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Matthew 8-10. A question often asked is: “ If miracles are part of the Gospel program, why do we not have such today ?”
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Matthew 8-10 A question often asked is: “If miracles are part of the Gospel program, why do we not have such today?” The answer is a simple one: We do have miracles today- beyond imagination! If all the miracles of our lifetime were recorded, it would take many library shelves to hold the books which would contain them. “What kinds - revelations, visions, tongues, healings, special guidance and direction, evil spirits cast out. Where are they recorded? In the records of the Church journals, in news and magazine articles and in the minds and memories of many people” (-Spencer W. Kimball, “The Significance of Miracles in the Church Today”, Instructor, Dec. 1959, 396).
The greatest miracles I see today are not necessarily the healing of sick bodies, but the greatest miracles I see are the healing of sick souls, those who are sick in soul and spirit and are downhearted and distraught” (Harold B. Lee, CR, April 1973, 178).
Mark 5:23 These are not only the words of faith of a father torn with grief but are also a reminder to us that whatever Jesus lays his hands upon lives. If Jesus lays his hands upon a marriage, it lives. If he is allowed to lay his hands on a family, it lives (Howard W. Hunter, C.R., Oct. 1979, 93).
Matt. 8:1-11 Second Narrative Matthew vividly demonstrated the Savior’s authority and power through a series of miracles. These miracle stories were designed to instill a higher quality of faith in the reader. In the Lectures on Faith the prophet Joseph Smith taught that faith is more than belief followed by action. Faith is power. He taught that God’s faith or power was independent of any other being and that man’s faith was imperfect and was dependent upon the power of God or God’s faith.
The Lectures were built around three things: 1. First, “the idea that (God) actually exists.” 2. Second, “a correct idea of (God’s) character, perfections and attributes.” 3. Third, “an actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing is according to God’s will.”
Three levels of Faith: • Faith unto action • Faith unto power • Faith unto salvation These three things necessary to have faith are vividly portrayed in the miracle stories found in Matthew 8-9. The people already had an idea that God existed. However, the people needed to have a correct understanding of the nature of God.
Consistent with Matthew’s pattern of placing things in three, the miracle stories are divided into three groups with each group separated by an interlude consisting of non-miracle material. The miracle stories show forth the nature of God while the interlude discusses the cost of discipleship. By placing the miracle stories into three groups, Matthew was showing his reader the fundamental characteristic of God: He has complete power over all things. The Savior demonstrates his power over the natural man, the elements, devil, death, and sin. The fact that the Savior has complete power is one of the essential attributes of God man must understand in order to have faith.
4 types of Miracles performed: 1. Over sickness 2. Over Elements 3. Over devils 4. Over Life and Death
Matthew 8:1-17The first group of miracle stories Mercy was shown by the Savior who healed three unlikely candidates: 1. A leper (ritually unclean). 2. A Roman centurion (unclean by religious Jewry). Gentiles can be more faithful than blood Israel. 3. Peter’s mother in-law (women were considered lower class in Jewish society). These stories demonstrate that God is no respecter of persons, but a God of all humankind. His mercy is extended to all who come unto him in faith.
Matthew 8:18-22First interlude The Savior taught that their discipleship may cost them the comfort of earthly ties (Matthew 8:20). Was the scribe willing to face the same rejection if he was following the Savior?
Matthew 8:21-22 Sounds harsh! Had the man’s father really been dead he would have not been with the Savior for the dead were buried on the same day that they died. What the man was saying was let me first take care of my family responsibilities. Point: The Savior comes first!
Matthew 8:23-9:8The second group of miracle stories Natural elements (calming the sea). Satan’s realm (casting out the two demons). The last of these three stories is pivotal. It demonstrated both the mercy and power of God to free men from the ultimate plague --- sin! His sins may have been a contributing factor to his paralysis. But more likely his sins were of a greater concern to him (or the Savior) than his physical condition. The Savior has power to forgive and heal men from their spiritual maladies. Compassion upon the sinner who comes unto him, is clearly taught in this story!
Joseph Smith taught that if men do not understand that God is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, longsuffering and full of goodness, such is the weakness of human nature, and so great the frailties and imperfections of men, that unless they believed that these excellencies existed in the divine character, the faith necessary to salvation could not exist; for doubt would take the place of faith, and those who know their weakness and liability to sin would be in constant doubt of salvation if it were not for the idea which they have of the Excellency of the character of God, that He is slow to anger and longsuffering, and of a forgiving disposition, and does forgive iniquity, transgression, and sin. An idea of these facts does away doubt, and makes faith exceedingly strong (Lectures on Faith, 3:35-36).
Matthew 9:9-17The Second Interlude The chapter heading includes Matthew’s conversion as being a great miracle in his eyes. Matthew was willing to give up all that he had to follow the Savior.
Matthew 9:10-13 To heal the sick and the sinner the Savior needed to be with them. The cost of discipleship requires us to look at others with compassion and to spend time with them.
Matthew 9:14-15 Fast when I’m gone, feast on the words while I’m here! In those days, associated with a wedding was a seven day feast in which there was as much food and drink as one could eat. To have fasted during the wedding feast would have been an insult to the host.
Matthew 9:16-17 The Savior did not come to patch up Judaism by putting “a piece of new cloth under an old garment” or “new wine into old bottles.” No, the cost of discipleship required that the people leave their old religion and traditions behind and follow the higher gospel of Christ.
Matthew 9:18-35The Third Group of Miracle Stories Matthew testified of the Savior’s power and authority over death, blindness and the devil. These stories demonstrate the necessity of faith on the recipients part to obtain that power.
Matthew 9:18-26 A woman who had a menstrual period that had not ceased in twelve years secretly approached the Savior to touch the “hem of his garment” in order to be healed from her illness. The desperate nature of this woman’s plight is realized only when the following is understood. She was considered ritually impure according to the Law of Moses. She could not have participated in synagogue or temple service. Anything she touched while in this condition would have become ritually impure. Anything touching her or the things she had touched would also become impure as well. This would have had a devastating effect on her social life.
Physically ill and socially ostracized, the woman approached the only one whom she felt could relieve her of her sufferings, Jesus Christ. She touched the Savior knowing that it would make him ritually unclean. Death and blood are the prominent features in this first story. Both “the dead, and blood” (blood --- a symbol of death) were leading causes of ritual impurity. These two stories demonstrate the Savior’s power over death, both spiritually and physically.
Matthew 9:27-35 Christ has power over all things! Spiritual death and Satan’s realm.
Matthew 9:36-10:4 Third interlude Leads into the second discourse
Matthew 9:36 Fainted in Greek = exhausted by troubles The suggestion was that those who followed the Savior were exhausted by the troubles of the world because they had no leaders. Discipleship includes serving others who are in need.
Matthew 10:5-11:1 Second discourse Aimed at the newly called Twelve Apostles
Matthew 10:14 The Jews held that even the earth in Gentile land was unclean, and it was their custom when they returned from abroad to shake from their feet the dust they had acquired when abroad.
