"Jesus Wins" July 22 Readings: Matthew 8:18-9:38

Today's Reading - Matthew 8:18-9:38

Background

There are Bible teachers who think that chronological Bible reading is less than helpful; some even oppose it. We embark today on a section that demonstrates why those critics have a point. It is still helpful to read the Bible in any way, and the way we are doing it is valid, and I believe helpful, but it has its downsides.

Each of the Gospel writers had a purpose. They were not simply chronicling the life of Christ, but they were making a point. Matthew was showing the authority of Jesus as King, the rightful king in the line of David, Israel's true ruler. He chose certain stories in a certain order based on his purpose and the points he was trying to make. For the next several days we will be reading Matthew 8:18-12:50, which help to set this theme, begun in the genealogy in chapter 1 and carried through every page of the book. Many of these stories were already told in Mark and Luke, and come from Jesus' early Galilean ministry, but Matthew gives them slightly different placement because he is using these stories to make a different point.

As we read through these chapters, we will see several recurrent, even escalating themes.

• The call of Jesus to follow him, the costs of doing so, and the power that Jesus gives to those who follow him. 
• The authority of Jesus over all things - demons, sickness and disease, nature, the Sabbath, and all things in creation. He is King of kings!
• The growing opposition to Jesus, especially from those who refuse to submit to his kingship, culminating in the harsh teaching about the blasphemy of the Spirit. 

Matthew was telling his readers that following Jesus is not easy, but it is glorious.

Devotional - Jesus Wins

The gospel writers never told stories to amaze us, though Jesus' deeds were amazing. They did not seek to entertain us, though the things Jesus did were fascinating. They told the stories of Jesus that they told for specific reasons. Here, Matthew tells us three stories about Jesus, three stories of his glory and power. Each of these stories is told in greater detail in other gospels.

First, Jesus is on a boat in the Sea of Galilee, and a storm blows up that scares the disciples into a panic. Remember, these were professional fisherman - they knew when the danger was real. But what was Jesus doing? He was asleep in the bottom of the boat, resting in God's protection over him. When they woke him, he rebuked them for their lack of faith and then he blew their minds. He rebuked the winds and the waves and the storm suddenly ceased and the sea was calm. Jesus spoke and the sea responded.

The next story happened in the Gadarene area on the northeastern shore of the Galilee. There, Jesus encountered two men who were possessed by many demons. After a confrontation, Jesus cast the demons out, sending them into a herd of pigs who ran down into the water and drowned (I will not use the old jokes that the local Hogicide department came to investigate this suey-cide). The confrontation between Jesus and the demons ended in absolute victory - Jesus won and the demons fled.

The final story takes place back in Capernaum when a man on a stretcher is brought to Jesus, (let down through a roof, as we learn elsewhere). Jesus did something strange before he healed the man, something that offended the religious leaders who were following him and watching him. He told the man that his sins were forgiven. Healing him was one thing, but claiming to forgive his sins was an act of hubris, even of blasphemy. Jesus did not back down, but healed the man and made it clear that he had every right to forgive sin - the Father had given him that authority.

That is what these stories are all about. Matthew was not just telling interesting stories about Jesus but reminding us of the awesome power and authority of Jesus. He had authority over nature itself, speaking to the storm and making it stop. He had authority over demons, demonstrating full authority to cast them out. He had authority over sickness and disease, telling the lame man to rise up and walk.

But the most important authority of Jesus is the one he lays claim to in Matthew 9:6, the right to forgive sin. He is the one who can remove the burden of sin from the backs of people like you and me.

Whatever it is that you are facing today, whatever your challenges, you can know this, the authority of Jesus Christ extends to whatever is badgering you. He can heal. He can frustrate the schemes and works of the enemy. There is no power on earth that he cannot overcome to accomplish his work. This Jesus we serve - he wins! He is mighty and awesome and has all authority in heaven and on earth.

Most of all, by his death and resurrection, he has authority over sin and death and hell. Your sin cannot destroy you or send you to hell because Jesus has conquered it.

Father, I thank you for Jesus who triumphed over everything - sin, death, hell - and has the authority to deal with every problem I face. 

Think and Pray

What are the struggles and trials that you are facing? Illness? Is the enemy bringing his schemes and attacks against you? Is this world filled with trouble?

Remember that Jesus Christ has all authority over all of those things that trouble you. Trust in him.
Also remember that Jesus is victorious over sin. Seek him and confess sin.