2025.03.09. Sermon Notes. Faith, Worship, Healing, Teaching and Miracles
THE HEALING MINISTRY OF CHRIST - MATTHEW 8
William Akehurst, HSWC
BIG IDEA. Faith, Worship, and the Healing Ministry of CHRIST. When it comes to our need for healing, we need to understand that HE CAN, but WILL HE?
Scriptures: Matthew 4:23-24, Matthew 7:28-29, Matthew 8:1-34, Exodus 4:6-7, Isaiah 1:4-6, Mark 1:41, Mark 1:44-45, Numbers 6:6-7, Psalms 89:8-9, John 10:10
MATTHEW 8:1-34 THE HEALING MINISTRY OF CHRIST
Let’s first look back at an important and foundational verse for Matthew’s Gospel:
Matthew 4:23-24 23 And JESUS went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. 24 Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and HE healed them.
REVIEW: Matthew chapters 5-7 told us about THE TEACHING MINISTRY OF CHRIST
Now HE tells us more about the healing ministry of JESUS, and how His works confirmed His words.
Last week, we ended Matthew 7 with People astonished with the Teaching Authority of JESUS.
Matthew 7:28-29 28 And so it was, when JESUS had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, 29 for HE taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Matthew 8:1-34
JESUS CLEANSES A LEPER (MARK 1:40–45; LUKE 5:12–16)
1-2 THE LEPER’S REQUEST.
1 When HE had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. 2 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
When HE had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him:
The miracles of JESUS attracted attention, as did his teaching.
Behold, a leper came and worshipped Him:
Before medicines and treatments, leprosy was a terrible disease with no cure. This leper felt hopeless, so HE came to JESUS out of great need and desperation.
The Law Concerning Leprosy - Leviticus 13:1-59, 14:1-57,
Don’t touch a leper - Leviticus 22:4-6
Numbers 4:1-4
Leprosy – most feared of all diseases. A death sentence. Considered a curse of GOD
Miriam – Sin, thought it unfair that Moses was the leader. ‘Who put you in charge?’ (Numbers 12:1-15) Divine discipline
King Uzziah – Sin against GOD (2 Chronicles 26:16-21) Prosperous King, wanted to be a priest to burn incense, Priests warned, King defied. Leprosy began on his forehead and HE was a leper until HE died. GOD judgment on Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:16-21)
Naaman – Healed of Leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-17)
(William Barclay) “Leprosy might begin with the loss of all sensation in some part of the body; the nerve trunks are affected; the muscles waste away; the tendons contract until the hands are like claws. There follows ulceration of the hands and feet. Then comes the progressive loss of fingers and toes, until in the end a whole hand or a whole foot may drop off. The duration of that kind of leprosy is anything from twenty to thirty years. It is a kind of terrible progressive death in which a man dies by inches.”
Remember Moses at the Burning Bush, and his “Leprous hand”. That must have put the fear of GOD in Moses!
Exodus 4:6-7 6 …the LORD said to [Moses], “Now put your hand in your bosom.” And HE put his hand in his bosom, and when HE took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, like snow. 7 And HE said, “Put your hand in your bosom again.” So HE put his hand in his bosom again, and drew it out of his bosom, and behold, it was restored like his other flesh.
Jewish law states that people should keep a distance of 6 feet from a leper. And if the wind is blowing from the leper towards someone, they should stay 150 feet away.
And The worst thing is to touch a leper or a dead body.
Leprosy as a picture of Sin (Isaiah 1:4-6)
Isaiah 1:4-6
4 Alas, sinful nation,
A people laden with iniquity,
A brood of evildoers,
Children who are corrupters!
They have forsaken the LORD,
They have provoked to anger
The Holy One of Israel,
They have turned away backward.
5 Why should you be stricken again?
You will revolt more and more.
The whole head is sick,
And the whole heart faints.
6 From the sole of the foot even to the head,
There is no soundness in it,
But wounds and bruises and putrefying sores;
They have not been closed or bound up,
Or soothed with ointment.
Leprosy is like Sin and its Consequences.
It is a disease that spreads easily and makes people feel very weak and lifeless. Because of this, society and religious people often treat lepers poorly. Rabbis especially disliked lepers, believing them as people punished by God who did not deserve kindness.
A leper came and worshipped Him, saying LORD
Despite his desperate condition, this man not only begged JESUS – HE also worshipped Him.
WORSHIP mentioned 3 times thus far in MATTHEW
Matthew 2:1-2. The Maggi Wisemen came to worship the King of the Jews.
