Day 3: Matthew 8-10: Healing, Exorcising, and Sending
I can't help noticing now that the Sermon on the Mount has bee preached, that Jesus gets busy healing all kinds of illnesses, and exorcising demons. There are many healing stories, and no two are exactly like. There is leprosy, a fever, demon possession, paralysis, death, hemorrhaging, blindness, inability to speak.
But somehow the healing can't be reduced to the names of the illnesses -- we need to know the people who were healed, and something about them: so there is a centurion's servant, healed by command from a distance, a twelve year old girl, a man lowered on a mat through a roof by four of his friends, a man who was made an outcast by his skin disease, a woman who touches the hem of Jesus' robe. Oh, and Peter's mother-in-law. Among others.
In the middle of all these things, Jesus finds times to quiet a storm (my translation says that the waves were "sloshing over the boat"), to call another disciple (Matthew, from his tax booth), to answer questions regarding fasting. By the way, Matthew the tax collector and the four fisherman might not be inclined to be so friendly with each other. Tax collectors were collaborators with the Roman occupiers, and they did really well by collecting more taxes than they needed to.
Jesus is putting together a really interesting group of followers.
And then, suddenly, in chapter 10, he sends them out.
I have to admit, it seems too soon to me. They haven't learned enough yet! There are still many things Jesus needs to teach them (us)! But there is it, in chapter ten, they are no longer simply disciples (students), but they are also apostles (those who are sent out). They are sent into the world and instructed in as much what NOT to take as what to take (Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals). There are not just instructions, but there are also warnings about what it will be like to be an apostles (clue: not just fun and games). There are warnings about persecution, about being turned in by family members, about the possibility of being martyred. I have to admit, having just read about the man who went on a racist rant on a train in Portland Oregon, and the three men who tried to stop him (two of whom were killed), that these warnings hit home. It is dangerous to be a follower of Jesus, and to be sent out into the world.
And yet, there are rewards. "Even the hairs of your head are all counted. Don't be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows."
But somehow the healing can't be reduced to the names of the illnesses -- we need to know the people who were healed, and something about them: so there is a centurion's servant, healed by command from a distance, a twelve year old girl, a man lowered on a mat through a roof by four of his friends, a man who was made an outcast by his skin disease, a woman who touches the hem of Jesus' robe. Oh, and Peter's mother-in-law. Among others.
In the middle of all these things, Jesus finds times to quiet a storm (my translation says that the waves were "sloshing over the boat"), to call another disciple (Matthew, from his tax booth), to answer questions regarding fasting. By the way, Matthew the tax collector and the four fisherman might not be inclined to be so friendly with each other. Tax collectors were collaborators with the Roman occupiers, and they did really well by collecting more taxes than they needed to.
Jesus is putting together a really interesting group of followers.
And then, suddenly, in chapter 10, he sends them out.
I have to admit, it seems too soon to me. They haven't learned enough yet! There are still many things Jesus needs to teach them (us)! But there is it, in chapter ten, they are no longer simply disciples (students), but they are also apostles (those who are sent out). They are sent into the world and instructed in as much what NOT to take as what to take (Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals). There are not just instructions, but there are also warnings about what it will be like to be an apostles (clue: not just fun and games). There are warnings about persecution, about being turned in by family members, about the possibility of being martyred. I have to admit, having just read about the man who went on a racist rant on a train in Portland Oregon, and the three men who tried to stop him (two of whom were killed), that these warnings hit home. It is dangerous to be a follower of Jesus, and to be sent out into the world.
And yet, there are rewards. "Even the hairs of your head are all counted. Don't be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows."
These passages are full of Miracles but I think the theme is faith. look at the faith of the Centurion compared to the faith of the disciples in the boat, for even after seeing such Miracles they still doubted and we're afraid. I appreciate 9:12 that talks about how the healthy don't need a doctor and Jesus didn't come for the righteous but for the Sinners. I think of this when people make comments about being struck by lightning if they went to church. and 9:37 it says the Harvest is abundant but the workers are few. we all may not go out and evangelize but placing God in our everyday conversations is one way of planting seeds. as the chapters are full of Faith it's not just Faith by healings, but also the disciples were basically told to have faith that all their needs would be taken care of while they were working the Harvest. We too should not be afraid for God will provide. in verse 12 of chapter 9 it mentions that they should shake the dust off their feet if they are not welcomed. I wonder if this is where we get the saying to shake the dust off and get back up. Never give up. Jesus also says to pick up the cross and follow him, and I have to remind myself that is just not once you pick up the cross but daily. He says to not he did not come to bring peace but a sword for he came to turn Sons and Daughters against mothers and fathers. he came to separate them if a person is to choose between Godly principles and family.
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