THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 8:1-4
“See that you don’t tell anyone.” (Matthew 8:4)
Why does Jesus try to keep His healing activity undercover?
I wonder if it’s because healing is NOT the reason for His mission.
Sure it will be a result of His mission, but it is not what He came to do.
Jesus does not want His work sidelined by a focus on healing.
He can heal, and He does, but they serve as signs and wonders to His identity.
He is God’s promised Messiah, come to defeat Satan and restore humanity and God’s kingdom.
Believe in the Messiah, not just the miracles!
They are signs, which point to something – Someone – beyond themselves.
It seems to me that people may be more interested in the gift than the Giver.
People clamor for miracles, but seem to be using the Messiah to that end.
Not everyone is healed, not everyone has their circumstances changed.
But everyone can know Jesus, everyone can experience strength, hope, peace and love!
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13)
If you only believe in Jesus for miracles, you will be disappointed.
Jesus didn’t come to perform signs for us, but to set us free through His life, death and resurrection!
“Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:22-24)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, knowing You is enough. Knowing Your strength, Your victory, Your love is the real wonder. Help me not to be silent about You, but to tell everyone about You!
Jesus did miracles and parables to show and tell about the kingdom – how to live in His world. And this social outcast comes along, a man not allowed to be in society because of his disease and asks for healing if the Lord desired. That took faith. He was living in the kingdom already. He was already a disciple of Jesus. And he would go and return to live among the people showing what the Lord God had done for him, a living witness of God’s grace in his life, an example for all to see what God can do. He returned to the community and lived among the people as a living testimony in His kingdom. A true disciple of Jesus Christ.
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is hatred let me bring your love
Where there is injury, your pardon Lord
And where there’s doubt, true faith in you
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there’s sadness ever joy