Matthew 8

Jesus performs many miracles. Heals a man with leprosy. Heals a centurions servant. Heals Peters mother in law. Calms the storm. Sends the emphasis into a herd of pigs. 

Matthew 8:2-3 NIV

[2] A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” [3] Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.

Are we willing to trust Jesus that he will heal us as he healed the leper?  Is there anything afflicting is that Jesus cannot heal?

Matthew 8:10-12 NIV

[10] When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. [11] I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. [12] But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Believers come from around the world but many who say they are Christians wi be left out of the kingdom. 

Matthew 8:21-22 NIV

[21] Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” [22] But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

This man was asking for time, possibly until his father actually died before he would follow Jesus. Jesus’ response indicates that the time is now. What is holding us back from following Jesus right now?

Matthew 8:25-26 NIV

[25] The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” [26] He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

The disciples had been with him yet they were still afraid.   The gospel clearly states who Jesus is yet I still find myself afraid of completely following him. Jesus is asking us to calculate the cost of complete submission and balance that with the promise of eternity spent with god.