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Matthew Chapter Eight

 

Matthew 8

Then in chapter 8 the Lord begins in the midst of Israel His patient life of testimony which closed with His rejection by the people whom God had so long preserved for Him and for their own blessing.

He had proclaimed the kingdom displayed His power throughout the land and declared His character as well as the spirit of those who should enter the kingdom.

But His miracles [1] as well as the whole Gospel are always characterised by His position among the Jews and God's dealings with them till He was rejected. Jehovah yetthe man obedient to the law foreshewing the entrance of the Gentiles into the kingdom (its establishment in mystery in the world) predicting the building of the church or assembly on the recognition of His being Son of the living God and the kingdom in glory; and while detecting as the effect of His presence the perversity of the people yet bearing on His heart with perfect patience the burden of Israel. [2] It is Jehovah present in goodness outwardly one of themselves: wondrous truth!

First of all we find the healing of a leper. Jehovah alone in His sovereign goodness could heal the leper; here Jesus does so. "If thou wilt " says the leper "thou canst." "I will " replies the Lord. But at the same time while He shews forth in His own Person that which repels all possibility of defilement-that which is above sin-He shews the most perfect condescension towards the defiled one. He touches the leper saying "I will be thou clean." We see the grace the power the undefilable holiness of Jehovah come down in the Person of Jesus to the closest proximity to the sinner touching him so to speak. It was indeed "the Lord that healeth thee." [3] At the same time He conceals Himself and commands the man who had been healed to go to the priest according to the ordinances of the law and offer his gift. He does not go out of the place of the Jew in subjection to the law; but Jehovah was there in goodness.

But in the next case we see a Gentile who by faith enjoys the full effect of that power which his faith ascribed to Jesus giving the Lord occasion to bring out the solemn truth that many of these poor Gentiles should come and sit down in the kingdom of heaven with the fathers who were honoured by the Jewish nation as the first parents of the heirs of promise while the children of the kingdom should be in outer darkness. In fact the faith of this centurion acknowledged a divine power in Jesus which by the glory of Him that possessed it would (not forsake Israel but) open the door to the Gentiles and graft into the olive-tree of promise branches of the wild olive-tree in the place of those which should be cut off. The manner in which this should take place in the assembly was not now the question.

He does not however yet forsake Israel. He goes into Peter's house and heals his wife's mother. He does the same to all the sick who crowd around the house at even when the sabbath was over. They are healed the devils are cast out so that the prophecy of Isaiah was being fulfilled: "Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses." Jesus put Himself in heart under the weight of all the sorrows that oppressed Israel in order to relieve and heal them. It is still Emmanuel who feels for their misery and is afflicted in all their affliction but who has come in with the power that shews Him capable of delivering them.

These three cases shew this character of His ministry in a clear and striking manner. He hides Himself; for until the moment when He would shew judgment to the Gentiles He does not lift up His voice in the streets. It is the dove that rests upon Him. These manifestations of power attract men to Him; but this does not deceive Him: He never departs in spirit from the place He has taken. He is the despised and the rejected of men; He has nowhere to lay His head. The earth had more room for the foxes and the birds than for Him whom we have seen appear a moment before as the Lord acknowledged at least by the necessities which He never refused to relieve. Therefore if any man would follow Him he must forsake all to be the companion of the Lord who would not have come down to the earth if everything had not been in question; nor without an absolute right although it was at the same time in a love which could only be occupied by its mission and by the necessity that brought Him there.

The Lord on earth was everything or nothing. This it is true was to be felt morally in its effects in the grace which acting by faith attached the believer to Him by an ineffable bond. Without this the heart would not have been morally put to the test. But this did not make it the less true. accordingly the proofs of this were present: the winds and waves to which in the eye of man He seemed to be exposed obeyed His voice at once-a striking reproof to the unbelief that woke Him from His sleep and had supposed it possible for the waves to engulf Him and with Him the counsels and the power of Him who had created the winds and waves. It is evident that this storm was permitted in order to try their faith and manifest the dignity of His Person. If the enemy was the instrument who produced it he only succeeded in making the Lord display His glory. Such indeed is always the case as to Christ and for us where faith is.

Now the reality of this power and the manner of its operation are forcibly proved by that which follows.

