Matthew 8:14-22

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

His Miracles Affirm Jesus Christ as Messiah; Teaching on Discipleship

The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 showed the moral and spiritual qualities of the kingdom. What do the miracles in Matthew 8-9 show?
How is the arrangement of the miracles in Matthew 8 significant?
Is Isaiah 53:4, “He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses,” a present promise of healing from disease?
What did Jesus mean by, “Let the dead bury their own dead” ?

Jesus’ miracles show the power of the King.
Together they seem to give us a picture of God’s program for the kingdom of heaven. a. The healing of the leper pictures Christ’s first advent, when He came to heal the nation of Israel from their sin, if they would ask Him. b.The healing of the centurion’s servant portrays the present state of the kingdom of heaven. The Lord finds greater faith among the Gentiles than among the Israelites. The Lord was not physically present, yet He was able to heal. c. In the future the Lord will return to the house of Israel, as pictured by His healing of Peter’s mother-in-law. d. The Lord cast out many demons, picturing His work during the millennial kingdom, when Satan will be bound.
No, Jesus did not die on the cross for our sicknesses. This prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus’ healing ministry.
Let those who are spiritually dead bury the physically dead- you have higher priorities.

Discuss the connection between sin and sickness. Sickness entered the world when Adam and Eve sinned. In the Eternal State, there will be no more death or sickness. Jesus died on the cross so that all the problems associated with sin (included sickness) can ultimately be removed. Disease will be eliminated when all effects of sin are removed. (Remember, when a believer is sick it does not mean that they specifically are lacking faith.)
In Matthew 8 a would-be disciple wanted to wait until his father had died, the family affairs were taken care of, and his inheritance was collected before he followed the Lord. Jesus told him, Now is the time; if you want to be a disciple, you need to change your priorities now. Discipleship demands a change in priorities. How do your priorities line up with God’s? Challenge one another to place the Lord first, and let the other priorities follow.

Peter’s mother-in-law served the Lord immediately after she was healed. When we are saved, we are healed from our sin. If you are saved, the Lord wants you to be serving! As a Christian, you are never too young to serve.

“He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.” Matthew 8:15
“Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Matthew 8:20
“Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” Matthew 8:22