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The second important section to the book of Matthew
includes a number of miracles performed by the Lord. For instance, you have
the miracle of Christ healing the leper (vs. 1-4, which is also found in Mark
1:40 as well as Luke 5:12-14). Leprosy was the dreaded disease of Jesus' day.
The leper was considered unclean and an outcast. There is the miracle of
Jesus healing the centurion's servant (vs. 5-13) and the healing of Peter's
mother-in-law (vs. 14-16). When Jesus performs these miracles, which is the
first healing miracle Matthew records, he does two things. First, Jesus
proves himself to be God in the flesh, as he possessed the power of God to
perform such. The people knew that no one could heal a leper except God (2
Kings 5:7). Secondly, Jesus proves himself to be the Messiah, the long
awaited one. This divine power proves that he is who he claimed to be: the
only begotten Son of God. His work was, beyond doubt, as Matthew shows, in
fulfillment of the Scriptures that predicted the Messiah. As the passage says
he "Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses" (Matt. 8:17, see Isa.
53:4). Ultimately, of course, this was fulfilled in his death upon the cross
for the sins of the world.
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As one continues reading through this section,
one finds the miracle of Jesus stilling the storm at sea (Matt. 8:23-27), as well as the miracle of casting
the demons from the two who were possessed (vs. 28-34). Then Jesus heals the
palsied man (Matt. 9:1-8). This, too, gave Jesus yet another opportunity to
prove that he, indeed, was the Messiah. As you will recall, it was on this
occasion that Jesus made the statement, "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins
be forgiven thee" (vs. 2). Some of the Scribes who heard Jesus say this
were accusing him of blasphemy. However, Jesus understanding their thoughts
proved that he had the authority to forgive by miraculously healing the
paralyzed man (vs. 5-7). Other miracles are recorded in this section, such as
the women that were cured (vs. 20-22); Jairus'
daughter was raised from the dead (vs. 23-26). Two blind men received their
sight (vs. 27-34); and then Matthew records the casting out of a demon (vs.
32-34). Lastly, there is a summary statement regarding the work of Jesus in
teaching and healing the multitudes (vs. 35-38).
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The occasion for the sending out of the twelve
is given for us in the last portion of chapter nine. Jesus was filled with
compassion for the people (Matt. 9:36).
He instructs them to pray for laborers; Matthew gives the names of the
apostles and when he does, he tells of the Lord sending them out. He is truthful
and honest in telling them what they should do and what they may expect. The
apostles are to go to the "the lost sheep of the house of Israel"
(Matt. 10:6). Why just to the Jews? They were ready for the harvest. Jesus
had a very tender concern for the house of Israel.
He looked with compassion upon them as lost sheep. The apostles are,
therefore, sent out to preach "The kingdom of heaven is at hand."
In other words, let the people know that the kingdom of the Messiah will soon
be here. Men must repent of their sins and forsake them to have a part in the
kingdom. What we have is an early announcement that God's spiritual kingdom
will be established. When the events of Pentecost would transpire, then this
spiritual kingdom had indeed come.
 MATTHEW continued
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