The Lord disembarks in the country of the Gergesenes. There the power of the enemy shews itself in all its horrors. If man to whom the Lord was come in grace did not know Him the devils knew their Judge in the Person of the Son of God. The man was possessed by them. The fear they had of torme nt at the judgment of the last day is applied in the man's mind to the immediate presence of the Lord: "Art thou come to torment us before the time?" Wicked spirits act on men by the dread of their power; they have none unless they are feared. But faith only can take this fear from man. I am not speaking of the lusts on which they act nor of the wiles of the enemy; I speak of the power of the enemy. Resist the devil and he will flee from thee. Here the devils wished to manifest the reality of this power. The Lord permits it in order to make it plain that in this world it is not merely man that is in question whether good or bad but that also which is stronger than man. The devils enter into the swine which perish in the waters. Sorrowful reality plainly demonstrated that it was no question of mere disease or of sinful lusts but of wicked spirits! However thanks be to God it was a question also of One who although a man on earth was more powerful than they. They are compelled to acknowledge this power and they appeal to it. There is no idea of resistance. In the temptation in the wilderness Satan had been overcome. Jesus completely delivers the man whom they had oppressed with their evil power. The power of the devils was nothing before Him. He could have delivered the world from all the power of the enemy if that only had been in question and from all the ills of humanity. The strong man was bound and the Lord spoiled his goods. But the presence of God of Jehovah troubles the world even more than the power of the enemy degrades and domineers over mind and body. The control of the enemy over the heart-too peaceful and alas! too little perceived-is more mighty than his strength. This succumbs before the word of Jesus; but the will of man accepts the world as it is governed by the influence of Satan. The whole city who had witnessed the deliverance of the demoniac and the power of Jesus present among them entreat Him to depart. Sad history of the world! The Lord came down with power to deliver the world-man-from all the power of the enemy; but they would not. Their distance from God was moral and not merely bondage to the enemy's power. They submitted to his yoke they had become used to it and they would not have the presence of God.

I doubt not that that which happened to the swine is a figure of that which happened to the impious and profane Jews who rejected the Lord Jesus. Nothing can be more striking than the way in which a divine Person Emmanuel though a man in grace is manifested in this chapter.

Footnotes

[1] The miracles of Christ had a peculiar character. They were not merely acts of power but all of them of the power of God visiting this world in goodness. The power of God had been often shewn specially from Moses but often in judgment. But Christ's were all the deliverance of men from the evil consequences sin had brought in. There was one exception the cursing the fig tree but this was a judicial sentence on Israel that is man under the old covenant when there was great appearance but no fruit.

[2] I subjoin here some notes made since this was written as throwing I think light on the structure of this Gospel. Matthew 51 gives the character required for entrance into the kingdom the character which was to mark the accepted remnant Jehovah being now in the way with the nation to judgment. Chapters 8 9 give the other side-grace and goodness come in God manifest His character and actings that new thing which could not be put into the old bottles-still goodness in power but rejected the Son of man (not Messiah) who had not where to lay His head. Chapter 8 gives present intervention in temporal goodness with power. Hence as goodness it goes beyond Israel as it deals in grace with what was excluded from God's camp in Israel. It includes power over all Satan's power and sickness and the elements and that in taking the burden on Himself but in conscious rejection. Chapter 8:17-20 leads us to Isaiah 53:3 4 and the state of things calling for the wholly following Him giving up all. This leads to the sad testimony that if divine power expels Satan's the divine presence manifest in it is insupportable to the world. The swine figure Israel thereupon. Chapter 9 furnishes the religious side of His presence in grace forgiveness and the testimony that Jehovah was there according to Psalm 103 but there to call sinners not the righteous; and this was especially what could not suit the old bottles. Finally this chapter practically save the patience of goodness closes the history. He came to save Israel's life. It was really death when He came: only wherever there was faith in the midst of the surrounding crowd there was healing. The Pharisees shew the blasphemy of the leaders: only the patience of grace still subsists carried out towards Israel in chapter 10 but all found to be of no avail in chapter 11. The Son was revealing the Father and this abides and gives rest. Chapter 12 develops fully the judgment and rejection of Israel. Chapter 13 brings Christ as a sower not seeking fruit in His vineyard and the actual form of the kingdom of heaven.

[3] One who touched a leper became himself unclean but the blessed One did come thus close to man but removed the defilement without contracting it. The leper knew His power but was not sure of His goodness. "I will" declared it but with a title which God only has to.

