Jesus Cares!

¹⁸ As Jesus was saying this, the leader (ruler, rabbi) of a (Jewish) synagogue came and knelt (worshipped) before Him. “My daughter has just died,” he said, “but You can bring her back to life again if You just come and lay Your hand on her.” ¹⁹ So Jesus and His disciples got up and went with him. ²⁰ Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind Him. She touched the fringe of His robe, ²¹ for she thought, “If I can just touch His robe, I will be healed.” ²² Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed (restored) at that moment. ²³ When Jesus arrived at the official’s home, He saw the noisy crowd and heard the funeral music (flute-players). ²⁴ “Get out!” He told them. “The girl is not dead; she is only asleep.” But the crowd laughed at Him. ²⁵ After the crowd was put outside, however, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up! ²⁶ The report of this miracle swept through the entire countryside.

²⁷ After Jesus left the girl’s home, two blind men followed along behind Him, shouting (crying aloud), “Son of David, have mercy on us!” ²⁸ They went right into the house where He was staying, and Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?” “Yes, Lord,” they told Him, “we do.” ²⁹ Then He touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith (trust and reliance on Jesus’ healing power), it will happen.” ³⁰ Then their eyes were opened, and they could see! Jesus sternly warned them, “Do not tell anyone about this.” ³¹ But instead, they went out and spread His fame all over the region. ³² When they left, a demon-possessed man who could not speak (mute) was brought to Jesus. ³³ So Jesus cast out the demon, and then the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed. “Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!” they exclaimed. ³⁴ But the Pharisees said, “He can cast out demons because He is empowered by the prince of demons.”

³⁵ Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing (proclaiming) the Good News (the Gospel) about the Kingdom. And He healed (cured) every kind of disease and illness. ³⁶ When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ He said to His disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. ³⁸ So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into His fields.” Matthew 9:18-38 (NLT)

The final series of Jesus’ ten miracles occur in these Scripture passages. In Matthew 9:18-38, Jesus healed a woman suffering from constant bleeding (Matthew 9:20-22), raised a girl from the dead (Matthew 9:18-19, 23-26), gave sight to two blind men (Matthew 9:27-31), and restored a mute man’s speech (Matthew 9:32-33). After Jesus’ tenth miracle, the crowds were amazed and cried out, “Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!” (Matthew 9:33). With these ten miracles, Matthew continued to paint a theological portrait of Jesus as the Messiah (Christ), the King of the Jews (Israel), the Son of David, the Son of the living God, the Great Shepherd, and Savior of the world!  

Those who came seeking Jesus’ miraculous healing were a mixed multitude. In these set of miracles, Matthew first presents a ruler of a Jewish synagogue seeking Jesus to restore his daughter’s life (Matthew 9:18-19). From Mark and Luke’s Gospels, we know that the synagogue ruler’s name was Jairus (Mark 5:22; Luke 8:41). Like the previous Roman centurion (Matthew 8:5), the synagogue ruler believed and trusted that Jesus could heal and restore his daughter’s life. However, as Jesus was making His way to the ruler’s home, a woman who had suffered twelve years of bleeding touched Jesus’ garment (Matthew 9:20). This woman was desperate. Matthew tells us that that the woman thought and believed, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well” (Matthew 9:21, NKJV). The woman’s faith was not in vain. Jesus turned to the suffering woman and said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well” (Matthew 9:22, NKJV). Instantly, the woman was healed and restored to good health (Matthew 9:22, NKJV). Like this woman, we too can simply reach out in faith to Jesus, and He will respond! Continuing onto the synagogue ruler’s house, Jesus entered the deceased girl’s room and restored the girl to life (Matthew 9:25; see also John 11:38-44). The ruler’s faith in Jesus was also not in vain. Jesus’ healing power knows no limits when we have faith and trust in Him (Matthew 9:22, 29; see also Luke 7:50)! Jesus has the miraculous power to heal not only our physical outward sickness and weakness but also heal our spiritual inward sickness (sin). Sin makes a person sick! The report of Jesus’ wonderful miracles swept the entire countryside (Matthew 9:26, 31; see also Matthew 14:34-36).

