The 3rd story in ch 8 (v.14-17) is also about the powerful word of Jesus. Remember the leper was cleansed by just the words, "be clean," and the centurion said, "just say the word and my servant will be healed v.8"
v.16 When it was evening, many demon-possessed people were brought to him. He drove out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick.
In every miracles, there is something more about Jesus than just to see that He has authority. Matthew in v.17 quoted Isaiah, "“He took our weaknesses and carried our diseases.” Isaiah 53 is well-known as the passage about the suffering Servant. Why those people were healed? The suffering Servant, Jesus, took all the pains to Himself. Peter's mother-in-law was so sick that she could not get up v.24, NET, "having been thrown down”...This indicates the severity of her sickness." The demon-possessed people suffered under the demons. Jesus took all that to Himself. How about yours?
In 18-27 the theme "following" is repeated. Following is more than walking behind a person, it means to be someone's student. It also means sacrifice. Sermon notes, "As a scribe, he will lose his political and religious power to follow Jesus, but Jesus said that will be a lot more. No more comfort life."
Moreover, here Jesus told them in v.20 Foxes have dens, and the birds in the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” NET, " Does the man understand the rejection he will be facing? Jesus has no home in the world (the Son of Man has no place to lay his head)."
Lastly, in v.21-22 one needs to put all their relationship behind, and put God first.
Again, this is Chinese New Year, do you remember your new year resolution in 2020? Is "sacrifice more for Jesus" one of your resolution?
Audrey
Comments