── John DarbySynopsis of Matthew

 

Matthew 8

Chapter Contents

Multitudes follow Christ. (1) He heals a leper. (2-4) A centurion's servant healed. (5-13) Cure of Peter's wife's mother. (14-17) The scribe's zealous proposal. (18-22) Christ in a storm. (23-27) He heals two possessed with devils. (28-34)

Commentary on Matthew 8:1

(Read Matthew 8:1)

This verse refers to the close of the foregoing sermon. Those to whom Christ has made himself known desire to know more of him.

Commentary on Matthew 8:2-4

(Read Matthew 8:2-4)

In these verses we have an account of Christ's cleansing a leper who came and worshipped him as one clothed with Divine power. This cleansing directs us not only to apply to Christ who has power over bodily diseases for the cure of them but it also teaches us in what manner to apply to him. When we cannot be sure of God's will we may be sure of his wisdom and mercy. No guilt is so great but there is that in Christ's blood which atones for it; no corruption so strong but there is that in his grace which can subdue it. To be made clean we must commend ourselves to his pity; we cannot demand it as a debt but we must humbly request it as a favour. Those who by faith apply to Christ for mercy and grace may be sure that he is freely willing to give them the mercy and grace they thus seek. And those afflictions are blessed that bring us to know Christ and cause us to seek help and salvation from him. Let those who are cleansed from their spiritual leprosy go to Christ's ministers and open their case that they may advise comfort and pray for them.

Commentary on Matthew 8:5-13

(Read Matthew 8:5-13)

This centurion was a heathen a Roman soldier. Though he was a soldier yet he was a godly man. No man's calling or place will be an excuse for unbelief and sin. See how he states his servant's case. We should concern ourselves for the souls of our children and servants who are spiritually sick who feel not spiritual evils who know not that which is spiritually good; and we should bring them to Christ by faith and prayers. Observe his self-abasement. Humble souls are made more humble by Christ's gracious dealings with them. Observe his great faith. The more diffident we are of ourselves the stronger will be our confidence in Christ. Herein the centurion owns him to have Divine power and a full command of all the creatures and powers of nature as a master over his servants. Such servants we all should be to God; we must go and come according to the directions of his word and the disposals of his providence. But when the Son of man comes he finds little faith therefore he finds little fruit. An outward profession may cause us to be called children of the kingdom; but if we rest in that and have nothing else to show we shall be cast out. The servant got a cure of his disease and the master got the approval of his faith. What was said to him is said to all Believe and ye shall receive; only believe. See the power of Christ and the power of faith. The healing of our souls is at once the effect and evidence of our interest in the blood of Christ.

Commentary on Matthew 8:14-17

(Read Matthew 8:14-17)

Peter had a wife yet was an apostle of Christ who showed that he approved of the married state by being thus kind to Peter's wife's relations. The church of Rome which forbids ministers to marry goes contrary to that apostle upon whom they rest so much. He had his wife's mother with him in his family which is an example to be kind to our relations. In spiritual healing the Scripture speaks the word the Spirit gives the touch touches the heart touches the hand. Those who recover from fevers commonly are weak and feeble some time after; but to show that this cure was above the power of nature the woman was at once so well as to go about the business of the house. The miracles which Jesus did being noised abroad many thronged to him. He healed all that were sick though the patient was ever so mean and the case ever so bad. Many are the diseases and calamities to which we are liable in the body; and there is more in those words of the gospel that Jesus Christ bore our sicknesses and carried our sorrows to support and comfort us under them than in all the writings of the philosophers. Let us not grudge labour trouble or expense in doing good to others.

Commentary on Matthew 8:18-22

(Read Matthew 8:18-22)

One of the scribes was too hasty in promising; he proffers himself to be a close follower of Christ. He seems to be very resolute. Many resolutions for religion are produced by sudden conviction and taken up without due consideration; these come to nothing. When this scribe offered to follow Christ one would think he should have been encouraged; one scribe might do more credit and service than twelve fishermen; but Christ saw his heart and answered to its thoughts and therein teaches all how to come to Christ. His resolve seems to have been from a worldly covetous principle; but Christ had not a place to lay his head on and if he follows him he must not expect to fare better than he fared. We have reason to think this scribe went away. Another was too slow. Delay in doing is as bad on the one hand as hastiness in resolving is on the other. He asked leave to attend his father to his grave and then he would be at Christ's service. This seemed reasonable yet it was not right. He had not true zeal for the work. Burying the dead especially a dead father is a good work but it is not thy work at this time. If Christ requires our service affection even for the nearest and dearest relatives and for things otherwise our duty must give way. An unwilling mind never wants an excuse. Jesus said to him Follow me; and no doubt power went with this word to him as to others; he did follow Christ and cleaved to him. The scribe said I will follow thee; to this man Christ said Follow me; comparing them together it shows that we are brought to Christ by the force of his call to us Romans 9:16.

