Matthew 8: Faith versus Rejection of Jesus

Matthew 8: Faith versus Rejection of Jesus

Collin Leong. March 25, 2025

v1-4: Jesus healed Leprosy (Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16)

After Jesus thought the beatitudes, He came down the mountain and a large crowd followed Him. A man with leprosy knelt down before him and asked Jesus to heal him if He is willing. 

Jesus said "I am willing" and touched him and commanded him to "be clean!" Immediately he was healed. Jesus told him not to tell anyone, but to show the priests and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them. 

Jesus told him not to tell anyone; however, I imagine that the crowd who were following Him saw the healing. They were probably standing far away from Jesus and the man, afraid of getting infected. 

Jesus told him to tell the priest and offer the gift of Moses. Jesus' first instruction to for him to go to the temple and obey the sacrifice Moses wrote in the law in Lev 14:1-32. 

Lev 14:1 said that the diseased person should go to the priest to confirm that they have been healed. If the priest agreed that he was healed, he will given a bird to be sacrificed and it's blood will fall into the water in a clay pot. 

Then the priest give him a living bird to be dipped into the blood of the sacrificed bird, together with cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop. The blood and water will be sprinkled on the bird seven time, then the bird will be released in the open field. The rest of the chapter detailed other sacrifices the healed person has to made. 

Isn't the above matches the redemption story? The sacrified bird represent Jesus, who died on the cross with a lot of blood spilling out from his hands, his feet, his brow and his body. His blood is considered pure, represented by the water. Water is also used to represent the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39).  The uncleaned man, due to sin, are to bring himself and "dip" in the blood of Christ.  

He is to be covered by Jesus blood together with Cedar wood, scarlet yarn, hyssop. In Jewish tradition, Cedar wood represents human pride, which must be humbled before he goes for the cleansing. The scarlet yarn It represents the stain of sin but also the cleansing power of sacrificial blood, pointing to the transition from impurity to purity. Finally, the hyssop symbolizes cleansing and purification. It was also used during the first Passover to apply the lamb's blood to doorposts (Exodus 12:22). 

The living bird was set free, as we are spiritually "set free" by Jesus, as he said in John 8:36: "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."  Moses' law symbolizes the atonement and the deliverance of man from their sin, and we were set free from the curse of death. Hallelujah!

In Matt 8:4. Jesus told him to see the priest, as a testimony to them. I believe He meant that the priest, after knowing who healed him, and comparing it with Moses' law, will understand that He is the Messiah and will be sacrificed for the redemption of sinners, as symbolized by the first bird!

Unfortunately, the priests were blind and could not accept Jesus as the messiah, and ended up killing him, in order to fulfilled what Jesus was here in the first place!!

v5-13: The Centurion's Faith (Luke 7:1-10; John 4:43-54)

A roman centurion came to Jesus in Capernaum. He told the Lord that his servant is paralyzed and suffering terribly. Jesus offered to go to the servant to heal him. 

However, the centurion said he is not deserved to Jesus to come under his roof, and he just asked Jesus to say the word, and his servant will be healed. Afterall, he has authority of his soldiers, and they will do whatever he tells them. (v5-9)

Jesus was amazed at this man, and he told his followers that he had never seen someone in Israel (i.e. a Jew) with such great faith. He said that many will come from all places to have a feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But he warned them that the subjects of the kingdom (that is, the Israelites will be thrown into the darkness and they will weep and gnash their teeth. (v10-12)

Jesus then told the centurion: "Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that moment. (v13)

A roman centurion are often hated by the Jews. Yet he came to Jesus to ask for his help for his servant. Roman centurions often had servants (or slaves) in their households, some of whom played important roles in their master's daily lives. However, we were not told who or what were the role of the servant. 

Jesus, with his divine nature, already knew the answer that the centurion will say, when he offered to go to his servant. He wants to create an opportunity to express his extraordinary faith. He was a humble man as said that he is not worthy of Christ coming to his house. As a commander, what he told his soldiers to do, they will do it, even if they have to go on a long journey to accomplished his purpose. He himself need to not take the burden himself. 

This is why Jesus need not go to his place, as he has the faith that Jesus can command the healing from a distance. This is an incredible faith that no Jews have displayed before. Jesus use this opportunity to tell his Jewish followers that many Gentiles will go into the kingdom of heaven with a faith in Christ. 

The "sons of the kingdom" (v12) likely referred to Jewish people who assumed their heritage alone guaranteed their place in God's kingdom. This idea challenged the prevailing belief that the Jewish people held exclusive access to God's promises. For others, especially those who opposed Jesus, it could have been seen as offensive or even heretical, as it implied that Gentiles—outsiders—could share in the blessings of God's kingdom.

v14-22: The Cost of Following Jesus (Luke 9:57-62; Luke 14:25-33; John 6:60-65)

On the same day, Peter's mother-in-law was ill with fever. Jesus touched her hand, and the fever left her. She got up and began to wait on him. (v14-15)  (Mark 1:29-34; Luke 4:38-41)

In the evening, many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus,  He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. These fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.” (NIV) (v16-17)

That verse is taken from  Isaiah 53:4, which said "Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering," (NIV)

Matthew isn't directly quoting Isaiah word-for-word; instead, the verse is interpreted in light of Jesus’ healing ministry. In Isaiah 53:4, the Hebrew text speaks of the suffering servant bearing our pains and infirmities as part of a larger prophecy about the servant's role in bearing the sins and burdens of others. The focus in Isaiah is more on spiritual redemption and atonement, though it can also encompass physical suffering.

