Miracles, Authority, and Teaching the Twelve - Matthew in Twelve Weeks
A Bible Study Covering chapters 8-10 of the Gospel of Matthew - Leader Guide and Handout
In Matthew chapters 8-10, we witness a powerful demonstration of Jesus' authority through His miracles, teachings, and the commissioning of His disciples. These chapters reveal Jesus' compassion for the suffering, His power over nature and spiritual forces, and His preparation of the Twelve for their future ministry. As we study these passages, we'll explore how Jesus' actions and words continue to shape our understanding of discipleship and mission today.
Jesus Demonstrates His Authority (Matthew 8:1-9:34)
In these chapters, Jesus' ministry is characterized by a series of miracles that demonstrate His authority over various aspects of creation. Matthew’s exposition here shows a multifaceted and thorough exploration and witnessing of Jesus’ love and authority.
Authority over Disease and Nature
Have study group participants read Matthew 8:1-4, then discuss Matthew 8:1-17; 23-27, focusing on Jesus’ authority over the natural world.
Jesus heals a leper, a centurion's servant, Peter's mother-in-law, and many others, demonstrating His power over physical ailments. He also calms a storm, showing His authority over nature itself. Jesus repeatedly performs miracles of healing in order to show his love and the beneficence of the Kingdom of Heaven, not merely as idle shows of power.
Authority over Spiritual Forces
Have study group participants read Matthew 8:28-34, then discuss the implications of Jesus' authority over demons.
Jesus' encounter with the demon-possessed men showcases His authority over spiritual forces. This episode highlights the reality of spiritual warfare in the Gospels, a theme that may challenge our modern worldview. Matthew focuses on this element of Jesus’ ministry, demonstrating repeatedly that fallen angels are powerless in the presence of Jesus. Much like Jesus’ healing ministry, Jesus’ power in the spiritual realm highlights his compassion and love those who have faith in him.
Authority to Forgive Sins
Have study group participants read Matthew 9:1-8, then discuss 9:1-17, focusing on Jesus' claim regarding his authority to forgive sins.
Jesus pairs the forgiveness of sins with physical healing, demonstrating His divine authority to address both spiritual and physical needs. In the Jewish sacrificial system, the forgiveness of sins was assumed by and mediated through priests. Jesus, as the High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16), demonstrates his Divine authority by forgiving sins.
The Role of Faith
Have study group participants read Matthew 9:18-26, focusing on both stories in 9:18-34 and discussing the importance of faith in Jesus' healing ministry.
Throughout these miracles, Jesus often emphasizes the importance of faith. "Your faith has healed you" (9:22) is a recurring theme, highlighting the connection between trusting in Jesus and receiving His blessings. The Kingdom of Heaven is something that must be believed in to receive the ability to participate in it. Jesus’ miracles and His emphasis on the role of faith parallel this idea, just as it parallels God’s whole plan of salvation.
Jesus' Compassion and the Call for Workers (Matthew 9:35-10:1)
Invite a study participant to read Matthew 9:35-10:1, discussing how Jesus involves His disciples in His ministry. Consider how this pattern may continue through the Church.
This transitional passage serves as a bridge between Jesus' ministry and the commissioning of the Twelve. It highlights the central and ongoing themes of Jesus' ministry of teaching, preaching, and healing, and His deep compassion for the crowds. However, Matthew notes further development in Jesus’ plan, shifting the perspective from Jesus’ personal work to a much wider frame. The metaphor of the plentiful harvest and the need for workers sets the stage for Jesus to establish His disciples' role as workers in the harvest and to instruct them to pray for more workers.
Notice well the authority that Jesus gives to His disciples: authority over unclean spirits and authority to heal every disease and every sickness. This authority would be used by the disciples to demonstrate that they were sent by God, through Jesus, to be instruments of compassion unto the suffering people of Israel.
The Commissioning and Instruction of the Twelve (Matthew 10:2-42)
Invite a study participant to read Matthew 10:24-33, discussing Jesus' instructions to the Twelve and how these might apply to the Church's mission today.
In this section, Jesus commissions the Twelve, giving them detailed instructions for their mission. He empowers them with the same authority He has demonstrated, enabling them to heal and preach just as He has done. Initially, Jesus limits their mission to the "lost sheep of Israel," setting a focused scope for their work. This commissioning serves as a model for the Church's future mission, though the scope would later expand to include all nations.
Jesus provides specific guidance about their conduct, their message, and even their response to rejection. His instructions emphasize reliance on God's provision and the urgency of their message. The parallels between Jesus' own ministry and the mission He gives to the Twelve highlight the discipleship principle of following Christ's example in both word and deed. Jesus does not brush past challenges in this approach, but simply and directly warns his disciples in order to prepare them to face the obstacles ahead. Jesus’ reminders of his authority and power, mirroring His teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, reiterate to his disciples that they must find their peace and security in God.
Conversation Starters
Jesus often told people not to spread the news about His miracles. How might this "Messianic secret" relate to His overall mission and timing? What do we make of His teaching to the disciples that they should “proclaim on the rooftops” (10:27)?
The Gospels present demons and spiritual warfare as a clear reality. How does this impact our worldview and approach to ministry today?
Jesus says, "The one who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me" (10:37). What is the point of this teaching, and how do we apply it in our lives without neglecting our familial responsibilities?
How does Jesus' commissioning of the Twelve inform our understanding of the Church's mission today? Are we called to continue their work? Why or why not?
Reflect on Jesus' statement, "Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it" (10:39). What does this paradox mean for our daily choices and priorities?
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