What Jesus Did

There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding in the distance. So the demons [in the two men Jesus encountered after crossing the lake] begged, "If you cast us out, send us into that herd of pigs."
"All right, go!" Jesus commanded them. So the demons came out of the men and entered the pigs, and the whole herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.


—Matthew 8:30-32 NLT

Key Thought​

Two truths are powerfully illustrated by these verses...

 

When Jesus arrived on the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gadarenes, two men who were possessed by demons met him. They came out of the tombs and were so violent that no one could go through that area.
They began screaming at him, "Why are you interfering with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before God's appointed time?"


—Matthew 8:28-29 NLT

Key Thought​

Jesus is in foreign territory. This is a region of the Gentiles — the other side of the lake...

 

Jesus responded, "Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!" Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.
The disciples were amazed. "Who is this man?" they asked. "Even the winds and waves obey him!"


—Matthew 8:26-27 NLT

Key Thought​

There is nothing that can stand in the way of Jesus. No enemy has the power — he simply casts out demons. No teacher or skeptic can stump him with a question. No disease can withstand his call for...

 

Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"

—Matthew 8:23-25 NLT

Key Thought​

The biggest issue in this story is not the storm. Just like the biggest issue in each of our crises is not the crisis. It's all about trust. Will we trust the one we follow to provide...

 

Then one of the teachers of religious law said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."
But Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head."

Another of his disciples said, "Lord, first let me return home and bury my father."

But Jesus told him, "Follow me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead."


—Matthew 8:19-22 NLT

Key Thought​

At first glance, Jesus is unusually harsh with...

 

That evening [after healing Peter's mother-in-law,] many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick. This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said,
"He took our sicknesses
and removed our diseases."


—Matthew 8:16-17 NLT

Key Thought​

Matthew continues to show us Jesus' power over what destroys our lives. Interestingly, it is Jesus' touch and word that are so powerful in...

 

When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he instructed his disciples to cross to the other side of the lake.

—Matthew 8:18 NLT

Key Thought​

As we will see a few verses later, Jesus went with his disciples across the lake. He had this intriguing habit of withdrawing from the crowds. At first glance, we want to correct him, and remind him, that he is trying to win the world for God. How is he going to do that by running away from folks who are seeking him? Then we realize how...

 

When Jesus arrived at Peter's house, Peter's mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. But when Jesus touched her hand, the fever left her. Then she got up and prepared a meal for him.

—Matthew 8:14-15 NLT

Key Thought​

This final episode in this series of miracle stories where we are told something about the individuals is told carefully and succinctly. Clearly Jesus has the power to heal, and Matthew shows us who he gladly heals in these stories. He heals an outcast and...

 

When Jesus heard [the Roman officer say that Jesus didn't need to go to the servant to heal him], he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, "I tell you the truth, I haven't seen faith like this in all Israel! And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world — from east and west — and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. But many Israelites — those for whom the Kingdom was prepared — will be thrown into...

 

When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, "Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain."
Jesus said, "I will come and heal him."

But the officer said, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, 'Go,' and they go, or 'Come,' and...