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Daily Devotions

Matthew

Matthew 
Day 
Day 112

Decision to Leave for Another Place of Ministry

Text: Matthew 8 : 18 - 22

We are deeply challenged by the decision that Jesus made as He viewed the multitudes that thronged Him.

“And when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him,
He gave a command to depart to the other side.”
Matthew 8:18

How do we understand the decision that Jesus made? Would you have made a different decision?

1. How we could end up reasoning for the promotion of the ministry of healing

a) A valid ministry

We could argue that it is a valid ministry. There were many who needed to be healed. We could even add that there was Biblical support for this ministry.

b) The sheer number

We could argue that the number of people coming for healing would justify the healing ministry. People were coming by the droves.

c) Means to an end

We could argue that healing would be a good means to an end. Why not use healing to jump-start reaching to the soul?

d) A mighty witness of the power of God

The casting out of demons would be a great testimony. Then there is the healing of the sick.

All these reasons sound “reasonable”. Many promote healing on these premises. Yet Matthew wrote about an important decision Jesus made. He decided that He would move away from the multitudes!

2. How Jesus understood His ministry

a) Preaching of the Kingdom of God

Right from the start, Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God. He sought to usher people into God’s kingdom. The way into that kingdom was not an experience of healing but repentance from sin!

b) The soul of the sick

He knew the hearts of the people who came! They may come with great sincerity, believing that Jesus could heal them. They had nothing to lose, as they were already so ill. Many came only to seek healing, nothing more. There may be a few who also sought spiritual truth, but these could be reached in other ways! Jesus knew that by and large, those who seek healing, are pre-occupied with their desire to be made well.

c) Eternal matters

What mattered most of all? To Jesus, what mattered most of all, was eternity! Eternity mattered so much that He was willing to come to earth, to die for the sins of mankind, so that they may enter into the Kingdom of God!

d) Possible loss of focus

It is so easy to lose focus of the main task entrusted! Jesus had come to call people to repentance. He had been sent to teach people about God. He had come as the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world.

How easy it is to lose focus! But not Jesus! He would literally walk away from a situation, even a potentially “great ministry” if there is the danger of a loss of focus. This was exactly what He did, when He gave orders to move away from the city of Capernaum.

e) Perfect understanding and obedience to the Father’s Will

Jesus understood His Father’s Will. He knew exactly what His life’s work was. Healing was NOT His life’s calling. Having understood that, He sought to obey His Father in perfect obedience.

f) The problem of sickness will never be fully answered this side of heaven

Jesus felt for the people who came to Him. The sick sought His healing grace! They cried out piteously for healing. Jesus graciously healed them all.

However, it does not follow that once they have been healed of their illness, they now possessed super-healthy bodies. Illness could hit again. The person restored to full health can become ill again!

g) The Healing ministry was not designed to last forever

Jesus knew His Father’s will perfectly. He knew why He had been given special powers. His miracles were meant to show that He stood in a special relationship with His Father. He understood that His healing ministry was not a permanent ministry! Understanding this great truth, Jesus obviously did not focus on developing the ministry of healing.

h) The Training of Disciples

Jesus had another urgent task at hand. He had to do all He could to train and equip disciples to take over the ministry that He would have to leave behind for them. They must have the same heart, mind and spirit.

If Jesus were to devote all His time to healing people, He would not have the time to train His disciples. Besides, His followers would also be drained physically, if they were to devote their energy doing crowd-control etc. Jesus was absolutely right in planning to move away from Capernaum and the healing ministry there.