Commentary on Matthew 8:23-27

(Read Matthew 8:23-27)

It is a comfort to those who go down to the sea in ships and are often in perils there to reflect that they have a Saviour to trust in and pray to who knows what it is to be on the water and to be in storms there. Those who are passing with Christ over the ocean of this world must expect storms. His human nature like to ours in every thing but sin was wearied and he slept at this time to try the faith of his disciples. They in their fear came to their Master. Thus is it in a soul; when lusts and temptations are swelling and raging and God is as it were asleep to it this brings it to the brink of despair. Then it cries for a word from his mouth Lord Jesus keep not silence to me or I am undone. Many that have true faith are weak in it. Christ's disciples are apt to be disquieted with fears in a stormy day; to torment themselves that things are bad with them and with dismal thoughts that they will be worse. Great storms of doubt and fear in the soul under the power of the spirit of bondage sometimes end in a wonderful calm created and spoken by the Spirit of adoption. They were astonished. They never saw a storm so turned at once into a perfect calm. He that can do this can do any thing which encourages confidence and comfort in him in the most stormy day within or without Isaiah 26:4.

Commentary on Matthew 8:28-34

(Read Matthew 8:28-34)

The devils have nothing to do with Christ as a Saviour; they neither have nor hope for any benefit from him. Oh the depth of this mystery of Divine love; that fallen man has so much to do with Christ when fallen angels have nothing to do with him! Hebrews 2:16. Surely here was torment to be forced to own the excellence that is in Christ and yet they had no part in him. The devils desire not to have any thing to do with Christ as a Ruler. See whose language those speak who will have nothing to do with the gospel of Christ. But it is not true that the devils have nothing to do with Christ as a Judge; for they have and they know it and thus it is with all the children of men. Satan and his instruments can go no further than he permits; they must quit possession when he commands. They cannot break his hedge of protection about his people; they cannot enter even a swine without his leave. They had leave. God often for wise and holy ends permits the efforts of Satan's rage. Thus the devil hurries people to sin; hurries them to what they have resolved against which they know will be shame and grief to them: miserable is the condition of those who are led captive by him at his will. There are a great many who prefer their swine before the Saviour and so come short of Christ and salvation by him. They desire Christ to depart out of their hearts and will not suffer his word to have place in them because he and his word would destroy their brutish lusts those swine which they give themselves up to feed. And justly will Christ forsake all that are weary of him; and say hereafter Depart ye cursed to those who now say to the Almighty Depart from us.

── Matthew HenryConcise Commentary on Matthew

 

Matthew 8

Verse 4

[4] And Jesus saith unto him See thou tell no man; but go thy way shew thyself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded for a testimony unto them.

See thou tell no man|-Perhaps our Lord only meant here Not till thou hast showed thyself to the priest-who was appointed to inquire into the case of leprosy. But many others he commanded absolutely to tell none of tho miracles he had wrought upon them. And this he seems to have done chiefly for one or more of these reasons: 1. To prevent the multitude from thronging him in the manner related Mark 1:45. 2. To fulfil the prophecy Isaiah 42:1 that he would not be vain or ostentatious. This reason St. Matthew assigns Matthew 12:17 etc. 3. To avoid the being taken by force and made a king John 6:15. And 4. That he might not enrage the chief priests scribes and Pharisees who were the most bitter against him any more than was unavoidable Matthew 16:20 21.

For a testimony — That I am the Messiah; to them - The priests who otherwise might have pleaded want of evidence. Leviticus 14:2. 5.

There came to him a centurion — A captain of a hundred Roman soldiers. Probably he came a little way toward him and then went back. He thought himself not worthy to come in person and therefore spoke the words that follow by his messengers. As it is not unusual in all languages so in the Hebrew it is peculiarly frequent to ascribe to a person himself the thing which is done and the words which are spoken by his order. And accordingly St. Matthew relates as said by the centurion himself what others said by order from him. An instance of the same kind we have in the case of Zebedee's children. From St. Matthew Matthew 20:20 we learn it was their mother that spoke those words which Mark 10:35 37 themselves are said to speak; because she was only their mouth. Yet from verse 13 Matthew 8:13 Go thy way home it appears he at length came in person probably on hearing that Jesus was nearer to his house than he apprehended when he sent the second message by his friends. Luke 7:1.

