Matthew 8:14-22; 13:53-58, Evidence (4)

Ø Healing Peter’s mother-in-law.

In this story we see the same traits in the Savior.  He is willing to heal, in this case, without even being asked.  In the case of the woman, we see how she responded to Jesus’ kindness in the best way she knew how, serving Him and the disciples through hospitality.

When evening came many sick and troubled people were brought to Jesus.  Many were healed and demons were cast out.  There was a freedom here for Jesus that He did not have in Nazareth.  What was the difference?  Matt. 13:58 says it was because of the unbelief in Nazareth.  Does this mean that a person always had to have faith in order to be healed?  There are too many healings in the Gospels where Jesus does not ask for faith first (e.g. Lk. 7:11ff, the raising of the widow’s son).  In John 9 Jesus first healed the blind man and later asked about his faith. 

Instead, I believe the issue is simply whether or not people have faith to bring themselves or their ailing friends to Jesus for healing.  In Nazareth there was a general mistrust of Jesus because the people had known Him since His childhood.  Jesus never had a shortage of power and authority.  But if people were reluctant to come, He did not have the opportunity.  In Galilee, on the other hand, there was a great readiness among the people to bring the sick to Jesus. 

Keep in mind that Jesus’ purpose was not to make people feel better physically.  Matthew’s quote from Isa. 53:4 makes this clear.  The Servant/Messiah was to come and suffer for the people, taking their sickness and weaknesses upon Himself.  Following Christ is not about feeling good, about having an easy life because Christ is always there to make it easy for us.  By healing the sick and casting out demons Jesus is powerfully declaring His identification with our sin and sorrow.  These things he bears and carries. 

What we are wanting to point out here is amplified in what follows in 8:18-22.

·        First, there comes a point in the evening where the multitude of people causes Jesus to want to leave and take the boat to the other side of Galilee.  Jesus does not heal everyone.  And Jesus is not about the crowds.  The eventual problem is that people no longer will seek the Healer; they will seek the healing (John 6:26f).

·        Then Jesus speaks to two who want to follow Him.  He makes it clear to them that the following is not about being free of problems or difficulties. 

The focus in the healings is not the change in the sick person.  The focus is the Healer.  How amazing that God would come to earth in His Son and have such a strong connection with us, sick and sorrowful people that we are.  He not only lived alongside us; He touched the leper.  He bore our sins and our sorrows.  That is what is amazing.  Who is this Man?