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Welcome to the gospel of Matthew

A Lenten study series of our Lord Jesus Christ! Matthew 8 – 9. Welcome to the gospel of Matthew. Let’s take a peak, we just finished book 1.

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Welcome to the gospel of Matthew

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  1. A Lenten study series of our Lord Jesus Christ! Matthew 8 – 9 Welcome to the gospel of Matthew

  2. Let’s take a peak, we just finished book 1

  3. It is in these two chapters 8 and 9 that our Lord performs many miracles, ten of them. In doing so, he is preparing to commission the twelve apostles. • It is in the 10th chapter of Matthew’s gospel that we will get the second big book of the five big books that Matthew writes. • This 2nd book will give the apostles their missionary instructions. • The 1st big book was the Sermon on the Mount • Chapter 8-9 prepare the 12 apostles, and chapter 10 will be the instructions for them in their ministry as a follow of Jesus. Matthew 8 and 9 - Miracles

  4. What is Jesus portraying with this after the Sermon on the Mount? • These miracles show Jesus bringing a holiness into the world that overcomes the powers that cause defilement: • Sin • Disease • Demons • Death • The Jews, especially the Pharisees, considered those defiled by these things to be unclean and untouchable; Jesus takes the offensive stance against evil in two ways: • His word • His touch – he heals the effects of sin! Chapters 8 and 9 – 10 miracles

  5. What will we find in Matthew 8? • Jesus heals many, • Including a leper, • A Roman officer’s slave, • Peter’s mother-in-law, • A number of demon-possessed people. • He will also amaze his disciples by calming a storm • And he talks about the costs of being his follower. Let’s look at Matthew chapter 8

  6. The Miraclesof Jesus (8:1–17, 23–34) • A.   Curing the sick (8:1–17, 28–34) • 1.     A leper (8:1–4) • a.     The cry (8:1–2): The leper begs Jesus, our Savior to heal him. • b.     The compassion (8:3) : Jesus restores the man to health by the touch of his hand. • c.     The command (8:4) : The cleansed leper is instructed to tell no one about his miracle. • 2.     A centurion’s servant (8:5–13) • a.     The favor desired by the centurion (8:5–7): He wants Jesus to visit his home and heal his servant, which the Lord agrees to do. • b.     The faith demonstrated by the centurion (8:8–13) • (1)     The confidence (8:8–9): He feels the Lord can heal the servant without even coming to his home! • (2)     The commendation (8:10) : Jesus commends him for so much faith! • (3)     The conclusion (8:11–12): Jesus says his kind of faith will result in the eventual salvation of a number of Gentiles, while many faithless Jews will suffer eternal loss. • (4)     The cure (8:13) : The servant is healed at that very hour. • 3.     Peter’s mother-in-law (8:14–15) • a.     The suffering hostess (8:14) : Jesus finds her in bed with a high fever. • b.     The serving hostess (8:15) : After Jesus touches her hand, she gets up and begins to wait on him. An outline of chapter 8 – 1 of 3 slides to see the big picture of the chapter

  7. 4.   A number of demon-possessed people (8:16–17, 28–34) • a.     On the western side of the Galilean Sea (8:16–17) • (1)     The possessed (8:16) : Many of these people are brought to Jesus for deliverance. • (2)     The prophecy (8:17) : He heals them all, that Isaiah’s prophecy might be fulfilled (Isa. 53:4). • b.     On the eastern side of the Galilean Sea (8:28–34) • (1)     The Gadarene maniacs, controlled by demons (8:28) : Demons have made these two men violent, causing them to live among the tombs! • (2)     The panic of these demons (8:29) : They are filled with fear as the Savior approaches. • (3)     The plea from these demons (8:30–31): They beg Jesus to send them into a herd of nearby pigs! • (4)     The Galilean Messiah, controller of demons (8:32–34) • (a)     The release (8:32) : He delivers the two men by ordering the demons into the herd of swine! • (b)     The rejection (8:33–34): The foolish people living in that area plead with Christ to depart and leave them alone. Outline of Chapter 8 – slide 2

