ENCOUNTERS WITH JESUS: AN AMAZING EXAMPLE

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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At the conclusion of the great teaching known as the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ had a series of encounters that helped his disciples to better understand Jesus’ character and divine nature. In this series of devotionals we will be looking into this collection of teachings and miraculous encounters as they were recorded for us in Matthew chapters eight and nine. 

Before we get into the passage for today, let’s look again at how the Gospel writer brought Jesus’ teaching to a conclusion as we read the passage that follows:

28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

(Matthew 7:28 NIV11)

Amazement

It was into this context that the events of Matthew chapters eight and nine were presented to the reader of the Gospel. All that follows this proclamation of amazement by those who observed the authority and power of Jesus’ words is presented so that the reader can see examples of Jesus’ true nature and authority. 

Truth

Jesus Christ amazed those who heard him because his words were tied to truth. 

As the divine Word of God (see John chapter one), Jesus spoke with an authority that cannot be found in humankind. His words were a gift from heaven and, as such, struck mankind in a way that still amazes even the most skeptical of modern doubters. 

Authenticity

But another reason why the words of Jesus amazed those who heard them was due to the  authenticity of the speaker. Unlike the teacher of the law, Jesus spoke about that which he embodied. He was not telling people how to live in order to please God while hiding his own lack of faith and obedience to the message of God’s word. 

The words of Jesus were striking because he was the only man who had ever lived out God’s pure and perfect truth. Therefore, Jesus spoke with authenticity. 

Examples

In the events that followed Jesus’ time of teaching, as recorded in Matthew chapters five to seven, we see an example of Jesus’ authority over all things alongside an example of his pure and humble heart. Listen to the way this encounter is told in the following: 

1 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 

2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 

4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

(Matthew 8:1-4 NIV11)

Risky

In verses 1-2, we see Jesus being confronted by a man who had some sort of obvious disorder that affected his skin. He could have had leprosy or any number of other disorders that would have caused this person to be set aside from public life. 

This man was not supposed to be in this crowd. The man defied the law of the day and sought out Jesus of Nazareth. We know nothing of his circumstances except that he had taken a massive risk to come to Jesus. 

Embracing

In verse 3, we hear how Jesus Christ received this man. He did not treat him as the religious leaders would have, chastising him for being out of quarantine and refusing to go near him. Jesus instead reached out to the man. He placed his hands on the man, embracing and welcoming him into his presence. 

Willing

Jesus reassured the man that not only was the man welcomed into his company, but that Jesus was most definitely willing to meet the man in his place of need. Jesus saw the belief in this man’s risky leap of faith and he rewarded him with healing. 

Faithful

In verse 4 we heard about Jesus’ character. Jesus did not make a public spectacle of this man’s healing. He most certainly could have. He could have used this healing to show the huge crowd of people gathered in that place that he was indeed the Son of Man, God in flesh. 

Instead, Jesus encouraged the man to continue on his journey of faith and spiritual maturity. He instructed the man to bring God glory by being faithful to the command of the law of Moses. By asking the man to complete the process of healing in this way, Jesus showed that his primary concern was for the man’s personal walk with God rather than being seen as a great healer. 

Conclusion

We cannot speak the message of God’s heart for mankind, as did Jesus. 

But we can speak from the heart as Jesus did. We can learn from Jesus to only speak that which we are willing to live out ourselves. Jesus was authentic in his message to others, and we are called to nothing less. 

We cannot bring physical healing to others, as did Jesus. 

But we can reach out to those in their times of need and not be afraid to get our hands dirty as we help our friends and family find strength after times of pain and loss. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, I recognize who you truly are. You are God in flesh appearing. You are worthy of all worship and praise. I am amazed at your wisdom and truth. I am amazed at your willingness to love the broken and embrace the repentant sinner. I am amazed at the way you show such humility when you deserve such praise. Help me to learn from you today.

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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