It has been awhile since I have written. It seems that in anyone’s life there are interruptions that affect ones desires. I have had a number of other commitments that came up and by the time I got home I was so tired that I did not follow through with my blog and insights regarding Matthew. Many may have continued to read and I would encourage you to complete your readings. I will start taking chapter by chapter and not try to rush through the gospel.
Matthew 8 starts with a series of healing stories. Warren Carter talks about that back in Chapter 4 Jesus proclaims that the kingdom of God is at hand. What that would look like for us are these stories in chapter 8. The kingdom of God would be a place where people would no longer be ill and ostracized from their family and community of faith. For those who suffered from leprosy could not continue to be with their family as they were unclean, they could not live in the villages, and they could not worship in the synagogues or temple. They could only stay alive by the grace of those around them. It was also believed that if one would touch them they too would be unclean. When Jesus reaches out and touches the leper, he breaks many of the laws about what is clean and unclean. His willingness to heal the Roman officer’s servant also extends the kingdom of God to the gentiles. Rome was the occupying country of Judea and were seen as the enemy. Again note the fulfillment of the prophets in verse 17.
Another word about healing that is important to note in reading the stories of healing in the New Testament. Healing was more than just curing someone of their illness. It was more about restoration to the community. Those who were healed could return to their families, to their homes, and could worship once again in the synagogues and the temple. Think about what might be the leprosy of today? For instance the concern of HIV infection and how many stated that they should be isolated from everyone out of the fear of contagion. How many times our fears have led to the desire to ostracize someone.
The chapter also includes two other stories one of calming the sea and the exorcism of the demons. The sea and the storms of the sea often were used to talk about chaos. When Jesus rebukes the wind and waves, he is able to control the chaotic world. This is similar to God’s spirit hovering over the deep in Genesis in the creation.
Warren Carter in talking about the pigs and the demons stated that this was an example of the counter-revolutionary aspect of the gospel Pigs were unclean animals. The demons knew who Jesus was and actually beyond the baptism affirmation of God is the first to state that Jesus is the Son of God. In the other gospels, Jesus asked the name of the demon which was Legion. The Roman legion that occupied Jerusalem had as their token animal a pig. So here Jesus overcomes the power of Rome and their armies and utterly defeats them.
The people of the village are not thankful at all about what Jesus did in healing the men of their possession. A good question would be why were they raising pigs which were unclean? I believe that Jesus’ action is so powerful that witnessing to that power is frightening. That is why the villagers wanted him to leave.
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