NEW TESTAMENT CONTEXTUAL COMMENTARY

Dr. Robert R. Seyda

UPDATE!

We’ve just finished the very informative Chapter 8 in the Gospel of Matthew and will be starting on Chapter 9 on Monday, January 18th.

In Chapter 8 we saw how Jesus dealt with those who were dying of leprosy. People that society had abandoned and were declared untouchable.  But with the touch of the Master’s hand they were made whole.  And then our Lord encounters a non-Jewish Roman soldier who was part of the occupying force in Capernaum who needed healing for his dying servant.  Jesus offered to go to his house, but the man did not feel he deserved such an honor.  However, as a Roman officer in charge of his soldiers, He recognized Jesus as a man of authority in charge of healing powers, so he told Him, just say the word and it will happen.  Jesus was so impressed that the Centurion’s servant was healed immediately.

Then we saw where one Jewish Scribe who was so impressed with Jesus’ ministry that he wanted to become His disciple, but when Jesus told him that he would have to leave everything and follow Him wherever He went with no remuneration or special privileges, the man decided not to go.  And one man who was already a follower, wanted to put some personal business ahead of the ministry of evangelizing people so they could know that the Messiah had come, but Jesus told him to make up his mind whose interests came first, his or the Lord’s.

Then came the boat ride across the Sea of Galilee from Tiberius to the area of Gadara.  In the picture below you can see at the top of the lake the northern shore of the sea where Tiberius is located and the shoreline of Gadara at the bottom shoreline, just at the foot of the hills of Gadara.  And it was on this journey that they were engulfed by a terrible storm that threatened to capsize their boat, but to their amazement this special Man from God calmed the storm with one command.

After they landed, this is where Jesus encountered two demon possessed men who lived among the tombs dug into the sides of the hill.  But the demons asked that they not be left homeless, but enter a herd of swine nearby, Jesus consented.  But as soon as they entered the pigs, the herd ran down the hillside into the water and drowned.  The people’s response was unbelievable. Instead of asking Jesus to stay they told Him to go away.  They were more upset by what happened to their swine than what happened to these demon possessed men.

So we’ll see you on Monday with Chapter 9 where Jesus calls another disciple named Matthew, and those who follow Him get to see His miracle power as he raises a dead girl, heals an incurably ill woman, and brings sight to the blind.

There were so many people sick and without any spiritual guidance, that it broke our Lord’s heart.  So He told those following Him to pray that His heavenly Father would send more workers into the harvest fields.  And to all you who are studying the greatest story ever told, you are those workers that Jesus asked for.  But the question is, are you willing to go all the way?

See you Monday!  And may God bless you for your hunger of His word so that you can get to know and understand Him better.