Matthew – God’s Purposes
After teaching the multitudes on the mountain top, Jesus walks down to the minister to those who are suffering in every day life in the valley. It is in this ministry of healing, touching lives and changing their outcomes of living day to day Jesus uses to glorify God. This is the purpose of Jesus’ ministry…to point people back to God, their Father and Creator.
He restores people to health in all ways. He brings physical healing and spiritual restoration. Jesus, who is God’s Son, came to earth to reintroduce or introduce for the first time all people of all nations to God. He came to show them the character of God, how God works, how much God loves and cares for us, along with God’s desire for people to come back to Him and love Him back.
We must not forget God’s purpose in Jesus’ mission to seek and to save the lost as we read each passage of Jesus’ ministry and miraculous moments of glorifying God. He is led by God. He is told what to say and when to act upon God’s behalf. “I only say and do what the Father tells me to say and do”. He tells the people in front of Him this statement many times. So we must keep this in mind as we read of Jesus’ actions on behalf of God, OUR Father.Jesus Cleanses a Leper
8 When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. 2 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
3 Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant
5 Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”
7 And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
8 The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! 11 And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.Peter’s Mother-in-Law Healed
14 Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. 15 So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.
QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT:
In all three healing miracles, God is praised and given “testimony” to his greatness. There is a man of great faith, the centurion, who realizes that just a word from Jesus, God’s Son, will make his servant well again. The leper goes to the local priest to show his restoration and cleanness that gives testimony to the work of God. Peter’s mother in law is healed so that God is praised and glorified right before this new disciple’s eyes. I’m pretty sure that Peter never forgot that moment in time in his life and future ministry with God!
So, what does this mean for our daily living? When has God stepped into your life and brought healing, restoration, power and resolution in ways that showed His glory?
Ponder that for awhile. Make a mental list then praise God for each moment. There will be more moments as we live our lives in ways to give Him all the glory, honor and praise!Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the ways you touch our lives. To you be all the glory! We are nothing without You. We can do nothing of significance for your Kingdom without You leading us and helping us. Thank you for inviting us to join you in your work. You are our life! All of life!
In Jesus Name, Amen
