The eighth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew is filled with stories of Jesus performing miracles and teaching parables. Verses 18 through 31 of the chapter are no different, as Jesus works to heal a man’s servant and then speaks of the cost of following Him. In this passage, Jesus explains the rewards and responsibilities that come with being a faithful Christian.
Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant
The passage begins with a centurion coming to Jesus to ask for help for his servant, who was deathly ill. The centurion believed that Jesus had the power to heal the servant from afar and did not want to bother Him. Jesus was amazed at the centurion’s faith and healed the servant immediately. This story serves as a reminder that Jesus can heal us even from afar, no matter how far away we are from Him.
The Cost of Following Jesus
Following this story, Jesus speaks about the cost of following Him. He explains that those who choose to follow Him must be willing to leave behind all that they know, including their family and possessions. This is meant to serve as a reminder that we must be willing to give up everything in order to be a true follower of Jesus. We must be willing to put Him first in all that we do and trust in His plans for our lives.
The Rewards of Following Jesus
Jesus also speaks of the rewards of following Him. He explains that those who choose to follow Him will receive a hundredfold in this life, including homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and lands. He also speaks of inheriting eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven. This is meant to remind us that while it may be difficult to make the choice to follow Jesus, the rewards are worth it. We can have peace and joy in this life, and eternal life in the next.
The Parable of the Seed
The passage ends with the parable of the seed. In this parable, Jesus speaks of a man who scatters seed on different types of soil. He explains that the seed that falls on the rocky ground will not take root, and will be scorched by the sun. He then explains that the seed that falls on good soil will take root and produce a good crop. This parable is meant to remind us that when it comes to faith, we must ensure that we are planting our faith on good soil. We must be willing to nourish our faith with prayer, reading the Bible, and spending time with God.
Conclusion
The eighth chapter of Matthew is filled with many stories and teachings of Jesus. Verses 18 through 31 of the chapter are no different, as Jesus works to heal a man’s servant and then speaks of the cost of following Him. In this passage, Jesus explains the rewards and responsibilities that come with being a faithful Christian. He reminds us that we must be willing to give up everything in order to be a true follower of Jesus, and that the rewards are worth it. He also speaks of the parable of the seed, reminding us that when it comes to faith, we must ensure that we are planting our faith on good soil.
