He Got the Power

I don't know that I have a lot of profound things to say about today's reading. In many ways, the point that Matthew is making is obvious. Again and again, he demonstrates to us the power of Jesus. Miracle after miracle demonstrates to us that the Spirit of God was with Jesus in a mighty way. Indeed, Jesus' miracle on the lake shows that Jesus Himself is God. The disciples understand full well that only God could have power over wind and wave.

So, Matthew 8 serves to remind us that we serve a mighty Savior in Jesus. What interests me, though, are not just the demonstrations of power. I am also interested by the responses given to Jesus' power. In verse 19, a teacher of the law is duly impressed by all that Jesus has done. Seeing lepers cleansed, healings done from a distance, and fevers dismissed, the teacher of the law wants to sign on. And who wouldn't want to be a part of all that Jesus is doing? But in verse 20 Jesus reminds the teacher of the law that all that comes with the power is not glory. For the very one who is God and who wields the power of God does not even have a roof to put over his head. We are not told how the teacher of the law responded to that declaration. But I can put myself in his shoes (or sandals). I am like the teacher of the law in that I want the power. I want to be part of a mighty ministry with people being saved in droves and scores being liberated from the physical and spiritual problems that beset them. But Jesus reminds me that all is not glory. The call to follow Jesus entails not just the power but sometimes the pain. If Jesus was not exempt from this how could I expect to be?

The teacher of the law is not the only one who responds to Jesus' power. The last verse of the chapter gives us the response of another group of people. In verse 34, the people of the Gadarenes react to a mighty deed of Jesus. Jesus has just liberated two demon possessed men from the clutches of numerous and powerful demons. From Mark, we know that at least one of these men had terrorized the town people in the region where he lived. One would think that the people of the Gadarenes would rejoice at what Jesus had done. One would expect them to bake Jesus cookies or to throw a party in His honor. But that is not what they do. Instead they say: "Get out. Leave us alone." Why this response to Jesus' power? Perhaps it is a selfish response. Perhaps they were not thrilled that Jesus cost them a herd of pigs. (Of course, if the people of the town were Jews, the Old Testament Law didn't allow them to be in the pig farming business). Or, perhaps their response of the Gadarenes was a response of fear. Perhaps they knew that Jesus' power revealed not only strength but holiness. Perhaps they sensed that they shouldn't be too close too this holy man. Whatever the reason, the power of Jesus actually drove these people away from Him. The Gadarenes understood that with power came claims of lordship. They understood that with power came the need for holiness. And to keep control over their lives, they rejected the help that Jesus had to give.