Matthew 4:10 JESUS in the wilderness. Satan said to JESUS, if you bow down before me, I’ll give you all the kingdoms of the world. JESUS responded “you are to only worship the LORD GOD”
MATTHEW 8:2 This Leper
How did the leper worship JESUS?
BELIEF: HE went to JESUS because HE believed JESUS had the power to heal him.
NAME: HE called JESUS 'Lord' to show respect.
HUMILTIY: HE was humble and asked JESUS without demanding.
FAITH: HE had faith that JESUS could make him healthy and clean.
This leper’s calling JESUS as LORD is the first time in the gospel that JESUS is called Lord.
In the KJV, the capitalized “LORD” translates from the Hebrew word YHWH, Yahweh.
Matthew’s gospel is written for people who understood the Jewish meaning of that word.
POINT: Calling JESUS - LORD, implies JESUS’ Authority.
REFLECTION: Remember in Matthew chapter 7 when JESUS spoke to those who said “Lord, Lord” to which HE responded, “Depart from me, I never knew you”.
COMMENT: Charles Spurgeon writes “Those who call JESUS ‘Lord,’ and do not worship him, are more diseased than the leper was.”
POINT: WORSHIP is KEY in our RELATIONSHIP with the LORD.
Lord, if You are willing:
The leper had no doubt whatsoever about the ability of JESUS to heal. His only question was if JESUS was willing to heal. HE believed in the POWER of JESUS.
POINT: HE CAN, BUT WILL HE?
Not CAN you…rather WILL you? Is it GOD’s Will?
Is there anything to hard for GOD? NO.
It’s not a matter of CAN, it’s a matter of WILL
Not CAN GOD do it, but WILL GOD do it.
It’s a matter of GOD’s WILL.
PRAYER: Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean
This leper wanted more than just to be healed. HE wanted to be cleansed, not just from the leprosy, but also from all the bad effects it had on his life and soul.
3 JESUS TOUCHES THE LEPER AND HE IS CLEANSED.
3 Then JESUS put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
JESUS reached out and touched the leper. (Who was NOT to be touched!)
Mark 1:41 Then JESUS, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”
Mark 1:41 says that when JESUS saw the leper, HE felt compassion. It had been a long time since the leper had seen someone show him kindness.
JESUS didn’t NEED to touch the leper to heal him. HE could have healed him without touching him. But HE CHOSE to touch the leper.
REMEMBER: Touching a leper was against the rules, which made it even more special for the man. And as soon as JESUS touched him, HE was healed!
I am willing:
When JESUS said, “I am willing,” HE answered the leper’s question and reassures us that JESUS is willing to heal.
POINT: We should believe that JESUS wants to heal us unless HE tells us otherwise.
Immediately his leprosy was gone
The leper’s life changed forever. HE was not just healed; HE was also cleansed as he asked. JESUS had said, “Ask and it will be given to you” (Matthew 7:7). This was true for the now cleansed leper.
This is the first individual healing or specific case mentioned by Matthew.
4 JESUS TELLS THE HEALED MAN TO ONLY SHARE HIS HEALING WITH THE PRIESTS.
4 And JESUS said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
See that you tell no one:
JESUS often told people to keep quiet about their healings or miracles HE performed.
JESUS' miracles were not mainly meant to make Him famous, even though they did show His ministry. Instead, HE healed to help specific individuals and to show the power of the Messiah with love and care for the needs of humble people.
JESUS was careful about how people saw HIM because HE didn't want to be known just as a miracle worker or a hero. That was NOT HIS Mission. And HE was worried that this could lead to a misunderstanding of His true purpose.
Mark tells us that the leper did not obey JESUS but instead HE went out and began to proclaim it freely
Mark 1:44-45 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 45 However, HE went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that JESUS could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.
Show yourself to the priest:
Going to the priest would help the former leper rejoin society as per the law. Leviticus 13-14
JESUS HEALS A CENTURION’S SERVANT (LUKE 7:1–10)
5-6 JESUS IS APPROACHED BY A ROMAN CENTURION.
5 Now when JESUS had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”
When JESUS had entered Capernaum:
Matthew 4:13 tells us this is where JESUS lived; HE came and dwelt in Capernaum.
A centurion came to Him:
Centurions are officers in the Roman army and were typically honorable good men (Gentiles).
This centurion saw his servant differently.
