Context Matthew consistently paints Jesus as the true Messiah, the King who fulfills ancient prophecies and embodies the Kingdom of Heaven...
Context
Matthew consistently paints Jesus as the true Messiah,
the King who fulfills ancient prophecies and embodies the Kingdom of
Heaven. Chapter 8, coming right after the Sermon on the Mount where
Jesus unveils the principles of this Kingdom, showcases His incredible
authority in action. He doesn't just talk about power; He demonstrates
it: healing the sick, welcoming outsiders, calming storms, and defeating
evil. These actions prepare us for the rest of Matthew, where Jesus
faces growing opposition but continues to display His authority through
miracles, parables, and clashes with religious leaders.
Proposition: You should submit to Jesus.
Transition: Matthew 8 shows several reasons to submit to Christ.
Reasons
1) Because He heals the sick (verses 1-4)
Jesus
doesn't merely talk about healing; He performs it. From lepers to
Peter's own mother-in-law, Jesus demonstrates His authority over all
disease, foreshadowing the ultimate healing He offers from the sickness
of sin. Submitting means turning to Him as the only true source of
restoration – the true "therapeuo", the Greek word for healing that
speaks of making whole and restoring to health.
2) Because He heals remotely (verses 5-13)
The
centurion's faith truly astounds Jesus. Without seeing the sick
servant in person, this Gentile believes a simple word from Jesus will
bring healing. This demonstrates profound faith in Jesus' authority,
recognizing that His power is not limited by distance or physical
presence. Submitting to Jesus includes trusting that He can heal us from
the sickness of our sin, without even physically coming under our roof –
it requires faith in His authority and willingness to save. Just as
Jesus welcomes the Roman centurion, a Gentile, into His Kingdom, this
shows His grace extends to everyone, regardless of background or status.
True submission means recognizing His welcome is for all who seek Him
humbly, understanding that He alone offers healing and salvation.
3) Because He demands priority (verses 18-22)
While
many are drawn to Jesus, He makes the cost clear. Following Him
requires leaving everything else behind. Submission means making His
Kingdom our ultimate focus, trusting that He offers something far
greater than anything we might sacrifice. The Greek word Jesus used for
following, "akoloutheo", means more than just walking beside someone; it
implies changing your whole life's direction to align with His.
4) Because He controls nature (verses 23-27)
With
just a word, Jesus calms the terrifying storm. He has power over the
forces that overwhelm us. True submission means trusting Him completely,
believing He holds authority even in the midst of life's most chaotic
storms. The Greek words used here evoke the image of Him commanding and
rebuking the natural elements, demonstrating His mastery of the world He
created.
5) Because He defeated spiritual forces (verses 28-34)
The
scene confronting Jesus is utterly terrifying - two men possessed by
demons so powerful that the entire region lived in fear. No chains could
bind them, no human strength could subdue their destructive rage. Yet,
these demonic forces, capable of superhuman feats, immediately
recognize Jesus' authority. They cower in terror, acknowledging His
power to torment them and determine their fate. Jesus' power extends
even to the darkest spiritual realm. He liberates the oppressed,
demonstrating His absolute authority over even the most fearsome powers.
True submission means aligning ourselves with His victory over evil,
rejecting any lesser power that seeks to control us. The scene here is
one of spiritual warfare, with Jesus driving out these forces using His
'exousia', a power and authority that none can resist.
Invitation
If
you haven't yet, there's one crucial step to begin fully submitting to
Jesus. His healing, His welcome, even His authority – these are all
rooted in His sacrifice on the cross. Just like those tormented men in
Matthew 8, we're all trapped in a way. Our sins have created a debt we
can never repay, a spiritual debt that leads to death.
Worse,
dark forces use leverage to control and manipulate the lost. It's a
desperate situation, and we have no way to save ourselves. But there's
hope! Jesus stepped into our hopeless situation. On the cross, He
shouldered our sin-debt, taking the punishment we deserved. In doing so,
He broke the chains of sin and disarmed the powers of darkness,
defeating them publicly in a stunning victory (Colossians 2:14-15). Now,
because of Jesus, you don't have to remain a slave to sin and its
consequences. He offers forgiveness, freedom, and a life aligned with
His victory. Will you trust Him as your Savior? Will you submit to His
authority and experience the life He has won for you? Don't stay
enslaved a minute longer - turn to Jesus today!
Call to Believers
Friends,
these displays of Jesus' power, compassion, and authority aren't just
stories; they're a challenge. He proves He deserves our full submission.
Have we truly prioritized His Kingdom above everything else? Are we
trusting Him in life's storms or still desperately trying to control the
chaos ourselves? Is there any area of our lives where we're clinging to
a false sense of control instead of submitting to His Lordship? Let
today be the day we surrender anew to the One whose authority brings
true life.
Photo by Johannes Plenio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/silhouette-photography-of-boat-on-water-during-sunset-1118874/
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