What Kind if Man Is This?

What Kind if Man Is This?

Matthew 8:1-9:34

He took up our infirmities (8:1-17)

In a succession of healing miracles, Matthew shows us the disregard of Jesus for social convention. Lepers were ostracized by Mosaic law (Leviticus 13:45-46). The Romans were not only Gentile, but the occupying force who enslaved the Jews. And women were considered less than property – a Jewish male would not ordinarily be seen associating with women. In a succession of vignettes, this extended passage emphasizes the nature of Jesus’ ministry as a Messiah who will take on our infirmities, a savior who brings relief to the poor and oppressed (11:2-6).

What kind of man is this? (8:18-27)

“Let the dead bury their own dead.” Can this have come from the mouth of the same man who healed the sick and blessed the children? There is only one God, and no God but God, and while we can always expect the love of God to work for our benefit, it is no simple thing (Isaiah 46:8-10; Job 2:9-10). Is it any wonder that even those who lived along side of him had to ask “what kind of man is this?

Which is easier? (9:1-34)

Which is easier? A rhetorical question, certainly – a question that is intended to teach, not test. This question makes us consider the unity of the physical world with the spiritual. The is one God, Lord of all creation (Genesis 1:25-2:3; Colossians 1:13-15; John 1:1-5) and the brokenness of our relationship with God has imperiled the cohesion of the universe (Genesis 3:16-19; Genesis 4:9-11; Romans 1:18-20; Romans 8:22-23). The union of of earth and heaven is through the one God who is in all, and through whom all things exist (Isaiah 46:9-10; Ephesians 4:5-6) and we look forward to a day when, along with ourselves, all creation will be redeemed (Colossians 1:16-20; 2 Peter 3:11-13; Revelation 21:1-7).