Verse 8

[8] The centurion answered and said Lord I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only and my servant shall be healed.

The centurion answered — By his second messengers.

Verse 9

[9] For I am a man under authority having soldiers under me: and I say to this man Go and he goeth; and to another Come and he cometh; and to my servant Do this and he doeth it.

For I am a man under authority — I am only an inferior officer: and what I command is done even in my absence: how much more what thou commandest who art Lord of all!

Verse 10

[10] When Jesus heard it he marvelled and said to them that followed Verily I say unto you I have not found so great faith no not in Israel.

I have not found so great faith no not in Israel — For the centurion was not an Israelite.

Verse 11

[11] And I say unto you That many shall come from the east and west and shall sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.

Many from the farthest parts of the earth shall embrace the terms and enjoy the rewards of the Gospel covenant established with Abraham. But the Jews who have the first title to them shall be shut out from the feast; from grace here and hereafter from glory. Luke 13:29.

Verse 12

[12] But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The outer darkness — Our Lord here alludes to the custom the ancients had of making their feast in the night time. Probably while he was speaking this the centurion came in person. Matthew 13:42 50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30.

Verse 14

[14] And when Jesus was come into Peter's house he saw his wife's mother laid and sick of a fever.

Peter's wife's mother — St. Peter was then a young man as were all the apostles. Mark 1:29; Luke 4:38.

Verse 16

[16] When the even was come they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word and healed all that were sick:

Mark 1:32; Luke 4:40.

Verse 17

[17] That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet saying Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses.

Whereby was fulfilled what was spoken by the Prophet Isaiah — He spoke it in a more exalted sense. The evangelist here only alludes to those words as being capable of this lower meaning also. Such instances are frequent in the sacred writings and are elegancies rather than imperfections. He fulfilled these words in the highest sense by bearing our sins in his own body on the tree: in a lower sense by sympathizing with us in our sorrows and healing us of the diseases which were the fruit of sin. Isaiah 53:4.

Verse 18

[18] Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.

He commanded to go to the other side — That both himself and the people might have a little rest.

Verse 19

[19] And a certain scribe came and said unto him Master I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

Luke 9:57.

Verse 20

[20] And Jesus saith unto him The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

The Son of man — The expression is borrowed from Daniel 7:13 and is the appellation which Christ generally gives himself: which he seems to do out of humility as having some relation to his mean appearance in this world.

Hath not where to lay his head — Therefore do not follow me from any view of temporal advantage.

Verse 21

[21] And another of his disciples said unto him Lord suffer me first to go and bury my father.

Another said — I will follow thee without any such view; but I must mind my business first. It is not certain that his father was already dead. Perhaps his son desired to stay with him being very old till his death.

Verse 22

[22] But Jesus said unto him Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

But Jesus said — When God calls leave the business of the world to them who are dead to God.

Verse 23

[23] And when he was entered into a ship his disciples followed him.

Mark 4:35; Luke 8:22.

Verse 24

[24] And behold there arose a great tempest in the sea insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

The ship was covered — So man's extremity is God's opportunity.

Verse 26

[26] And he saith unto them Why are ye fearful O ye of little faith? Then he arose and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

Why are ye fearful — Then he rebuked the winds - First he composed their spirits and then the sea.

Verse 28

[28] And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes there met him two possessed with devils coming out of the tombs exceeding fierce so that no man might pass by that way.

The country of the Gergesenes — Or of the Gadarenes - Gergesa and Gadara were towns near each other. Hence the country between them took its name sometimes from the one sometimes from the other.

There met him two demoniacs — St. Mark and St. Luke mention only one who was probably the fiercer of the two and the person who spoke to our Lord first. But this is no way inconsistent with the account which St. Matthew gives.

The tombs — Doubtless those malevolent spirits love such tokens of death and destruction. Tombs were usually in those days in desert places at a distance from towns and were often made in the sides of caves in the rocks and mountains.

No one could pass — Safely. Mark 5:1; Luke 8:26.

Verse 29

[29] And behold they cried out saying What have we to do with thee Jesus thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

What have we to do with thee — This is a Hebrew phrase which signifies. Why do you concern yourself about us? 2 Samuel 16:10.

Before the time — The great day.

Verse 30

[30] And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.

There was a herd of many swine — Which it was not lawful for the Jews to keep. Therefore our Lord both justly and mercifully permitted them to be destroyed.

Verse 31

[31] So the devils besought him saying If thou cast us out suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.

He said Go — A word of permission only not command.

