Master the troubles will cease but the task endures as long as he will for he alone has ordained that and also the passing on over of what should've been but as nothing in the light of his Son. Then when it comes to the demon possession whether there was one or of two which were keeping the country side open or as we'd say totally closed, the Lord commands an army of angels whether fallen or those simply who trust to do his good will. Thus, being their Governor rather, the fallen also must serve him no matter how many affected of one or of hundreds and so he makes all the circumstances be in other way then. In fact, staying close to the Master means there's not he who can harm you. So that when the crowds came to meet him instead, their begging was strange. In fact, we'll see it next time when it comes to our Lord with it too our own great reward.