March 3

Text: Matthew 8:16, 17

And when evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill in order that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, "HE HIMSELF TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES, AND CARRIED AWAY OUR DISEASES." (NASB)

“I care about you!”  “Really?  How do I know you care?”  Note that Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is bracketed with enormous expressions of compassion.  Matthew 4:24 spoke of mass healings.  Matthew 8:2-17 spoke of compassion.  Both declared that Jesus did the physically impossible.

How did Jesus use miracles?  To “Wow!” people with his power?  No!  It is difficult to prove concern about spiritual needs if you are unconcerned about physical needs.  Note the subject is needs, not desires.

No matter what the physical distress was, the person only had that immediate distress addressed through a miracle.  The healed person still could get sick.  The person raised from death to physical life died again.  A miracle—though welcomed—was a temporary solution.  Jesus’ mission addressed spiritual needs—permanent solutions.  However, people cared about his spiritual message ONLY if he demonstrated his physical concern for them.

Consider an example.  Carefully reflect on John 3:2. This man came to Him by night, and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." (NASB)  Answer these questions: Why did Nicodemus come to Jesus?  This prominent man came to Jesus because he knew Jesus came from God.  How did he know that?  The only way Jesus could do what he did is because God enabled him! 

God is interested in you as a person.  He desires for you the best life you can experience—as a single, in marriage, in family, in occupation, as a person.  However, anything you experience physically is temporary.  God wants you to experience eternal good.  He wishes you to experience blessings that are beyond death.  He cares—about everything that touches your existence.

Suggestion for reflection: Do you care about Jesus’ teachings?  Why?  (Read 1 Peter 5:6, 7.)