Verse 34

[34] And behold the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.

They besought him to depart out of their coasts — They loved their swine so much better than their souls! How many are of the same mind!

── John WesleyExplanatory Notes on Matthew

 

Chapter 8. Miracles of Faith

Only Speak a Word
My Servant Will Be Healed

I. Healing of Every Disease

  1. Cleanse Leprosy
  2. Heal Paralysis
  3. Peter's Mother-in-law

II. Different Kinds of Following Jesus

  1. Out of Human Enthusiasm
  2. In Response to the Calling of the Lord
  3. Walking with the Lord

III. Cast Demons into a Herd of Pigs

  1. Rush down the Steep Bank
  2. Into the Sea
  3. Doom to Its Own
── Chih-Hsin ChangAn Outline of The New Testament
                             
A Man Under Authority (8:5-13)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In Mt 8:5-13
we read of the healing of the centurion's servant...
   a. In which Jesus highly commends the centurion's faith
   b. Calling his faith greater than any He had found in Israel
 
2. This is not the only time we read of military personnel presented in
   a favorable light...
   a. There are several Biblical examples of soldiers
   b. Who were outstanding in their service to God
 
[In our text
I believe we find why soldiers were often such notable
examples of faith and service. Before we consider why
let's first 
review the examples of...]
 
I. SOME NOTABLE SOLDIERS IN THE BIBLE
 
   A. JOSHUA AND CALEB...
      1. These two men were soldiers who stand out
         a. They tried to persuade Israel to trust in God
and were
            threatened with death - Num 14:6-10
         b. In the end
they were the only ones over twenty-one who
            left Egypt to enter the Promised Land - Num 14:26-32
      2. Caleb was highly praised by God
         a. At the time he stood fast for the Lord - Num 14:24
         b. At the time he received the land promised to him - Josh
            14:6-14
         -- It is repeatedly emphasized that he "wholly followed the
            Lord God of Israel"
      3. Joshua was similarly remarkable
         a. In his farewell address (at age 110)
he takes his stand
            for the Lord - Josh 24:14-15
         b. His influence over his family was great enough that he knew
            how they would choose
 
   B. CORNELIUS
THE FIRST GENTILE CONVERT...
      1. His piety was remembered by the Lord - Ac 10:1-6
      2. In responding to the vision...
         a. He immediately sent for Peter - Ac 10:7-8
         b. He prepared an audience for Peter by gathering relatives 
            and close friends - Ac 10:24
         c. He was ready to hear whatever Peter had to say - Ac 10:33
      3. Cornelius and his family were obedient as implied in Ac 10:48
 
   C. THE PHILIPPIAN JAILER
THE FIRST EUROPEAN MALE CONVERT...
      1. Like Cornelius
his conversion was immediate - Ac 16:30-34
      2. His family likewise obeyed the gospel
 
[These four Biblical examples remind me of military men I have known;
men with similar dedication to the Lord
and success in influencing 
their families to follow them in their service to the Lord.
 
Coincidence?  I think not.  What I see is a particular attitude toward
authority
one found in the centurion of our text (cf. Mt 8:8-9).
Consider what is involved with being...]
 
II. A MAN UNDER AUTHORITY
 
   A. THE MILITARY TEACHES THE IMPORTANCE OF AUTHORITY...
      1. Without a respected line of authority
chaos would develop
         a. It is impossible for a large group of individuals to 
            function efficiently without a chain of command that is 
            respected
         b. Instead of united
coordinated forces
it would be every
            man for himself!
      2. Soldiers are taught to submit to authority immediately
         a. Delay can disastrous on the battlefield
where speed can
            mean the difference between life or death
victory or 
            defeat
         b. Questioning authority
balking at keeping commands
can 
            easily result in one's own death and that of their comrades
      3. Thus the military teaches both:
         a. How to submit to authority
         b. How to exercise authority over others
         -- As expressed by the centurion - Mt 8:8-9
 
   B. KNOWING HOW TO "SUBMIT" TO AUTHORITY
MILITARY MEN...
      1. Often obey the will of the Lord immediately upon hearing the
         gospel
         a. They realize that delay can be disastrous
         b. They would not hesitate to follow orders if their lives
            were in danger
why hesitate when their souls are in 
            jeopardy?
      2. Often follow the Lord with a "whole heart"
         a. They understand the need to submit to authority totally
         b. If it were just a game
one might be justified to be half-
            hearted
not taking things seriously
         c. But warfare
whether carnal or spiritual
requires complete
            devotion and total concentration to the task at hand! - cf.
            Ep 6:11-13
      3. Often influence their entire families for the Lord
         a. By such careful submission to the will of the Lord
they
            set a notable example for their children
         b. Their children see that serving the Lord is serious 
            business for their father; there must be something to it
 
