April 13, 2012
Jesus has the power, the strength, the ability, and the authority to free us from anything that holds us bondage. Not only does He have the ability, He wants to do it. "Lord, you can heal me if you will." And Jesus replies, "I will."
In Matthew 8 a man with leprosy went to Jesus; a Roman soldier went to Jesus; people with demons and other illnesses were taken to Jesus. We need to go to Jesus with whatever obstacle we are facing. He is willing. We need to have the desire. There was also another healing in this chapter. Jesus went to Peter's house and saw that his mother-in-law was ill. Jesus touched her hand; she was healed; and she go up and began to serve Jesus. I call this a "just because" healing. Jesus knew what she needed and He did it, just because. She was healed and then she began to serve Jesus.
When Jesus healed the man of leprosy He told him not to go and tell others about it. He instead told him to go and follow the laws Moses (God) commanded in the Old Testament, once again linking the Old Testament to the New Testament. By following the commands of the Old Testament, Jesus and His authority, would be revealed.
The Jews, even though they were God's chosen people, were now living under Roman rule because of their ancestors choices. A Roman soldier comes to Jesus to seek healing for his servant. A Roman! This was not someone who was raised with knowledge of God. He was not someone who was part of God's chosen people and therefore knew (or should have known) about Jesus' coming as foretold by the prophets in the Old Testament. No. He was someone who was in power over God's people, but he humbled himself, sought Jesus, and asked for healing for his servant. Jesus offered to go and heal him. The Roman soldier replied that he wasn't worthy for Jesus to come to his house. He said, "You only need to command it, and my servant will be healed." An outsider understood the power Jesus had, believed Him, and had faith in Him. And Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this is the greatest faith I have found, even in Israel." (Matthew 8:10)
Jesus' next statement is sobering. There will be many people, even "His" people, who knew of Him but did not know Him who will be left outside the gate.
There is a cost to following Jesus. Great crowds began to follow Jesus. People were enthused by all He was doing and saying. They wanted to join in on the movement. Jesus warned them. There is a cost in following me. You will have to give up your dreams and your security to follow me. This is not a "get well" quick movement. This is not a "get rich" quick scheme. This is a take up your cross and follow ME movement. It will cost you, but it will be worth it all.
Addendum: Today is Thanksgiving 2015. We had a wonderful time with family. We are so thankful for all God has done for us and for giving us the strength and stamina to survive these last nine years of "the storm."
Next Entry: Matthew 8:1–34 (Continued)
Jesus has the power, the strength, the ability, and the authority to free us from anything that holds us bondage. Not only does He have the ability, He wants to do it. "Lord, you can heal me if you will." And Jesus replies, "I will."
In Matthew 8 a man with leprosy went to Jesus; a Roman soldier went to Jesus; people with demons and other illnesses were taken to Jesus. We need to go to Jesus with whatever obstacle we are facing. He is willing. We need to have the desire. There was also another healing in this chapter. Jesus went to Peter's house and saw that his mother-in-law was ill. Jesus touched her hand; she was healed; and she go up and began to serve Jesus. I call this a "just because" healing. Jesus knew what she needed and He did it, just because. She was healed and then she began to serve Jesus.
When Jesus healed the man of leprosy He told him not to go and tell others about it. He instead told him to go and follow the laws Moses (God) commanded in the Old Testament, once again linking the Old Testament to the New Testament. By following the commands of the Old Testament, Jesus and His authority, would be revealed.
The Jews, even though they were God's chosen people, were now living under Roman rule because of their ancestors choices. A Roman soldier comes to Jesus to seek healing for his servant. A Roman! This was not someone who was raised with knowledge of God. He was not someone who was part of God's chosen people and therefore knew (or should have known) about Jesus' coming as foretold by the prophets in the Old Testament. No. He was someone who was in power over God's people, but he humbled himself, sought Jesus, and asked for healing for his servant. Jesus offered to go and heal him. The Roman soldier replied that he wasn't worthy for Jesus to come to his house. He said, "You only need to command it, and my servant will be healed." An outsider understood the power Jesus had, believed Him, and had faith in Him. And Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this is the greatest faith I have found, even in Israel." (Matthew 8:10)
Jesus' next statement is sobering. There will be many people, even "His" people, who knew of Him but did not know Him who will be left outside the gate.
Matthew 8:12 - "But those people who should be in the kingdom will be thrown outside into the darkness, where people will be cry and grind their teeth with pain."We can't put our faith in going to church. We can't claim safety because of a long ago sinners prayer. We must know Him. We must live out our faith. We must surrender ourselves to Him. We must believe. Our actions must match our words. And Jesus said to the Roman soldier, "Go home. Your servant will be healed just as you believed he would." (Matthew 8:13) And his servant was healed that same hour.
There is a cost to following Jesus. Great crowds began to follow Jesus. People were enthused by all He was doing and saying. They wanted to join in on the movement. Jesus warned them. There is a cost in following me. You will have to give up your dreams and your security to follow me. This is not a "get well" quick movement. This is not a "get rich" quick scheme. This is a take up your cross and follow ME movement. It will cost you, but it will be worth it all.
Addendum: Today is Thanksgiving 2015. We had a wonderful time with family. We are so thankful for all God has done for us and for giving us the strength and stamina to survive these last nine years of "the storm."
Next Entry: Matthew 8:1–34 (Continued)
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