Jesus did a series of Healing Miracles from Matthew Chap 8 to 9. Matt 9:35 forms an end of an inclusio of this series of activities beginning from 4:23 onwards. Hence the Sermon on the Mount should also be taken into consideration on Jesus' teaching focus on more Spiritual issues than Material ones.
The Miraculous activities from 8:1 to 9:35 all points to more than just the spectacular Miracles itself, which most will quickly carelessly conclude. These cannot be simply claimed to any individual today, given it's absolute fulfillment and magnitute of achievement.
1. Healing of a leper (8:1-4)
Jesus willingness to touch a Leper which is unclean according to Jewish Laws (Lev 13). Instead of getting himself infected (which is what the Law was trying to prevent), Jesus made the Leper Clean instead. He wanted him to tell no one perhaps because he was not ready to publicise his work, but asked him to present a gift as required under the Mosiac Law.
Jesus demonstrates his Power to make spiritually unclean people clean, just as how he used a Healing Miracle to demonstrate his Power to forgive Sins (9:1-7).
2. Healing of Centurion's servant (8:5-13)
Illustrates Jesus authority which has similar nature to the Centurion's (v9). The Centurions normally operates out of Major cities like Syria or Caesarea which is quite far away. It was quite unusual for him to travel personally all the way to Jewish territory to look for Jesus. And Jesus was actually ready to cross Jewish borders to heal his servant (v7). But the Centurion recognised who Jesus was, the Messiah who was able to save. It was based on this Faith that Jesus said this,
"10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west,and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”" - Matt 8:10-12
What Jesus was saying, was that Israel (the subjects of the Kingdom) did not believed who he was, whereas Gentiles like the Centurion did. The Faith he was referring to is not about the healing, but about the identity of the Messiah.
Today, the word of God bears witness to these events that proves that Jesus is the Christ. The purpose of Signs and Wonders has been exhausted and is seldom required. Today, the bible is our prove.
3. Jesus Healed the crowd (8:14-17)
Mathew quoted Isaiah 53:5 in 8:17. But in Isaiah 53:5, the context was of healing of Sin, not Physical infirmities :
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed. - Isaiah 53:5
Notice the terms ""pierced for transgressions" and "crushed for iniquities". Hence is he was tortured for our sins, it is only logical that by his wounds our Sins are cured. This is consistent with Isaiah 1:5 which describes Israel as Spiritually Sick because of Sin.
Why should you be stricken again?
You will revolt more and more.
The whole head is sick,
And the whole heart faints.- Isaiah 1:5
Isaiah 35:5-6 also talks about Physical Healing which will happen in the Millennial Kingdom :
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
6 Then the lame shall leap like a deer,
And the tongue of the dumb sing. - Isaiah 35:5-6
Hence while Isaiah 53:4 states the healing for Sin and transgression, Matthew is illustrating the ability of Jesus to prove that he is that Messiah who heals in the Millennial Kingdom, by giving a preview to Israel by demonstrating his power to heal Physically when he was there.
4. Cost of discipleship (8:18-22)
It is interesting that Matthew places this narrative in the middle of this series of Miracles. In ancient times, some Jewish sects like the Essences made their followers relinquish their property as a criteria to follow them.
Jews were also called to honour their father and mother, burying the dead was an important fulfilment of that commandment (Tobit 4:3-4, 4 Maccabees 16:11). This was also consistent with Greek culture. Jesus request for them to "let the dead bury their own dead" to follow Him would be a culture shock to them.
5. Jesus calms the Storm (8:23-27)
"27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”" - Matt 8:27
Jesus once again demonstrates what no other mortals can do, that he is the Son of God. No other modern day Healing Evangelist can come even close to mimicking such power.
6. Deliverance of the Demoniac (8:28-34)
"“Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”". Even the Demons recognized Jesus when the Pharisees could not. And just like the Pharisees, they anticipate the coming of the Messiah to establish His Kingdom. But did not foresaw his coming as a man.
Jesus had absolute authority over Demon Spirits. He did not perform any rituals nor Charismatic mantras. The demons had to seek permission to leave at the command of a single word, "Go".
No modern day exorcists, clairvoyant or self proclaimed prophets can ever exude such authority. Only Magicians and Sorcerors follow rituals and spells, but Jesus had the ultimate authority above all.
7. Healing of the Paralytic (9:1-7)
The whole point of this narrative is this,
4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? - Matt 9:4
The intrinsic answer is of course, healing of the paralytic man. And because healing being the lesser task, Jesus was using this to demonstrate his ultimate power to forgive Sins.
8. Teaching on Discipleship again (9:9-17)
This is the 2nd narrative break on this series of Miracle accounts. Jesus encounter with the Pharisees at Matthew's House demonstrates that Jesus came for those who are willing to acknowledge their Sinful state as opposed to the pride of the Pharisees.
" 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”- Matt 9:12-13
In the Old Testament, the Law only required fasting on the day of Atonement. Many other days of fasting were implemented by religious sects such as the Pharisees.
His point about the old and new garment and wineskins, is for believers to forsake the old Wineskins of man-made Tradition and be prepared to embrace the the new fulfillment of the New Covenent.
9. Healed a Woman with issue of blood (9:18-22)
This shows Jesus coming down to the woman's level of Faith. Just as the Centurion believed that Jesus can heal at a word despite of the distance apart (8:5-13), the woman believed she can be healed by touching his garments (considered unclean for a woman under menstrual issues).
Again, the Faith that healed the woman, is her understanding of who Jesus is, the authority of the promised Messiah; he is not merely a Faith Healer.
10. Raised daughter at Synagogue leader's house (9:23-25)
Jesus performed an ultimate miracle in this series of narratives, raising the dead. Again touching the dead is considered unclean under Jewish Laws, but Jesus gave life to the dead girl instead.
The girl couldn't have the faith to believe in her resurrection. This is to demonstrate that Christ has the power to save us from spiritual death even though we are dead in trespasses (Eph 2:1-10)
11. Healing of blind and mute men (9:27-34)
A key question in v28 "“Do you believe that I am able to do this?”". "29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”" Just like the woman with the issue of blood, the Faith that healed them is based on their understanding of who Jesus was, the promised Messiah of the Jewish hope.
Jesus miracle parade worked. " “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”". And indeed nothing as spectacular will go beyond the ministry of Jesus and his Apostles. Given as a proof of Jesus ministry and the Apostles doctrine written in the New Testament.
Conclusion :
The Miracles performed by Jesus proves his Authority over Diseases, Demons, Forces of Nature and even Death. It proves Jesus ultimate authority to provide forgiveness of Sins.
Matthew's quote on Isaiah 53:5 provided a preview of Jesus' ability to provide actual Physical Healing which will take place at the Millennial Kingdom (Isaiah 35:5-6).
Our spiritual restoration, as demonstrated by the healing by Faith, is characterized by our recognition of our hopelessly Sinful state (9:12-13), willingness to forsake our worldly values (8:18-22), and Faith in knowing Jesus Saves (9:21-22, 28-29)
These Miracles will not be repeated today by having self-professed Prophets and Apostles trying to demonstrate the same power that Jesus has. Today, God will speak to the hearts and minds of those whom he has chosen, and will grant Miraculous Signs according to his will and purpose. This is something that no human is able to invoke or replicate.
This explains why Healing Miracles today happens randomly and will never be 100% fulfilled as recorded in the gospels, at least not until the 2nd coming.
So what's the point of showing us Miracles in the bible? It is to prove from the written Word of God that Jesus has the power to save.
No comments:
Post a Comment