May 26, 2018 MATTHEW CHAPTER 8
Matthew 8 turns to Jesus' healing ministry. Through these miracles, we see Jesus power and love. Jesus cleanses a leper with a compassionate touch. He heals a centurion's servant without being physically present with the sick child. Showing His sovereignty over all evil, he casts out demons. In the Matthew 8:26 we see His authority over nature. Jesus is King over...everything!
True discipleship requires our trust in and submission to the absolute authority of King Jesus.
What areas of your life do you struggle to trust and surrender?
(Faith Sanders) Matthew 8:18-22 in my Bible is a section marked, 'The cost of following Jesus.' verse 20 says, 'Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."' and vesre 22 says, 'But Jesus told him, " Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead'."' Those two verses along with the title of this particular section really hit home in my heart. Yes, there is a cost for following Jesus. No, you may not always have a safe place to lay your head. Yes, you may have to leave people and things you love. No, it won't always be easy. But there is an eternal reward in heaven. I was able to tie this part of the chapter to Phillipians 3:14, which says, 'I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.' God has called us heavenward to win the prize of eternal life with Christ Jesus. Even though there may be trials, temptations, and struggle.... Jesus is worth it. He is always worth it.
ReplyDeleteAmen! So true and so encouraging to hear your heart and passion for King Jesus. He is totally worth it! You can't outgive God!
Delete(Sorry this is late) I really love 8:23-27 because it shows that Jesus has complete authority and power to do anything, like calm a storm! But also I see it that He can calm the storms in our lives too. If we give Him control in whatever wears facing, everything in our lives, He will not leave us. When we chose to follow Him and let go of everything for Him, He will be with us, inside of us and overflowing! And so no matter what happens in this life, we can know that this world is not our home. There is pain here, and sorrow, and trials, and wars, and brokenness, and storms. But our hope is in the one true God almighty, who has already defeated the brokenness and evil of this world! If our hope is in Him and Him alone, we have NOTHING to fear! He has overcome every hurt with healing, every sorrow with joy, every darkness with light, real light! If we believe in Him, why would we need to be afraid?
ReplyDeleteAmen! Makes me think of a song I've been hearing on the radio: Fear he is a liar
DeleteHe will take your breath
Stop you in your steps
Fear he is a liar
He will rob your rest
Steal your happiness
Cast your fear in the fire
'Cause fear he is a liar
Let Your fire fall and cast out all my fears
Let Your fire fall Your love is all I feel