Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Speaker: Jerry Cisar
Matthew 8 – 9 are about Jesus’ authority; not merely an abstract idea of Jesus’ authority—“Wow, he has such great authority!” Jesus’ authority is exerted to bring life. His authority sets people back into right relationship with God and one another, enabling us to start living!
In Matthew 8, Jesus cleanses a leper with a word; heals a centurion’s servant with a word; drives out demons with a word; delivers two exceedingly violent men with a word, forgives sins and enables a paralytic to get up and walk with a word. As Martin Franzmann points out, these people are indeed living by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4).
The gospel is not just about “having” eternal life, as if it were a possession you might need one day. It is about living in the eternal age now and always! What’s the use of having eternal life if you are not living? Is not the purpose of having life to live? This authority with which Jesus is commanding people, storms, demons, and disciples, brings life!