Matthew 8:5-20
many food sources. Jesus chose Capernaum as His adult Hometown.
When He had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to Him, appealing to Him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.”
7 And He said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
10 When Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who followed Him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.
10 When Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who followed Him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.
11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
13 And to the centurion Jesus said,
“Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.”
And the servant was healed at that very moment.
14 And when Jesus entered Peter's house, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve Him.
14 And when Jesus entered Peter's house, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve Him.
16 That evening they brought to Him many who were oppressed by demons, and He cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.
17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:
18 Now when Jesus saw a crowd around Him, He gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 And a scribe came up and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
You have to love Matthew 8. Jesus speaks to the realization for others, He has no adult home and chooses His dwelling. Jesus is saying He dwells where He has found faith.
Signs and Miracles. Matthew 8 is filled with signs and miracles. Many of the Christmas decorations we have, have a deeper and more profound meaning. Like a wreath. Eternal and steadfast Love. Forever Love. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Star that leads us to the Lord. Wise men still seek Him.
17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:
“He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”
18 Now when Jesus saw a crowd around Him, He gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 And a scribe came up and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
You have to love Matthew 8. Jesus speaks to the realization for others, He has no adult home and chooses His dwelling. Jesus is saying He dwells where He has found faith.
Our hearts find joy, when we see Jesus making decisions we all make. When we see Jesus making choices we make today.
Jesus could focus on His Homelessness, being in a beautiful town and unable to have a home. Or Jesus could put His Focus on the immediacy of the travel, the fatigue from doing God's Will for our lives. Jesus didn't say come back tomorrow. I'm so, so busy. Everyone is always talking to me. They all have things they need. In all of Israel, I don't see a lot of faith. I'm always trying to please everyone. Jesus could say, all I see are ill people and diseased, demon filled people. And I know for a fact, they won't end up well. I've seen the Kingdom of Heaven dinner table, and they aren't there!
Why would we take a look at a comical side of the Lord?
Well, it's Biblical. John 21 says, the men gathered with the Risen and Victorious Son of God and were having breakfast. Jesus had cooked and provided. Jesus Alive with them! And ... Asked Him about the hierarchy within the Jesus discipleship and their local governing and Empire. What they thought was due to them.
So many paintings, of centuries, depict Jesus as serious, contemplative and unhappy. Jesus probably did not run around grinning like a people pleaser. But John 14, 15, 16, 17 assure us Jesus felt Joy. As He spent time in Prayer. Walking to the next town and the people He came to meet. Jesus is and was authentic. And when He sailed, this was faster, but you know, and I know, Jesus had many joyous days on the water. Jesus is God.
If we are so close to the tradition of the Word, let's not forget what Jesus could have said. It is the ability of Jesus to wake up in a foreign, yet adopted place and find this IS Where He wants to dwell. The deliberate time to be alone and quiet to dwell with His Father. Not allowing the Disciples to decide His day.
As we see ourselves daily. Daily, we know we will and want to put our focus on what God wants us to see. And in looking in the direction God wants for us, we have Fellowship with the Lord and we are invited.
Invited like Aaron to the Holy of Holies. Messy, is what we are. Not always deliberate. And the same could be said of the Disciples. Mary explains the vagueness of the wealthy, they are so busy looking down the road - scattered in the pride in the thoughts of their heart. Fading in the midst of their pursuits. The Disciples see Jesus and miss the FOREST for the Trees.
The Christmas Story is a Dwelling Story.
And Matthew 8 has many levels of dwelling. In the home, the heart, the good hope for those around us. The time to truly listen when so many situations and people press in. Preconceived notions, like smoke from a fire not seen. How will we perfectly address so many notions, words, innuendo, work, and be at peace. Only in Jesus Christ.
Jesus chooses where He dwells. Another reason He calls Himself Living Water. What He focuses on. Jesus deliberately chose His pace. Jesus yesterday, today and tomorrow. The Word of God assures us millions of years is a day to God.
Abba, Father,
Psalms 46:4-5
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within us, we will not fall;
God will help us at the break of day.
Jordan River photos
Psalms 68:19-21
Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits,
The God of our salvation!
Selah
Our God is the God of salvation
Lamentations 3:22-23
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
His mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness
Abba, each of the Psalms would continue, either before
or after, to complain or extol the virtues of praying
in a difficult situation. Exactly like every day
in the Gospels, Jesus walked as Grace upon Grace.
Help us to daily choose Your Joy.
God of Love
God of Encouragement.
You are our focus, Lord Jesus.
Please pray for my family.
we are apart.
And for Edward,
who won his tournament
and put himself in rest for the last 2 days,
he doesn't feel well at all.
Dwell in us
Dwell in those we Love.
Help us to Seek You First
and in Jesus, we will finish well.
Jesus Bless us, we ask:
Jesus Bless us and Keep us
Jesus make His Face Shine upon us
Jesus be gracious to us as always.
Jesus lift His Face and smile upon us,
Jesus give us Peace.
His Peace.
Jesus cover us in His Highest Name.
Increasing the Peace of the Believing world
- Light of Christ for All.
Joy in our daily Life believing the Word and Promises of You.
We Thank You for the
Willingness of Jesus,
Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
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