October 21, 2019
Unlike Any Other
Matthew 8
Chris Hatley
Central Truth
We love fitting people into boxes. We desperately want others to align with our expectations for them. Jesus, however, never gives us that opportunity. In fact, He defies every expectation. He is truly the most extraordinary man to ever live. Jesus is unlike any other.
Key Verse | Matthew 8:27
And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?"
Matthew 8
Jesus Cleanses a Leper
1 When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And behold, a leper 1 8:2 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13 came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 3 And Jesus 2 8:3 Greek he stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”
The Faith of a Centurion
5 When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, 3 8:9 Or bondservant ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel 4 8:10 Some manuscripts not even in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
Jesus Heals Many
14 And when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. 16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”
The Cost of Following Jesus
18 Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 21 Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 22 And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”
Jesus Calms a Storm
23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”
Jesus Heals Two Men with Demons
28 And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, 5 8:28 Some manuscripts Gergesenes; some Gerasenes two demon-possessed 6 8:28 Greek daimonizomai (demonized); also verse 33; elsewhere rendered oppressed by demons men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” 30 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” 32 And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.
Footnotes
[1] 8:2 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13[2] 8:3 Greek he
[3] 8:9 Or bondservant
[4] 8:10 Some manuscripts not even in Israel
[5] 8:28 Some manuscripts Gergesenes; some Gerasenes
[6] 8:28 Greek daimonizomai (demonized); also verse 33; elsewhere rendered oppressed by demons
Dive Deeper | Matthew 8
Take a look at Matthew 8 with me. Read through its several scenes. Focus on Jesus. What do you see?
I see a man capable of healing diseases, casting out demons, and calming storms. He does these things with the touch of His hand and the power of His words. These aren't difficult or tiresome tasks for Him. They are done as an overflow of who Jesus is. He is a healer, defender, and author. He is King of all creation. Nothing falls outside His power and authority. Not illness, not disease, not demons, not winds, not seas, not you, not me.
He creates, commands, and sustains all of existence. Turn to Colossians 1:15-20. Everything, including the diseased bodies Jesus one day healed, and the raging seas he one day stilled, was "created through him and for him." More than that, "in him all things hold together." Of course Jesus is able to heal the sick and calm the storm. It is only because of Him that the very particles and atoms hold together. He authored the biology, physics, and chemistry that are behind every heartbeat and thunderstorm. Hebrews 1:1-10 sings of this same story. Jesus "upholds the universe by the word of his power." He "laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning and the heavens are the work of your hands." Hebrews 2:8 says that "he left nothing outside his control."
Passages like these shout that Jesus is completely unlike any other. He refuses to fit into our boxes. Our simple definitions will almost always fall short. Matthew 8 not only paints us a picture of Jesus ruling over creation, it also paints us a picture of what it means to follow our King. Following Jesus means we must be willing to leave everything behind. Everything we hold as precious in this life. Even our loved ones (Matthew 8:22). Jesus hears whatever excuse we might bring and still says, "Follow me. That can wait."
So who is this man? This man is the King Jesus. And unbelievably, this King died so that you might truly live.
Discussion Questions
1. Who do you think Jesus is? When you picture Jesus, what do you see? Is He tall? Handsome? Charismatic? What color is his skin?
2. Does the character of Jesus ever surprise or impress you? When is He confusing or difficult to understand? Do you feel like you get Him perfectly?
3. What about Jesus seems most amazing?
4. What hurt in your life do you wish Jesus would heal? What storm in your life do you wish Jesus would calm?
5. When have you come to Jesus demanding answers? How does it change things to come to Him humble and expectant?
6. If Jesus doesn't amaze, excite, surprise, or impress you, spend some time praying about it. He is the most fascinating and influential person in all of history. Pray that you might believe that more sincerely.
7. What might Jesus be calling you to leave behind to follow Him? Where is it that you lack faith that He is in control?