Monday, February 4, 2008

Matthew, chapter 8

1 When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him. 2 And a leper came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." 3 Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, "See that you tell no one; but go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."
Well, it's nice that Jesus was indeed willing to heal him. And why wouldn't he? I'd heal people too if I had that super-power. But what I don't get is this: Jesus walks around in the mountains, large crowds following him. He then there heals a leper but tells him not to say anything!? What about the multitudes who followed him? Didn't they catch this healing?
16 When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill.
The demons really were omnipresent at the time there. But it seems they've gone out of business since. And, again, too but for the people who are ill today that there isn't such a miracle worker walking around anymore ...
21 Another of the disciples said to Him, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father." 22 But Jesus said to him, "Follow Me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead."
Wow, that's respectful and nice again! Follow me and forget about your dead father!
28 When He came to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, two men who were demon-possessed met Him as they were coming out of the tombs. They were so extremely violent that no one could pass by that way.
This is the same 'casting-demons-into-pigs' story with all the related problems that we've already seen in Mark 5. But this time it's two madmen, not one. Another discrepancy between the Gospels.

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