Leper cleansed
Mat 8:1 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.
Crowds would make it difficult to walk in a normal way.
Mat 8:2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
This was the first time in the gospel that Jesus was referred to as Lord. This word usually was translated Yahweh, the title for God.
Mat 8:3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Leprosy was a loathsome disease. The leper was not allowed to approach anyone, it was not lawful. They were to yell "unclean," to warn others. Jesus touched the leper and healed him. He healed everyone who came to him in faith.
Have you something that man cannot heal? Leprosy had no known cure. The Leper came to Jesus, we can do this also.
Mat 8:4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, show thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
Tell no man, already it was becoming difficult to walk with so many following him. Also, the Jewish leaders would be jealous and seek to kill him, restricting his moving around in Jerusalem.
There were ceremonial cleansing rites required; The leper had to bring offerings as described in the ceremonial laws in Leviticus 14.
Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
If you have a need, ask others to pray with you to touch the hem of Jesus garment. He will heal those that man cannot heal.
Prayer of Authority
Mat 8:5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
Mat 8:6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
Mat 8:7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
A Roman soldier, a man of authority asked Jesus to heal his servant. Jesus was willing to come and heal him.
Mat 8:8 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.
The soldier put himself under Jesus, humbling himself; just speak and my servant shall be healed. There is power in the spoken word of Jesus.
Heb 1:2 (God) Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Yes, Jesus has power to speak and the worlds are made. He also has power to heal, if we come to him humbly, in faith and ask him. When Jesus speaks, prayers are answered. Many, many prayers may be made, but when Jesus speaks, the request is done. Faith meets the will of God, power is released and healing comes. Jesus has authority to heal.
Mat 8:9 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.
Mat 8:10 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.
Mat 8:11 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.
Mat 8:12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Jesus speaks of the many Gentiles who would come into the kingdom by faith. And, the children of Gods covenant, the unbelieving Jews, shall be cast out, because they would not believe God's promised Messiah. They wanted there own way and could not receive God's way of life everlasting.
John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
I have talked to people about Jesus, who responded, you will never get me to believe in Jesus. There words condemned them. For there is no other way to be saved.
Mat 8:13 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.
Another important step of faith, Go thy way, and as you believe let it be done unto you. Those who think negative things need to hear this message. Faith in Jesus is positive faith that brings forth results. We can confess positive things, yet they must be of God's promises in the Bible. We do not use Jesus to achieve our will, unless our will is in the will of Jesus. Jesus IS willing to heal. He healed everyone who came to him in faith. I do not imply that those who have never been healed are not of faith, yet from God's word we know that he has healed others of faith, why not us? No condemnation in Jesus, let all be done to glorify him, he is worthy and able. Walk in his Spirit, believing he will answer your need. Then give God the glory.
Jesus healed all
Mat 8:14 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.
From this verse we see that Peter was married and his mother in law was sick of a fever.
Mat 8:15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.
Jesus healed in many ways. He touched her hand and healing power left him; and she arose and served him. I remember my mother who had hospitality. She would serve coffee or tea with cookies, pie or cake. She always had something special to serve.
Mat 8:16 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:
How were evil spirits cast out? He spoke; his word has power to cast out devils. So many illnesses are from the devil, depression, mental illness and many others are not from God. Let Jesus speak the word, and they will flee, as satan left Jesus at the temptation in the desert. He quoted scripture. We can do that too, in Jesus name. He healed ALL that were sick. In the presence of Jesus is healing, or through his word sent, as with the centurion's servant.
Mat 8:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
Some say Jesus only died for our sins, this verse ties in to the prophecy of Isaiah. Jesus also paid for our infirmities and sicknesses. Speak this verse to your infirmity.
Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Will you follow Jesus?
Mat 8:18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.
Mat 8:19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
Many were impressed by the healings of Jesus. They wanted to be where the action was. Jesus hearing the scribes words, gave him a taste of what being a disciple means. Jesus did not live a life of luxury, although popular, he lived simply.
Mat 8:20 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.
No home? No posessions to rely on? This is not what the prosperity teachers teach. They say, Jesus will bless you abundantly financially, really? Are not the greatest riches of the soul following Jesus, no matter what?
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Jesus is our reward and our prosperity of the soul. One commentator said that Jesus took the curse of poverty upon himself, that we would prosper.
3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Wealth will do no good, if we are bound. Lord unbind us from all restraints, that keep us from serving you in abundance.
Mat 8:21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
In other words, I will be free to follow you when my father dies. Jesus did not accept his excuse. What excuses do we use for not completely following the Lord?