  8. B.     Calming the sea (8:23–27) • 1.     The furious storm (8:23–24): A terrible storm threatens to sink the disciples’ boat. • 2.     The fearful sailors (8:25): In desperation they awaken the sleeping Jesus, crying out for him to save them. • 3.     The faithful Savior (8:26–27): He quickly stills the waters, to the amazement of the disciples! • II.     The Mandateof Jesus(8:18–22): He describes the cost of true discipleship to several would-be followers. • A.     Concerning one’s finances (8:18–20): They will have no place to lay their heads. • B.     Concerning one’s family (8:21–22): They must forsake their families in order to follow Jesus. Outline of Matthew 8 – slide 3

  9. First John the Baptist and then Jesus came announcing the kingdom of God. • Then like a “new Moses”, Jesus ascended a mountainside to proclaim a “new law” of this kingdom in his Sermon on the Mount. • This new law fulfills the old, illuminating its purpose and intent and showing how true righteousness flows from a heart turned toward the heavenly father. • Jesus finishes the sermon with an echo of Moses’ plea to choose life via the narrow way into the kingdom. Jesus now wants to establish his kingdom as Matthew starts writing his second book Where have we been as we transition into chapter 8

  10. In the New Testament, the miracles of Jesus are most often called ‘powers’. The focus is not on Jesus as a miracle-worker but on Jesus in whom the power of God is made manifest on this earth. • How – and over what – does Jesus demonstrate his divine power in Matthew Chapter 8? • HMMM! Any one have any thoughts? As we look at chapter 8 as a whole, there is one question

  11. Matthew shows Jesus healing diseases, forgiving sins, calming a storm, and casting out demons. • Jesus is demonstrating power • over the destructive forces of nature, • over the devil, • over sin and disease. • Over all, our Lord shows he has power over all the things that separate us from God! One possible answer!

  12. Miracles (3 trios—Matthew 8:1-9:38) – very creative • First Trio (three healings): persons either excluded from life in the Israelite community, or who had a diminished position within Israel. - Leper/centurion’s servants/Peter’s mother in law • ***First Interlude: Cost of Discipleship – Matt 8:18-22 • Second Trio: salvation to the world / triumph over the demonic/ restoration of humanity. - The Storm / Demons Cast Out / A Paralytic Healed • **Second Interlude: The Joy of Discipleship Matt 9:9-17 • Third Trio: the “newness” of Jesus’ life-giving power displayed. - The Blood-flow stopped - The Dead Raised / Sight to the Blind/ Speech to the Dumb • **Summary of Mission / Bridge to the Mission of the Twelve -- Matt 9:35-38 - the harvest is plenty laborers are few – Jesus sends out The trios of miracles builds to the mission

  13. A.   Curing the sick (8:1–17, 28–34) • 1.     A leper (8:1–4) • a.     The cry (8:1–2): The leper begs Jesus, our Savior to heal him. • b.     The compassion (8:3) : Jesus restores the man to health by the touch of his hand. • c.     The command (8:4) : The cleansed leper is instructed to tell no one about his miracle. Jesus cleanses a leper – 8:1-4

  14. Leprosy is a disease that infects human skin, garments, and homes. - There is more in Lev. 13 – 14 • The skin disease was to be diagnosed by a Levitical priest. • If the infection spread, the victim was pronounced ritually unclean and was excluded from the social and religious life in Israel. • Law would require them to live in isolation and maintain a ragged appearance. – Lev. 13:45-46 What is a leper?

  15. Under the Old law, anyone with leprosy was isolated from their community. Not only could lepers not interact with people who were ‘clean’, they were denied access to the Temple for worship. They lived outside the camp, and if anyone came near, they had to call out: “Unclean! Unclean!” so no one would touch them and become defiled themselves. ?? Given this background, what was remarkable about the way that Jesus cleansed the leper? Why A question to ponder?

  16. Jesus didn’t have to touch the leper, for he healed the centurion's servant with his word. • The significance of this cannot be overstated! • No one would purposely touch a leper, for fear of becoming leprous, and because that touch would render one ceremonially unclean. • When Jesus touches the leper something remarkable happens. Not only does he not become unclean, the man becomes clean! …. It is remarkable that Jesus touched him?

