Matthew 8. After Jesus finished delivering his Sermon on the Mount discourse, many people decided to follow him. Everyone was curious about this new teacher with authority, some believed he could be the Messiah, others were simply curious to see what dramatic event would happen next. In Matthew 8 the identity of Jesus as the Messiah-King is revealed in three ways: His power over illnesses, his power over nature, and his power over the demonic.

The identity of Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah-King is seen in His ability to heal illnesses (8:1-17). First Jesus encounters a leper, who kneels before Jesus in humility because he is desperate for a cure. The leper has confidence that Jesus can heal him, and he asks politely for exactly that. What do you notice about Jesus’ response to the leper? He has compassion on him, he reaches out and offers connection by touching him (which was forbidden), and he offers comfort to one who is suffering. Jesus heals him – which was a big deal since only two people in the whole Old Testament were cured of leprosy (Miriam and Namaan).

Next, we read of Jesus healing a Roman centurion’s servant (8:5-13). The Roman centurion has great faith, and an understanding of how power is delegated. Jesus is amazed at this gentile’s faith and heals the servant – his first long-distance healing miracle! It is fascinating the realize that the world of prayer and Holy Spirit power is not confined to a physical location but transcends it. Jesus proceeds to heal Peter’s mother-in-law (8:14-15) and to cast of demons and heal all who were sick (8:16). Matthew is careful to note that Jesus’ healing of diseases was to fulfill what was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, ‘He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.’ (8:17).

A second piece of Jesus’ Messiah-King identity is revealed in His power over nature (8:23-27). The disciples make a boat trip across the Sea of Galilee and a dangerous storm pops up. Jesus speaks to the wind and waves – rebuking them and restoring calm. It’s interesting that Jesus rebukes the weather elements that were generating fear, and He comforts and encourages the disciples. He does not rebuke us in our anxiety, he calms the source of our fears and comforts us.

A third piece of Jesus’ Messiah-King identity is revealed in His power over demonic spirits (8:28-34). Matthew has already noted that Jesus healed many who were oppressed by demons and cast out the spirits with a word (8:16). The stakes are higher, and the scene is more dramatic, when Jesus encounters two men oppressed by demonic spirits in the area. The evil spirits recognize Jesus immediately, lending credence to who He claimed to be, and they beg Him not to torment them before the time (meaning the end of time and the final judgment).

Matthew 8 is remarkable in the revelation of Jesus’ authority as the Messiah-King!