   C. KNOWING HOW TO "EXERCISE" AUTHORITY
MILITARY MEN...
      1. Often raise their children in subjection
         a. Obedient to their parents
         b. Eventually following parental in obedience to the Lord
      2. This is not to say they are necessarily strict martinets
but
         they exercise authority...
         a. With firmness
making it advisable for a child to obey
         b. With wisdom
making it natural for a child to obey
         c. With love
making it with willingness for a child to obey
      3. Often become elders to rule over the house of God - cf. 1 Ti
         3:4-5
         a. Having demonstrated their ability to rule over the house of
            God
         b. By first exercising authority over their own household
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. My purpose is not encourage you to enlist in the military... 
   a. But to suggest we would do well to remember the examples of those
      in the military
   b. For we are to be a people under authority
the authority of Jesus
      Christ!
      1) An authority over all things in heaven and on earth - Mt 28:18
      2) An authority that demands that we do what He has commanded 
         - Mt 28:19-20
 
2. In an aged marked by permissiveness
it behooves Christians to 
   possess a military attitude regarding authority
for we are engaged
   in a spiritual warfare with Satan and his influences
   a. Not submitting to the authority of God with all haste...
      1) Could mean the damnation of our own soul
      2) And a bad example for our children
   b. Not exercising our authority as Christian parents...
      1) May lead to our children taking the broad way that leads to
         destruction!
      2) May result in delivering our children to Satan on a silver 
         platter!
 
3. How much better...
   a. To be like Caleb
and "wholly serve the Lord God"
   b. To be like Joshua
and declare "as for me and my house
we will
      serve the Lord"
   -- Just as our nation says
"Uncle Sam Needs You!" so the Lord's 
      church says
"The Lord Jesus Christ Needs You!"
 
Is your faith like that of the centurion
who recognized the power of
authority when he saw it?  If you have not yet obeyed the gospel of
Christ
or need to return to the Lord
follow the example of Cornelius
and the Philippian jailer and act immediately!  You might save not only
yourself
but your children and friends as well!

 

The Challenge Of Following Jesus (8:18-22)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. As Jesus went about His earthly ministry
He was often followed by
   large multitudes...
   a. Drawn by His teachings - Mt 7:28-8:1
   b. Attracted by His miracles - Mt 8:16-18
 
2. Some of those who followed Him wanted to become His disciples...
   a. Willing to be taught by Jesus - e.g.
Mt 5:1-2
   b. Wanting to follow Jesus as their Lord and Master - e.g.
Mt 8:19
 
3. Jesus would later command His apostles to make disciples of all the
   nations...
   a. As found in The Great Commission - Mt 28:19-20
   b. Clearly Jesus wanted people to become His disciples
 
4. But Jesus never misled the multitudes...
   a. It would not be easy to be His disciple
   b. Following Him would be a challenge!
 
5. In our text for today's study (Mt 8:18-22)
we find Jesus responding
   to two individuals regarding the matter of discipleship...
   a. "The hasty scribe" who wanted to become a disciple
   b. "The reluctant disciple" who needed to be reminded of what it
      meant to be a disciple
 
[This passage should remind us of "The Challenge Of Following Jesus"
taken seriously by all who would be His disciples.  For instance
in 
the case of "the hasty scribe" we learn...]
 
I. ONE MUST BE WILLING TO COUNT THE COST
 
   A. THE SCRIBE'S OFFER...
      1. He expressed a willingness to follow Jesus anywhere - Mt 8:19
      2. A commendable offer
but does he know what it means?
 
