Matthew 8.23-9.8
For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”
There is fierce hostility to the reign of the king in both the natural and spiritual world. We see in these verses that this hostility can make lives dangerous as storms rage, difficult and destructive as demon possessed men block passage and terrorize a region, and debilitating as broken body and sin leaves a man physically paralyzed and spiritually empty. These forces appear overwhelmingly strong and insurmountable. Jesus shows that his power over these things is exceedingly greater than their ability to harm people or even pigs. Jesus rebukes the storm into calm, cast the demons into swine, and both forgives and heals the paralytic. All those who witness Jesus’ divine power in these incidents respond with great fear and awe. For some the fear meant reverent worship and for others it meant rejection and terror. We are hopeless to stand against the storms, spirits, sin, and situation that seek to overcome us but none of these can resist the saving words of Jesus.
What part of the text or sermon had the greatest impact on you?
Where were you most encouraged, intrigued, challenged?The demons cry out to Jesus in verse 29, what does this tell us about the scope of power and authority the devil and demons have when compared to Jesus?
Jesus forgives the paralytic of his sin, then he heals his body. What does this teach us about Jesus concern for both our spiritual and physical health?
How is the reaction of the slave girls’ owners similar to the herdsmen overseeing the pigs?
What are the primary motivations of each?What are the storms or situations in your life that have seemed insurmountable or overwhelming?
If you have cried out to Jesus in those times how have you seen him respond?