Roman law allowed a master to kill his servant or slave, and it was common to do so if the slave became sick or injured and could no longer work, similar to how one might put down an animal.
Pleading with Him:
The centurion made a serious request. Matthew says HE was asking JESUS to help his servant.
7-9 THE CENTURION’S UNDERSTANDING OF JESUS’ SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY.
7 And JESUS said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
8 The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and HE goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and HE comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and HE does it.”
I will come and heal him
JESUS WAS WILLING.
It was completely against Jewish custom for a Jew to enter a Gentiles’ house; yet it was not against God’s law as JESUS would not hesitate to go to the centurion’s home.
The centurion felt this when HE said, "Lord, I am not worthy for You to come to my house." Most Jews believed that a Gentile's home was not good enough for them, and the centurion thought that a great teacher like JESUS would see his home as unworthy.
HUMILITY. The centurion showed humility to JESUS and didn't want to make JESUS uncomfortable by going into a Gentile's house.
COMPASSION. This centurion cared about both his servant and JESUS, showing that HE thought of others.
But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed:
AUTHORITY. The centurion understood and recognized that JESUS had Real Authority and Healing Power that could make things happen even when HE wasn't physically present.
FAITH TO BELIEVE. The centurion believed strongly in what JESUS Said. HE understood that JESUS could heal just by speaking, just like HE could by touching.
For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me:
ORDER. This shows that the centurion knew how the Roman military chain of command worked, where orders from those in charge were always followed.
He recognized that JESUS had similar authority.
10-13 JESUS PRAISES THE CENTURION’S FAITH AND HEALS HIS SERVANT
10 When JESUS heard it, HE marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! 11 And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then JESUS said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.
When JESUS heard it, HE marveled:
The man’s recognition of JESUS' spiritual authority, AMAZED JESUS.
The Centurion’s belief in JESUS' ability to heal with just a word showed that HE had true and great faith, deserving of praise.
Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel:
JESUS saw the faith of a Gentile centurion, who represented Jewish oppression, and believed it was stronger than any faith HE had observed in Israel.
Many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham
JESUS said that because a Gentile had faith, there would be Gentiles in heaven. They will even eat with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the Banqueting Table. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb!
POINT: Jewish people in JESUS' time thought that the Messianic Banquet would only include Jews and no Gentiles. JESUS changed this misunderstanding.
But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness:
JESUS told his Jewish listeners that being a Gentile didn't stop someone from entering the kingdom, and being Jewish didn't automatically mean they would enter. Even though Jews were considered part of the kingdom, JESUS was saying that they could still end up in HELL!
Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.
IT IS FINISHED!
PETER’S MOTHER-IN-LAW HEALED (MARK 1:29–31; LUKE 4:38, 39)
14-15 JESUS HEALS PETER’S MOTHER-IN-LAW.
14 Now when JESUS had come into Peter’s house, HE saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. 15 So HE touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.
He saw his wife’s mother lying sick
INTERESTING FACT: This shows that Peter was married. The Roman Catholic Church says that all priests must not marry, but the man known as the first and greatest Pope was definitely married.
(SPURGEON) “This mother-in-law was a specially good woman, for she was allowed to live with her son-in-law, and HE was anxious to have her restored to health.”
He saw (PETER’S) wife’s mother lying sick.
HE SAW THE NEED AND FELT COMPASSION.
He touched her hand, and the fever left her
WITHOUT A WORD, WITHOUT BEING ASKED.
JESUS healed this woman with a gentle touch. Her illness was not as bad as the leper's, but JESUS still cared for her. MERCY, GRACE.
POINT: JESUS cares about our problems both big and small. COMPASSION
HE knows our need even before we ask, and even if we don’t ask.
And she arose and served them:
Peter's mother-in-law reacted well to JESUS' power by starting to help others. Serving JESUS is a way that shows that a person is spiritually healthy. SERVICE
POINT: HEALED to SERVE
(SPURGEON) “With gratitude beaming from her face, she placed each dish upon the table, and brought forth water with which her guests might wash their feet. The moment the Lord JESUS Christ saves a soul HE gives that soul strength for its appointed service.”
MANY HEALED IN THE EVENING (MARK 1:32–34; LUKE 4:40, 41)
16-17 JESUS, IN FULFILLMENT OF PROPHECY, DELIVERS MANY FROM SICKNESS AND DEMONIC POSSESSION.
16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And HE cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.”
They brought to Him many…
JESUS’ care for the individual is shown by the implication that JESUS dealt with each person individually, not in some cold, “assembly line” procedure. COMPASSION.