  17. That the power of Jesus is greater than the power of evil. • He is doing something greater than being holy himself: • Jesus is imparting holiness to others. • This is a contrast to the Pharisees. Why? They put all their efforts into a negative sort of holiness by separating themselves from the outcast, and those who were defiled. This goes to show…

  18. There are many way to interpret what is being said in the words of the writer in Scripture. • There is a: • Literal sense – which asks us to read the meaning of the words and text. We read it literally! • Spiritual sense – which is based on the literal sense and come from the way the text points or to a sign that is a deeper reality than just the surface. We read it spiritually! When we read scripture

  19. We have other categories of reading Scripture: • Allegorical – this asks us to consider how it points to Jesus. • Moral – which asks us to consider how to order our behavior and our actions • Anagogical – which asks us to read it in a way that points to our eternal destiny. • Can you see a spiritual sense behind leprosy in general, or something in the Church that Christ’s healing of the leper points to? • Thoughts? Comments? Under the spiritual sense…

  20. What is the moral sense of this passage? • Leprosy is a “living death” that slowly destroys the body while putting to death communion with others. • As such it is a deeper illness of mortal sin, • Mortal sin or our leprosy - kills the spiritual life in our soul. • Mortal sin or our leprosy - severs our communion with God, and with the Church, • Mortal sin or our leprosy - ultimately leads to death The moral sense of leprosy?

  21. Leprosy also renders one “unclean”, or unfit for public worship. Jesus is not said to “heal” the leper; he “cleanses” him. • Similarly, we speak of needing ‘cleansing’ from sin before we properly engage in worship. • In Jesus’ healing of the leper we can see a sign or picture of the sacrament of Reconciliation: • Jesus reaches out to save us from sin’s leprous touch and restores us to full communion in God’s family, the Church. • Notice that Jesus didn’t send the man on his way but sent him first to the priest to be officially welcomed and restored to the community. • In the same way, we go to the priest for Reconciliation. A couple more ideas?

  22. The Jewish law required that anyone who was healed of leprosy to be examined by a Levitical priest (Lev. 13:1-3) Upon approval by a priest, the individual would undertake procedures for cleansing and reinstatement into the covenant life of Israel. Vs. 4 – what is the gift that Moses prescribed?

  23. Leviticus 5:2-3 -- “Or if any one touches an unclean thing, whether the carcass of an unclean beast or a carcass of unclean cattle or a carcass of unclean swarming things, and it is hidden from him, and he has become unclean, he shall be guilty. 3 Or if he touches human uncleanness, of whatever sort the uncleanness may be with which one becomes unclean, and it is hidden from him, when he comes to know it he shall be guilty.” The old law

  24. Numbers 5:1-4 -- The LORD said to Moses, “Command the people of Israel that they put out of the camp every leper, and every one having a discharge, and every one that is unclean through contact with the dead; you shall put out both male and female, putting them outside the camp, that they may not defile their camp, in the midst of which I dwell.“ And the people of Israel did so, and drove them outside the camp; as the LORD said to Moses, so the people of Israel did. Another passage of the old law

  25. 2.     A centurion’s servant (8:5–13) • a.     The favor desired by the centurion (8:5–7): He wants Jesus to visit his home and heal his servant, which the Lord agrees to do. • b.     The faith demonstrated by the centurion (8:8–13) • (1)     The confidence (8:8–9): He feels the Lord can heal the servant without even coming to his home! • (2)     The commendation (8:10) : Jesus commends him for so much faith! • (3)     The conclusion (8:11–12): Jesus says his kind of faith will result in the eventual salvation of a number of Gentiles, while many faithless Jews will suffer eternal loss. • (4)     The cure (8:13) : The servant is healed at that very hour. Matthew 8:5-13 – the centurion

  26. Jesus praises the Roman centurion for his faith. What qualities of true faith do you see in the words and actions of the centurion? • The Roman centurion recognizes the power and authority of Jesus over sickness as surely as he sees his own power and authority over his men. • He believes without a shadow of doubt in the power of Jesus’ word. • Even though he knows Jesus should have nothing to do with him, a Gentile, he approaches and begs him for healing. • All of these are outstanding qualities of faith Faith is needed for a miracle to be worked!

  27. What made this Gentile fit for heaven, which some “sons of the kingdom” lack? • The centurions strong faith makes him fit for heaven, while some of the “sons of the kingdom” who are Jews who rely on their blood relationships to the patriarchs. Another question??

