July 20, Matthew 8
It must have been exciting to see the miracles. Imagine being among the band of disciples traveling with him as Jesus touched, yes, touched a leper, and the unclean one was cleansed. He commended the faith of a Gentile soldier who believed Jesus could heal his servant with an authoritative word and without being in the sick man’s presence. Jesus granted the request. Later at Peter’s house, many sick people (including Peter’s mother-in-law) and demon-oppressed people were healed by his word and by his touch. It was happening just as Isaiah said it would in the old prophecy: Messiah “took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”
Imagine the crowd of desperate people, curiosity seekers and genuinely interested fledgling disciples who would be all around him as news spread of what was happening. He warned would-be followers that the price was high for those who chose to go with him. They would share in his poverty and be called to put him ahead of the dearest relations on earth if they chose to follow him.
The core disciples must have been on an emotional roller coaster when the storm threatened their lives, only to hear Jesus calm the winds and sea with a word. Then came the confrontation with the demon-possessed pair at Gadara. Were the disciples scared like the people of the region when the pigs drowned in the sea after Jesus allowed the demons to inhabit the swine?
The disciples’ question in the aftermath of the storm was a good one for them to ponder, and for you and me. “What sort of man is this?” Like the eyewitnesses, we have some decisions to make about Jesus after reading about the amazing demonstration of his power.
Were the people who got well, or who were set free from cruel demon possession, blessed by God? Could anyone do these things without God’s power? Were the claims made by John and echoed by other witnesses true? Would we be persuaded to follow regardless of what it cost us? Or is it possible we’d be more like the Gadarenes, who were terrified about what had happened, but instead of accepting his claims, begged him to go away and leave them alone?
I want to think I’d be right behind him, leaving everything to be his disciple. But I do honestly wonder if skepticism, fear of change, peer pressure from unbelieving leaders and a host of other impediments might have blinded me to what seems so obvious. I wonder because some of the same factors are still discouraging people from faith and discipleship today. In the face of compelling evidence, some people are still asking him to move along.
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide
for Your Journey Through the New Testament,
Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used
by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—July 2024
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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