Mat 8:22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
Let the dead, bury the dead. Let the spiritual dead bury the spiritually dead, but let those who receive Jesus follow him without looking back. Jesus must be first. We must put Jesus above all else if we are to be his disciple. Are we not to care for an aged father? Yes, see that he is cared for, but put Jesus first. Then whatever you do to the least of these, ye have done it unto Jesus. (Mat 25:45)
Love the Lord first with all your heart, mind and soul.
Peace in the Storm
Mat 8:23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
Mat 8:24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
The humanity of Jesus was asleep, from all the activity and demands of the crowds of people. The storm did not bother him. His disciples were fishermen, they were used to storms. This must have been a tremendous storm, a tempest of wind and rain, somewhat like we have recently experienced in the Northwest; with the wind knocking down trees. They were at sea with the wind blowing waves in the boat, filling the boat faster then they could bail it out, they, in their boating experience knew that they were about to sink.
Mat 8:25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.
They knew where to go for help in the storm, they went to master Jesus. Save us; do you know that Jesus saves? Thirty years ago that phrase could be found on fences, on bumper stickers, even painted on boulders beside the highways; "Jesus Saves." Saves what? Many have no idea what Jesus saves. He saves you from sin's punishment and hell. The disciples were worried about perishing at sea, they turned to Jesus trusting in him to help. We too must turn to Jesus to keep from perishing, he is the way to life, trust in Jesus and be saved.
Mat 8:26 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.
He awakened, and Jesus the Living Word spoke. Did he commend them for trusting in him? No, he rebuked them, before he rebuked the tempest. He said, O ye of little faith. How did they show lack of faith? Think of our own circumstances, do we face the trials of life with faith or with fear? Do we panic when the storms come? Trusting Jesus is good, but do we run right by Jesus in our panic, trying to solve problems our own way? Will Jesus say to us, O ye of little faith? Jesus cares, trust in our Lord, he cares for you.
Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
When Jesus arises, there is peace. He first arose from the grave giving us victory over death. Our peace is from his resurrection. Jesus spoke to Martha concerning the resurrection, when her brother Lazarus was in the grave.
John 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
John 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Mat 8:27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
In the gospel of Mark, the same story of the tempest is told adding a bit more to the story.
Mark 4:40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
Mark 4:41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
Their fear of the sea was greater then their faith in Jesus. They trusted in Jesus as the last resort. After Jesus calmed the sea, their fear was placed towards Jesus, the Son of God. He is the resurrection and the life; In him is eternal life and peace in the storms of life.
Casting out many demons
Mat 8:28 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 Mark's gospel, only one man is mentioned. Perhaps this is because he had more demons, and his was a greater miracle, when he became a follower.
Mark 5:2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
Mark 5:3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
Mark 5:4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.
Mark 5:5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
Mark 5:6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,
Mark 5:7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
Mat 8:29 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?
The devils always testified that Jesus was the Son of the most high God. They also know their end, as does satan; eternal torment in the fiery pit. This was the place created for satan and his angels. Jesus had compassion on the soul of each man. So should we, when we encounter demons, love the soul and tell them of Jesus and forgiveness.
Mark 5:8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.
The Greek verb tense for "come out" shows that Jesus repeatedly told the demons to leave. Some are harder to remove, even resisting the Living Word of God.
Mark 5:9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
Legion, in a Roman army was 6000 men. There were a great multitude of unclean spirits in the man, making it a bit more difficult to remove them. But not too difficult for Jesus.
Mat 8:30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
Mat 8:31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
To the Jew, a pig was an unclean animal. The demons needed to be in something, they feared being cast in the pit. A word of caution when commanding demons to leave, also command them to leave the dwelling and to stay away from those who are present. One more caution, is to be sure to lead the person to Jesus, or the demons will return with seven times more.
Mat 12:45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
When Jesus casts out spirits, they are removed. These spirits entered a herd of swine.
Mat 8:32 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.
Demons are no good, being satans helpers, they come to steal, kill and destroy. They immediately destroyed the weaker willed pigs.
Mat 8:33 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.
Mat 8:34 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.
Wow, they told them to leave. They were more concerned with their local economy then with the souls of the two men. May we never put money or pigs, (or pigskins) ahead of people. One of the men wanted to follow Jesus, as told by Mark.
Mark 5:18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.
Mark 5:19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
Mark 5:20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
The testimony of the man was greater in the place where he was delivered. He brought glory to God. The other man? Perhaps he was not saved. Not all who receive miracles receive salvation. Salvation is the greatest miracle.
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