  28. The centurion used the same words that we say at Mass: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and I shall be healed.“ what does this story add to your understanding of what you are saying at Mass at this point? • At Mass, we place ourselves in the humble shoes of the Gentile centurion, separated from God by sin yet believing in this power to cleanse us, trusting in the healing power of his Word. Have you heard these words?

  29. The centurion who approached our Lord for healing was a Roman military commander. • At the time of Jesus, he would have had about 100 other soldiers who were under his command. • The emphasis of this passage falls on the idea that his ethnic identity as a Gentile who has faith in Jesus. • If we looked at this centurion in Luke’s gospel – Lk. 7:5 – we would note he was the one who was responsible for building the synagogue in Capernaum. What is a centurion?

  30. In verse 8, we read “Lord I am not worthy…” This demonstrates great faith and humility. This same humility is needed when we approach the Lord at the Holy Eucharist, because we are not worthy to receive such a gift. We say this at Mass to be cleansed of our faults, and to put our faith entirely into the person of Jesus. Another consideration?

  31. In verse 12, we hear the phrase that there “will be wailing and grinding of teeth”, what does this mean? • This describes the pangs of those who are damned and deprived of the heavenly banquet. • This is the first time that Matthew uses this phrase that he repeats frequently in this gospel to foretell a judgment of those who do not accept or follow His teaching. - Mat. 13:42, 13:50, 22:13, 24:51, 25:30 • Similar language is used in the Old Testament for the wicked who slander the righteous with hatred and disgust. – Job 16:9, Ps. 37:12 A final judgment already foretold?

  32. The end of our first trio of healings is the cure of Peter’s mother in law. • 3.     Peter’s mother-in-law (8:14–15) • a.     The suffering hostess (8:14) : Jesus finds her in bed with a high fever. • b.     The serving hostess (8:15) : After Jesus touches her hand, she gets up and begins to wait on him. Matthew 8:14-17

  33. What is ironic about this healing of Peter’s mother in law? • Some will say it is ironic because Peter might be married. We don’t know! We never hear of his wife if she is alive or dead, it is uncertain. • We do know that Peter was married at one point in his life! • What is important to understand in this passage is there is no request made by anyone to have this poor woman healed. Jesus acts on his own initiative to offer charity to the woman, and to heal her. There is something different about this healing?

  34. Here is where we get our first interlude after our first three healings. • What is the interlude between the first three healings in Matthew and his second three healings? • It is about the cost of discipleship! The Lord uses each of these interludes in between the three trios to teach a lesson on discipleship. Matthew 8:18-22

  35. The Mandateof Jesus(8:18–22): He describes the cost of true discipleship to several would-be followers. • A.     Concerning one’s finances (8:18–20): They will have no place to lay their heads. • B.     Concerning one’s family (8:21–22): They must forsake their families in order to follow Jesus. The cost of discipleship

  36. 8:18-22 – gives us a picture of two potential followers of Jesus. Of what, can we assume from Jesus’ replies, are they unwilling to let go? The apostles dropped everything to follow Jesus – Mat. 4. In contrast, these followers hesitate to give up a security of a place to stay or their obligations to their family. It is not that these are not important, commitment to Jesus is a higher priority, and must be regarded above everything as Jesus points out in this passage. Two potential followers?

  37. If we read verses 18-22 along with 1 Kings 19:19-21 which states. • Elijah set out, and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat, as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he was following the twelfth. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak on him. • 20 Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please, let me kiss my father and mother good-bye, and I will follow you.” Elijah answered, “Go back! What have I done to you?” • 21Elisha left him and, taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them; he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh, and gave it to the people to eat. Then he left and followed Elijah to serve him. • Why do you suppose Jesus tells the disciple to “leave the dead to bury their own dead, while Elijah permits Elisha to take leave of his family? Comparison?

  38. When Elisha destroys the means of his own livelihood in the process of saying goodbye, he shows that he is truly leaving everything behind to follow Elijah. Jesus may see in his would – be followers a desire to linger, a desire to hold on to worldly concerns rather than following without reserve. A higher demand of discipleship is required for a complete personal surrender to Jesus and identification with the one who had left his heavenly home and father, humbled himself and lived with “nowhere to lay his head.” Notice???

