Study in the Gospel of Mathew,8

Today we study the eighth chapter of the Gospel according to Mathew. There are many biblical principles and lessons in this chapter but I choose two biblical principles and their lessons which, I believe, are useful in biblical counselling.

Before Jesus healed a leper, the only record of an Israelite being healed of the leprosy was the case of Miriam in Num.12:10-15. Normally touching a leper would result in ceremonial defilement. However, in this case Jesus touched the leper and the leper became clean. The purpose of Jesus’ command to the man who been healed “show yourself to the priest” is to ask him to obey the Law of Moses to offer scarifies, also to give testimony to the religious authorities in Jerusalem that the Messiah had arrived.

In the Mericle of the healing a centurion’s servant: the centurion’s response to Jesus indicated his clear understanding of Jesus’s authority. Jesus’ marvelled by   the centurion’s faith even he was a Gentile.

The Jews had the covenants and the promises and should have been heirs of the kingdom. However, because their unbelief in the Lord Jesus, they defected from the privilege of the sons of the kingdom and they will be cast down in the darkness outside the kingdom.

Jesus healed the sick people because He had compassion on them. Our physical infirmities are ultimately the result of the Fall with its impact on our lives under the Curse. Jesus took our infirmities and bore our sickness by suffering and dying for our sins on the Cross.

We learn several things about the healing of the two men who were possessed by demons:

1. The demons recognize the deity of Christ.
2. They are limited in their knowledge.
3. They know they will ultimately be judged by Christ.
4. Cannot act without the permission of the higher authority- Christ.

Structure:

Verses 1-4: Jesus cleanses a leper.

Verses 5-13: Jesus heals a centurion’s servant.

Verses 14-15: Peter’s mother-in-law healed.

Verses 16-17: many healed after Sabbath-sunset,

Verses 18-22: the cost of discipleship.

Verses 23-27: wind and wave obey Jesus

Verses 28-34: two demon-possessed men healed.

Principle 15, verse 8-26: ----"But He said to them, ‘why are you fearful O you of little faith? Then He rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”

Lesson 15:  The storm terrified the disciples, but it did not so much as raise an eyebrow on the Lord. Why the difference? Because Jesus trusted that God would get them to the other side,

Principle 16: verse 8:34: === “And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from the region.”

Lesson 16: Not every one is happy to see the wonder-working arm of God. Some would rather stick with their comfortable familiar routines. A life of faith is not necessarily comfortable, but it is exciting and rewarding. 9/11/2026.