Many who were demon possessed
The people of that time were wicked and particularly addicted to magic and involved with evil spirits. Mediums, Fortune Tellers, etc.
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah
Matthew connects the dots with Isaiah's prophecy in Isaiah 53 showing JESUS as the true Messiah who frees people from sin and the problems of a broken world. PROPHECY FULFILLMENT
He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses
JESUS' suffering provides for healing in both our body and spirit.
POINT: The healing work of our Messiah came at great cost. Even HIS death on the Cross.
We can experience some healing now, but in the resurrection we will be fully healed.
FOUR (4) TYPES OF PEOPLE THAT JESUS HEALS
JEWISH LEPER: BELIEVED AND ASKED
One who believed in JESUS’ power and asked for help.
GENTILE ROMAN SOLDIER: ASKED ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER.
One who had faith in believing on behalf of another, to ask for help.
DISCIPLE’S MOTHER-IN-LAW: HEALED TO SERVE
JESUS had compassion, seeing this woman’s need, and healed her without even being asked. HEALED OUT OF COMPASSION KNOWING OUR NEED BEFORE WE ASK.
MANY OTHERS: BROUGHT
Many were brought to JESUS to be healed one by one.
FOUR (4) METHODS OF HEALING.
JESUS used a forbidden touch. Touching the unclean and healing.
JESUS spoke a word from a distance. That word transcended the distance and brought healing.
JESUS uses a gentle compassionate touch. Without even being asked.
JESUS uses different unnamed ways to heal people one-by-one according to their need.
POINT: GOD uses physical healing to show HIS Power for HIS Divine purpose.
JESUS TEACHES ON DISCIPLESHIP.
18-20 JESUS TALKS TO A VERY EAGER FOLLOWER ABOUT UNDERSTANDING THE SACRIFICES NEEDED TO FOLLOW HIM.
The Cost of Discipleship (Luke 9:57–62)
18 And when JESUS saw great multitudes about Him, HE gave a command to depart to the other side. 19 Then a certain scribe came 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.”
When JESUS saw great multitudes about Him, HE gave a command to depart to the other side
As JESUS became more popular, HE put space between HIMSELF and the crowd.
Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go
Following JESUS might have seemed more exciting than it actually was because of the miracles JESUS performed. HOW MANY TIMES TO WE GET CAUGHT UP ON THE EXCITEMENT?
Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head
JESUS didn’t say to the man, "No, you can’t follow Me."
Instead, HE told him the truth about what it means to follow Him by not making it sound better than it is.
JESUS WANTED TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THERE WOULD BE SACRIFICE AND DIFFICULTIES.
THE NARROW WAY.
POINT: When we tell others about CHRIST, we must not make promises of grander things. The core of the GOOD NEWS is our forgiveness and salvation.
Not some “Prosperity” type gospel.
JESUS lived a simple life, trusting THE FATHER for everything HE needed without extra things.
Many times, JESUS would tell HIS followers that HE was the Messiah, but not the one they were expecting.
21-22 JESUS TALKS TO A HESITANT FOLLOWER ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO FOLLOW HIM.
21 Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
22 But JESUS said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” (compare Numbers 6:6-7, the way of the Nazarite)
Lord, let me first go and bury my father.
THE WAY OF THE NAZARITE
Numbers 6:6-7 6 All the days that HE separates himself to the LORD HE shall not go near a dead body. 7 HE shall not make himself unclean even for his father or his mother, for his brother or his sister, when they die, because his separation to God is on his head.
Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead
JESUS urged the man to follow Him immediately and made it clear that family duties or any other responsibilities should not take priority over following Him.
POINT: JESUS should be OUR first priority and what HE means by following HIM.
It’s interesting to think that JESUS wasn’t afraid of discouraging potential disciples.
POINT: JESUS is looking for those who will follow HIM whole heartedly, forsaking the things of this world.
JESUS SHOWS HIS POWER OVER THE WIND AND THE WAVES.
23-25 A QUICK AND FIERCE STORM ON THE SEA OF GALILEE.
Wind and Wave Obey JESUS (Mark 4:35–41; Luke 8:22–25)
23 Now when HE got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But HE was asleep. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: Capernaum borders the Sea of Galilee. In 2018, I had the pleasure of visiting the remains of Capernaum and sail the Sea of Galilee. The Sea of Galilee is known for its sudden, violent storms and when the winds whip up, a "Storm at Sea" can happen very quickly, even on a sunny day.
