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A Quick Summary of the Ministry of Jesus

Text: Matthew 9 : 32 - 38

As Matthew brought his writing of the public ministry of Jesus (in Capernaum) to a close (Cf. Matthew 9:32-38), he made some rather important observations.

1. With special reference to the battle against demonic powers

2. With special reference to the general impressions created

3. With reference to Jesus’ personal feelings about His public ministry

THE DEVASTATING POWER OF DEMONS

As Matthew wrote his Gospel, one of the things he was conscious of was the menacing power of Satan and his demonic hordes. He noted how the devil himself dared to put Jesus to the test (Matthew 4:1-10).

The disciples of Jesus saw many sick people coming to Jesus. Some were piteously disfigured, like the leper who prostrated himself before the Master. Others were pathetic, like the man who had to be lowered from the roof of a house to where Jesus sat and taught (Matthew 9:1-6). The hardest heart would have felt at least a twitch of sympathy for the many who dragged themselves to see if Jesus could help them. The line of people in need was long indeed!

However, the most pathetic of people must be those who were possessed by demons! The disciples recalled the frightening moment when two mentally-crazed Gergesenes rushed at them as they made their way to the cities in that region. Only the Presence and Power of Jesus kept them unharmed!

The devastating power of the demons was not restricted to Gentiles! Their power was felt right in Israel itself! Matthew noted this humbling reality in this text.

“And as they went out, behold, they brought
to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed.”
Matthew 9:32

How cruel and wicked these demons were! Whereas the sick may find relief from medical doctors, medical science had no answer to the problem of those possessed by demons. The only Person who could help them was Jesus!

POPULAR COMMENTS ABOUT JESUS WITH REFERENCE TO EXORCISM

Could Jesus help this man who had become mute? Imagine the power of the demon who could render a person mute!

“And when the demon was cast out, the
mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled,
saying, ‘It was never seen like this in Israel!'”
Matthew 9:33

To the multitudes, this miracle was breath-taking! Prior to Jesus appearing on the public scene, a person who was demon-possessed was doomed to a life of abject misery until his death! There were some who dabbled in mysticism, in their attempts to come up with a solution to combat the problem of demon-possession. But few, if any, had been successful!

The power of Jesus was truly impressive! No one in the recent or ancient history of Israel could be mentioned and compared with Jesus! Hence the popular opinion was that Jesus’ ministry was unique! What He did had “never been seen in Israel” before.

PHARISAICAL COMMENTS ABOUT JESUS

The Pharisees, who were fast becoming more and more antagonistic to Jesus, almost in direct proportion to His popularity, held a contrary view. Matthew observed,

“But the Pharisees said, ‘He casts out
demons by the ruler of the demons.'”
Matthew 9:34

On what basis did the Pharisees come to this conclusion? But then, the Pharisees never needed to explain themselves to anyone. No one had ever dared to challenge their opinion. In their public confrontations with Jesus, the Pharisees fared poorly. Public esteem fell drastically each time they lost out to Jesus in theological debates! The comments of the Pharisees were expectedly acrimonious!

THE BEST ANSWER TO ALL THE CRITICS

The opinion of the multitude was at best of general interest. There was little depth in what they said. The view of the Pharisees was unfounded, and may thus be dismissed without much discussion.

Matthew was astute when he paid careful attention to what Jesus said concerning His public ministry. We have a deeply moving observation in this text.

“Then Jesus went about all the cities and
villages, teaching in their synagogues,
preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and
healing every sickness and every disease
among the people.”
Matthew 9:35

Capernaum was but one of many cities that Jesus visited. There were other cities and villages that He took time to visit as well. The pattern Jesus chose was unmistakable. His first concern was to teach the Word of God. To those who were far from the kingdom of God, He preached the Gospel. When the multitude came with their sick, His love and compassion flowed from His bosom to the many who suffered terrible torments from their illnesses. He healed all who came to Him. This approach to ministry was the best answer to all His critics!