  39. What is this? • This is the most frequently used title for Christ in all of the Scriptures. This is the first time that it is used in Matthews gospel. • Matthew refers to use it for his ministry – 7 times • For his passion and resurrection – 9 times • And for his glorious coming at the end of time – 13 times • Son of man is a messianic title found in Dan. 7:2-14. It identifies with the heavenly transcendence of the Savior while stressing his humanity, in contrast with the son of God which emphasizes his divinity. 8:20 uses the phrase son of man??

  40. We can see that Jesus in this passage puts discipleship and basis it on the following of Christ. It will be reiterated in Mat. 11:29 • These followers of Jesus seem reluctant to follow Jesus like the apostles did. • Jesus uses the phrase to let the dead bury the dead. • Burial is a sacred duty in ancient Judaism – Gen. 50:5. Jesus says discipleship is even more important. Follow me – vs. 22

  41. Jesus is pointing out that discipleship must outweigh even our family commitments. - Mat. 10:37, 19:29 Those who are spiritually dead (clinging to things of the world) can bury the physically dead. Jesus is not doing away with burial but uses it as a stepping stone to illustrate the higher demands of Christian life. Discipleship is higher than family

  42. We start the second of three consecutive miracles! • B.     Calming the sea (8:23–27) • 1.     The furious storm (8:23–24): A terrible storm threatens to sink the disciples’ boat. • 2.     The fearful sailors (8:25): In desperation they awaken the sleeping Jesus, crying out for him to save them. • 3.     The faithful Savior (8:26–27): He quickly stills the waters, to the amazement of the disciples! 8:23 – 27 – calming of the storm

  43. In this section vs. 23-27, Jesus reveals his divine authority over creation. • In vs. 27 – we see that even the winds and sea obey him, and God alone has authority over the sea. • We see this power with God having power over water in the Old Testament. - Job 26:11-14 • It is with this passage, that the disciples will now start to marvel and question Jesus’ identity. • Their uncertainty indicates the Jesus manifested his divinity gradually; it was not until later that they worshipped him as the son of man in the 14th chapter. The calming of the storm

  44. This stilling of the storm parallels the experience of Jonah in the Old Testament – Jon. 1:1-16 – in 7 ways • 1. both stories have a person who sets sail on a boat – 8:23 and Jon. 1:3 • 2. Both stories are caught in a storm on the sea – 8:24 and Jon. 1:4 • 3. both stories have someone who falls asleep – 8:24 and Jon. 1:5 A parallel?

  45. 4. both are accompanied by frightened sailors – 8:24-26 and Jon. 1:4, 11 5. both groups of sailors call upon the Lord for deliverance – 8:25 and Jon. 1:14 6. both are instrumental in bringing about a great calm – 8:26 and Jon. 1:12 7. and the sailors in both episodes marveled at the outcome – 8:27 and Jon. 1:16 comparisons

  46. St. John Chrysostom – says the wave tossed boat signifies the struggles of Christian life. As Christians are endangered by the wind and fierce waves, God’s people are awakened by spiritual assaults and become aware of their helplessness. When they call upon the Lord for salvation and inner peace, the presence of Christ assures them their deliverance, and his swiftness strengthens their wavering faith. What does this passage mean morally?

  47. If we look at the word storm in vs. 24, and we study the Greek word. • Storm comes from the Greek word meaning seismos which literally means an “earthquake” • The earthquake is the violent condition on the sea • The same word “storm” or “earthquake” is used in Matthew 24:7, - famine at the end of the world • 27:54, - Calvary • and 28:2 - Resurrection Just a bit closer?

  48. Jesus calls the disciples who are with him in the boat “men of little faith?” they had enough faith to go to him for help; what did they lack? • Thoughts???? • Comments??? Points to consider

  49. They were full of fear and uncertainty. I can’t imagine them thinking like all of us in our fears when we doubt and ask, • “Can he help or can’t he?” • Will we survive or won’t we? • It is the age old question: Do you trust God, even when circumstances make it appear that he is ignoring you or that he is not in control? Perhaps a little “Trust”

  50. How might they have acted differently if they had stronger faith? • It is possible that the disciples still would have wakened the Lord, yet without panic, with the phrase, “we are perishing”. Perhaps: • They might have the certainty that the centurion had in knowing the word would save them • Had they prayed to the father they may have prayed, “I believe, help my unbelief.” Another thought?

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