Also, the difference in translation also contribute. The Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) rendered Isaiah 53:4 with a more explicit emphasis on bearing sins, which may differ from how the Hebrew text is translated into English. The NIV translators chose wording that fits the broader contexts of Isaiah and Matthew.

When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he asked his disciples to bring him to the other side of the lake. (v18). As a fully human being, Jesus also needed moments of rest and solitude. Moving across the lake could provide an opportunity for a break or to spend focused time with His disciples.

A teacher of the law came to Him and said he will follow Him wherever He goes. Jesus replied: “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” (v18-29). 

It is surprising that a "teacher of the law", also known as scribes or lawyers (see appendix), has interest in following Jesus. Generally, the gospels portrays them as being in conflict with Jesus. But why did Jesus answered him this way? Perhaps, it was a reminder that following Him isn’t just about enthusiasm or good intentions—it demands a willingness to let go of material security and embrace the challenges of a life devoted to God. Jesus wanted the teacher of the law to deeply consider what such a commitment truly entails. 

Another disciples then said to Him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead." (v21-22)

In ancient Jewish culture, “burying one’s father” could also mean fulfilling familial obligations until the father passed away, which might have been years later. It’s possible the disciple was asking for a delay in following Jesus to focus on these obligations.

When Jesus said, “Let the dead bury their own dead,” He likely meant that those who are spiritually “dead” can attend to worldly matters like burying the dead. His statement underscores that following Him requires wholehearted commitment, even above cultural expectations or family duties.

Jesus wasn’t dismissing the value of familial duties but highlighting that following Him demands prioritization of the Kingdom of God above all else.

v23-27: Jesus Stills the Storm. (Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25)

To cross the lake, Jesus and his disciples went into a boat. Suddenly a furious storm came up and the waves swept over the boat. The disciples panic and woke up Jesus, and asked him to save them from drowning. Jesus said: "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?". He then got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it became calm. 

The disciples were amazed and asked: “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (v24-27)

From a spiritual perspective, the storm's unexpected arrival could symbolize life's trials and challenges that come without warning. It tests our faith and our trust in Jesus amidst chaos. When they turned to Jesus for help, it revealed their reliance on Him, even though He rebuked their fear as "little faith."

When we are in the same boat as Jesus, we have nothing to be afraid of!

v28-34:  Demons Cast into Pigs (Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39)

Two demon-possessed men coming from the tomb to meet Jesus as he arrived at the region of Gadarenes, on the other side of the lake. They were so violent no one can go near them. They shouted "What do you want with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?" (v28-29)

They realized that Jesus will definitely cast them out of the men. They told Jesus to send them into the herd of pigs. Jesus said to them, "Go!" and they came out and went into the pigs. The whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned. (v30-32)

We learn some important things with this encounter. Firstly, the demons know who Jesus was. They refer to him as the Son of God. They knew of His authority to cast them out and to torture them. 

Secondly, they already knew God has set a future date for them to be judged and tortured. That's why they asked if Jesus will torture them before the "appointed time."  In other words, Satan is fighting a losing war, and he knows it. But he goes on fighting to bring as many people into hell together with him and his demons. (Read Revelation 20 for John's vision of the Satan and unbelievers being thrown into the lake of fire.)

Lastly, we know there are many demons inside the two men. Luke 8:26-29 told us that the demons' name was "Legion", which refers to a group of over 5000 soldiers in the Roman army. This implies there are hundreds or thousands of them in the two men. They pleaded Him not to throw them into the Abyss and asked to be cast out into the herd of hundreds of pigs. However, they couldn't control the pigs and they ran off the steep bank and drown. 

We do not know what happened to the demons after the pigs died. Some say they left the pigs and wander around or to find other hosts until the appointed time. 

Those who were tending the pigs ran to the town told them about this event. They all came to meet Jesus, and ask Him to leave their region.  (v33-34)

The town should have thanked Jesus to exorcism, but instead they ask Him to leave their town! Why? I think it's because all their pigs have committed suicide when Jesus cast the demons into them. This is a huge financial loss for the town people.  

This tells us that the town people has the wrong perspective and doesn't really know who Jesus was. They put financial goals in first priority, and the spiritual condition of the men in last priority. In Luke 8, it says they were overcome by fear - they don't know who Jesus was and fear that more lossess will happened to them if He continued to stay in their region. 

This reminds us that we have our priority wrong as well. Instead of loving others and telling them the gospel, we rather spend our effort in hoarding money for ourselves. May these events help us to have the right mind set that Jesus has.