And by the reactions of the disciples, who were familiar with this Sea as fishermen; they were terrified enough to cry out to the LORD.
But HE was asleep
JESUS was asleep while the disciples were desperate. This shows the humanity of JESUS, whose body required sleep, even in the face of the storm.
This also shows the Spiritual Nature of CHRIST in the physical realm, in that HE found peace enough to sleep in the Storm, knowing that HIS FATHER, OUR FATHER, is capable of caring for us, so we can find peace and rest in the storms of life.
REMEMBER: GOD cares for you in the storms of life, so that you can find peace and rest in HIS love and care.
26-27 JESUS’ AUTHORITY OVER CREATION.
26 But HE said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then HE arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”
Psalms 89:8-9 8 O LORD God of hosts, Who is mighty like You, O LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You.
9 You rule the raging of the sea; When its waves rise, You still them.
Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?
JESUS wasn’t angry that HE was awakened from sleep.
HE was upset that the disciples were scared because Fear and Doubt often go hand in hand.
POINT: JESUS’ peace in the storm should have given them peace.
Then HE arose and rebuked the winds and the sea
JESUS rebuked the winds and the sea. Rebuked. Strong words.
Perhaps the winds and the sea was a spiritual attack before what was to come next.
So the men marveled saying Who can this be?
The disciples were amazed. This Power over creation made them check their thoughts. “Who can this be?”
AND THE ANSWER IS, it could Only be GOD, the LORD, YHWH, the Creator and King of the Universe Who could show such power and authority.
POINT: The disciples saw the humanity and deity of CHRIST, as truly man and GOD.
JESUS’ POWER OVER DEMONIC SPIRITS.
28-29 JESUS MEETS TWO DEMON-POSSESSED MEN.
Two Demon-Possessed Men Healed (Mark 5:1–20; Luke 8:26–39)
28 When HE had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. 29 And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, JESUS, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”
Two demon-possessed men, Coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce
These men were considered unclean because graveyards and the dead were seen as very unclean to the Jewish people.
Exceedingly Fierce…acting wildly uncontrollable being possessed by demons.
What have we to do with You
The demons inside wanted to be left alone and didn’t want JESUS to stop them from their evil ways.
What have we to do with You, JESUS, You Son of God?
The demons recognized JESUS as the SON of GOD, when the disciples did not.
Disciples: Who can this be? Vs. 27
Demons: JESUS, You Son of God. Vs. 29
Have You come here to torment us before the time
Prophetic words from demons.
They knew their time was limited and that THE TIME was coming for everlasting punishment and torment. Hell and the Lake of Fire.
They wanted to be able to do as much damage as possible before that time.
30-32 JESUS CASTS THE DEMONS INTO A HERD OF SWINE.
30 Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding. 31 So the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.”
32 And HE said to them, “Go.” So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.
There was a herd of many swine
Pigs were considered unclean by the Jews, so it can be assumed that the herd was owned by by Gentiles.
If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine
The demons wanted to go into the pigs because they are evil and like to cause trouble, NOTE: The demons asked JESUS permission to enter.
Then they had come out, they went into the herd of swine… the whole herd of swine ran violently… and perished in the water
JESUS allowed the demons to enter into the pigs to show the intentions of the demon and to show that these demons were real and cast out of the men.
The demons wanted to destroy the men just as they did the pigs.
POINT: Satan and his demons have one purpose, to STEAL, KILL and DESTROY.
John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
33-34 THE PEOPLE ASK JESUS TO LEAVE THE REGION
33 Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, the whole city came out to meet JESUS. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region.
Told everything… the whole city came out to meet JESUS
We might expect the people to be pleased in coming to meet JESUS to praise HIM.
But Instead…
They begged Him to depart from their region
We might expect that the people in the area would be glad that the two men possessed by demons were freed.
But it appears they cared more about their pigs (their wealth) than about the people.
Both Jews and Gentiles rejected CHRIST when HIS POWER hit their pocketbook. (What about you?)
POINT: The Power of CHRIST to deliver will reveal the hearts of people.
SUMMARY
From the stories of JESUS healing, We see the different ways to approach GOD with our requests for ourselves and on behalf of others. All are about faith and believing. And sometimes, GOD simply shows compassion so that we can serve HIM so that we would LOVE THE LORD GOD WITH ALL OUR HEART, MIND, SOUL and STRENGTH.
Be blessed and be a blessing.
Pastor Bill