   B. THE MASTER'S REPLY...
      1. Jesus informed the scribe that He was homeless - Mt 8:20
         a. As an itinerant preacher
Jesus had no place to call home
         b. Many a night might be spent with no roof overhead
      2. To follow Jesus at that time would mean to leave all
         a. As was necessary for Peter
Andrew
James
and John - Mt 4:
            18-22
         b. As was encouraged of the rich young ruler - Mt 19:21
 
   C. ONE NEEDS TO COUNT THE COST BEFORE BECOMING A DISCIPLE...
      1. As Jesus told the multitudes who followed Him - Lk 14:25-33
      2. One does not have to become homeless to follow Jesus today
         but we must still:
         a. Love Him more than family and life
         b. Forsake all by making Him the Lord and Ruler of our lives
      3. In our zeal to win souls
do we neglect to tell people the 
         cost of becoming a disciple of Jesus?
         a. The cost of observing all that Jesus commands? - Mt 28:20
         b. A cost that might require a radical change in one's life?
            1) E.g.
quitting jobs that interfere with holy living
            2) E.g.
leaving friends who seek to lead one astray
            3) E.g.
changing lifestyles
or getting out of unlawful
               marriages
         c. That one's repentance is fundamental to the gospel message? 
            - cf. Lk 24:46-47; Ac 2:38; 3:19; 17:30-31; 20:20-21
 
[When a person wants to follow Jesus
that is wonderful!  But we should
remind people there is a cost involved
one they need to consider 
before they commit.
 
For those who are already disciples
we must not forget "The Challenge
Of Following Jesus".  In the case of "the reluctant disciple"
we are
reminded that...]
 
II. WE MUST BE WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE
 
   A. THE DISCIPLE'S REQUEST...
      1. He desires to forego following Jesus in order to bury his
         father first - Mt 8:21
      2. Sounds like a devoted son
what harm is there in his request?
 
   B. THE MASTER'S RESPONSE...
      1. Jesus tells him to follow Him and let the dead bury their own
         dead - Mt 8:22
         a. I.e.
let the spiritually dead bury the physical dead
         b. Others could handle such familial tasks
his responsibility
            was to answer to a higher calling
      2. Jesus often made it clear...to follow Him meant putting Him
         before family
         a. As we saw earlier - Lk 14:26
         b. As He taught His disciples in preparing them for The 
            Limited Commission - Mt 10:34-37
         c. As He set the pattern on one occasion when His family was
            seeking Him - cf. Mt 12:46-50
 
   C. WE NEED TO PAY THE PRICE OF BEING DISCIPLES...
      1. As disciples
we are taught there may be a price to pay to
         remain faithful
         a. As Paul taught the new disciples on his first journey 
            - Ac 14:21-22
         b. As Paul wrote to Timothy at the end of his life - 2 Ti 3:
            10-12
      2. Far too often
disciples today want to first "bury the dead"
         such as:
         a. Putting family responsibilities before the Lord
            1) E.g.
missing services to entertain visiting family or
               friends
            2) Did not Jesus tell Martha some things take precedent
               over the desire to be a gracious host? - Lk 10:38-42
         b. Accepting jobs when they know it will hinder their service
            to the Lord
            1) E.g.
occupations that are so demanding
one has little
               time or energy left
            2) You might think them necessary to support family
but
               did not Jesus promise that God will provide if you put
               the kingdom first? - Mt 6:31-33
      3. In our zeal to provide for our families
do we forget that we
         are disciples of Christ?
         a. There are many good and noble things that can be done in
            relation to kin and occupation
         b. But as disciples of Christ
we have a higher and more noble
            calling - 1 Pe 2:9-10
            1) As a chosen generation
a royal priesthood
a holy 
               nation
God's own special people
            2) To proclaim the praises of God who called us out of
               darkness into His marvelous light
         c. If we can't "bury the dead" without neglecting our service
            to Jesus
then we must "let the dead bury the dead"!
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. In many places
the Lord's church suffers through neglect...
   a. Attendance is sporadic
   b. Service rendered is minimal
   c. Discipleship is practiced only when convenient
 
2. There may be many reasons for this
but I suspect two head the 
   list...
   a. Teaching the gospel without mention of the cost of discipleship
   b. Disciples who have forgotten there is a price to pay for 
      following Jesus
 
3. In an age of "easy believism"
do not forget "The Challenge Of
   Following Jesus"...
   a. Let "the hasty scribe" remind you to count the cost of becoming a
      disciple
   b. Let "the reluctant disciple" remind you of the need to pay the
      price of being a follower of Jesus!
 
This is one of the paradoxes of Christianity:  the salvation that Jesus
offers is a free gift
but it comes at a high cost.  Jesus truly "paid
it all"
so one cannot earn their salvation; but as our Savior and Lord
He requires that we have the servant mentality:
 
   "So likewise you
when you have done all those things which you
   are commanded
say
`We are unprofitable servants. We have done
   what was our duty to do.'"  (Lk 17:10)
 
Have you counted the cost?  Are you willing to pay the price?  Both are
required to follow Jesus!

 

--《Executable Outlines