‏ Matthew 8

* Multitudes follow Christ. (1) He heals a leper. (2-4) A

centurion's servant healed. (5-13) Cure of Peter's wife's

mother. (14-17) The scribe's zealous proposal. (18-22) Christ in

a storm. (23-27) He heals two possessed with devils. (28-34)

1 This verse refers to the close of the foregoing sermon. Those

to whom Christ has made himself known, desire to know more of

him. 2-4 In these verses we have an account of Christ's cleansing a

leper, who came and worshipped him, as one clothed with Divine

power. This cleansing directs us, not only to apply to Christ,

who has power over bodily diseases, for the cure of them, but it

also teaches us in what manner to apply to him. When we cannot

be sure of God's will, we may be sure of his wisdom and mercy.

No guilt is so great, but there is that in Christ's blood which

atones for it; no corruption so strong, but there is that in his

grace which can subdue it. To be made clean we must commend

ourselves to his pity; we cannot demand it as a debt, but we

must humbly request it as a favour. Those who by faith apply to

Christ for mercy and grace, may be sure that he is freely

willing to give them the mercy and grace they thus seek. And

those afflictions are blessed that bring us to know Christ, and

cause us to seek help and salvation from him. Let those who are

cleansed from their spiritual leprosy, go to Christ's ministers

and open their case, that they may advise, comfort, and pray for

them. 5-13 This centurion was a heathen, a Roman soldier. Though he

was a soldier, yet he was a godly man. No man's calling or place

will be an excuse for unbelief and sin. See how he states his

servant's case. We should concern ourselves for the souls of our

children and servants, who are spiritually sick, who feel not

spiritual evils, who know not that which is spiritually good;

and we should bring them to Christ by faith and prayers. Observe

his self-abasement. Humble souls are made more humble by

Christ's gracious dealings with them. Observe his great faith.

The more diffident we are of ourselves, the stronger will be our

confidence in Christ. Herein the centurion owns him to have

Divine power, and a full command of all the creatures and powers

of nature, as a master over his servants. Such servants we all

should be to God; we must go and come, according to the

directions of his word and the disposals of his providence. But

when the Son of man comes he finds little faith, therefore he

finds little fruit. An outward profession may cause us to be

called children of the kingdom; but if we rest in that, and have

nothing else to show, we shall be cast out. The servant got a

cure of his disease, and the master got the approval of his

faith. What was said to him, is said to all, Believe, and ye

shall receive; only believe. See the power of Christ, and the

power of faith. The healing of our souls is at once the effect

and evidence of our interest in the blood of Christ. 14-17 Peter had a wife, yet was an apostle of Christ, who

showed that he approved of the married state, by being thus kind

to Peter's wife's relations. The church of Rome, which forbids

ministers to marry, goes contrary to that apostle upon whom they

rest so much. He had his wife's mother with him in his family,

which is an example to be kind to our relations. In spiritual

healing, the Scripture speaks the word, the Spirit gives the

touch, touches the heart, touches the hand. Those who recover

from fevers, commonly are weak and feeble some time after; but

to show that this cure was above the power of nature, the woman

was at once so well as to go about the business of the house.

The miracles which Jesus did being noised abroad, many thronged

to him. He healed all that were sick, though the patient was

ever so mean, and the case ever so bad. Many are the diseases

and calamities to which we are liable in the body; and there is

more, in those words of the gospel, that Jesus Christ bore our

sicknesses and carried our sorrows, to support and comfort us

under them, than in all the writings of the philosophers. Let us

not grudge labour, trouble, or expense in doing good to others. 18-22 One of the scribes was too hasty in promising; he

proffers himself to be a close follower of Christ. He seems to

be very resolute. Many resolutions for religion are produced by

sudden conviction, and taken up without due consideration; these

come to nothing. When this scribe offered to follow Christ, one

would think he should have been encouraged; one scribe might do

more credit and service than twelve fishermen; but Christ saw

his heart, and answered to its thoughts, and therein teaches all

how to come to Christ. His resolve seems to have been from a

worldly, covetous principle; but Christ had not a place to lay

his head on, and if he follows him, he must not expect to fare

better than he fared. We have reason to think this scribe went

away. Another was too slow. Delay in doing is as bad on the one

hand, as hastiness in resolving is on the other. He asked leave

to attend his father to his grave, and then he would be at

Christ's service. This seemed reasonable, yet it was not right.

He had not true zeal for the work. Burying the dead, especially

a dead father, is a good work, but it is not thy work at this

time. If Christ requires our service, affection even for the

nearest and dearest relatives, and for things otherwise our

duty, must give way. An unwilling mind never wants an excuse.

Jesus said to him, Follow me; and, no doubt, power went with

this word to him as to others; he did follow Christ, and cleaved

to him. The scribe said, I will follow thee; to this man Christ

said, Follow me; comparing them together, it shows that we are

brought to Christ by the force of his call to us, #Ro 9:16|. 23-27 It is a comfort to those who go down to the sea in ships,

and are often in perils there, to reflect that they have a

Saviour to trust in and pray to, who knows what it is to be on

the water, and to be in storms there. Those who are passing with

Christ over the ocean of this world, must expect storms. His

human nature, like to ours in every thing but sin, was wearied,

and he slept at this time to try the faith of his disciples.

They, in their fear, came to their Master. Thus is it in a soul;

when lusts and temptations are swelling and raging, and God is,

as it were, asleep to it, this brings it to the brink of

despair. Then it cries for a word from his mouth, Lord Jesus,

keep not silence to me, or I am undone. Many that have true

faith, are weak in it. Christ's disciples are apt to be

disquieted with fears in a stormy day; to torment themselves

that things are bad with them, and with dismal thoughts that

they will be worse. Great storms of doubt and fear in the soul,

under the power of the spirit of bondage, sometimes end in a

wonderful calm, created and spoken by the Spirit of adoption.

They were astonished. They never saw a storm so turned at once

into a perfect calm. He that can do this, can do any thing,

which encourages confidence and comfort in him, in the most

stormy day, within or without, #Isa 26:4|. 28-34 The devils have nothing to do with Christ as a Saviour;

they neither have, nor hope for any benefit from him. Oh the

depth of this mystery of Divine love; that fallen man has so

much to do with Christ, when fallen angels have nothing to do

with him! #Heb 2:16|. Surely here was torment, to be forced to

own the excellence that is in Christ, and yet they had no part

in him. The devils desire not to have any thing to do with

Christ as a Ruler. See whose language those speak, who will have

nothing to do with the gospel of Christ. But it is not true that

the devils have nothing to do with Christ as a Judge; for they

have, and they know it, and thus it is with all the children of

men. Satan and his instruments can go no further than he

permits; they must quit possession when he commands. They cannot

break his hedge of protection about his people; they cannot

enter even a swine without his leave. They had leave. God often,

for wise and holy ends, permits the efforts of Satan's rage.

Thus the devil hurries people to sin; hurries them to what they

have resolved against, which they know will be shame and grief

to them: miserable is the condition of those who are led captive

by him at his will. There are a great many who prefer their

swine before the Saviour, and so come short of Christ and

salvation by him. They desire Christ to depart out of their

hearts, and will not suffer his word to have place in them,

because he and his word would destroy their brutish lusts, those

swine which they give themselves up to feed. And justly will

Christ forsake all that are weary of him; and say hereafter,

Depart, ye cursed, to those who now say to the Almighty, Depart

from us.