Passing on from the girl’s home, Jesus is followed by two blind men. The blind men called out and shouted to Jesus, “O Son of King David, have mercy on us” (Matthew 9:27, TLB; see also Isaiah 35:5-6). Amazingly, these two blind men could see that Jesus was the long-awaited Son of David predicted by the Old Testament prophets (see e.g., 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Jeremiah 30:9; Jeremiah 33:15-16; Zechariah 9:9;  Matthew 1:1). Like many others, Jesus healed and restored the two blind men’s sight because of their faith in Him (Matthew 9:2, 22, 29-30; see also Matthew 8:10, 13; Matthew 15:28). 

In the tenth miracle, Jesus healed a demon-possessed man who could not speak (Matthew 9:32-33). When Jesus casted the demon out of the mute man, the man was instantly healed. Demonic influences manifest itself in various forms; here the demon prevented the man from speaking (see also Matthew 12:22). Upon seeing the healing, the crowd was amazed and shouted, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel” (Matthew 9:33, NIV). However, not everyone celebrated Jesus’ miraculous healing power. Some watching Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that He drives out demons” (Matthew 9:34, NIV). However, the Pharisees overlooked the genuineness of Jesus’ ministry through His authoritative teaching, moral excellence of His character, and His ministry of doing good (see e.g., Matthew 9:35-36; Matthew 7:16; John 3:2; John 9:31-33; Acts 10:38). The compassion and mercy of Jesus is a repeated theme of the New Testament (see e.g., Matthew 14:14; Matthew 15:32; Mark 6:34). Jesus expects faithful Christians to show compassion, kindness, patience, and mercy towards others in need (e.g., see Colossians 3:12; Hebrews 10:34; James 5:11).

In Matthew 9:35-38, Matthew once again summarizes Jesus’ ministry as going out in “all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News (Gospel) of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness” (Matthew 9:35, NIV; see also Matthew 4:23-25). Jesus was the Good Shepherd, and He cared for the hurting people (John 10:11; see also Jeremiah 3:15; Jeremiah 23:4-6; Ezekiel 34:23; Hebrews 13:20; Revelation 7:17). As in Old Testament times, the shepherds of the people failed to faithfully care for the flock of God (Matthew 9:36; see e.g., Ezekiel 34; Micah 5:4; Zechariah 10:3-4).

In Matthew chapters 8 and 9, Matthew has given readers the ten miracles of Jesus to prove His miraculous healing powers, just as in Matthew chapters 5 through 7, Matthew presents Jesus’ great teaching ministry.

References

ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

Ross, Mark E. Let’s Study Matthew (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2009).

Jesus Brings Peace and New Life

²³ Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake (Sea of Galilee) with His disciples. ²⁴ Suddenly, a fierce (great, violent) storm struck the lake (Sea of Galilee), with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵ The disciples went and woke Him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We are going to drown (perish)!” ²⁶ Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid (timid)? You have so little faith!” Then He got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly all was calm (peacefulness). ²⁷ The disciples were amazed (marveled). “Who is this Man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey Him!”

²⁸ When Jesus arrived on the other side of the lake (Sea of Galilee), in the region of the Gadarenes, two men who were possessed (controlled) by demons met Him. They lived in a cemetery and were so violent (fierce) that no one could go through that area. ²⁹ They began screaming at Him, “Why are You interfering with us, Son of God? Have You come here to torture us before God’s appointed time?” ³⁰ There happened to be a large herd of pigs (swine) feeding in the distance. ³¹ So the demons begged, “If You cast us out, send us into that herd of pigs.” ³² “All right, go!” Jesus commanded them. So the demons came out of the men and entered the pigs, and the whole herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water. ³³ The herdsmen fled to the nearby town, telling everyone what happened to the demon-possessed men. ³⁴ Then the entire town came out to meet Jesus, but they begged Him to go away and leave them alone.

¹ Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake (Sea of Galilee) to His own town (Capernaum). ² Some people brought to Him a paralyzed man on a mat (bed, sleeping pad). Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.” ³ But some of the teachers of religious law (scribes) said to themselves, “That is blasphemy! Does He think He is God?” ⁴ Jesus knew (seeing) what they were thinking (thoughts), so He asked them, “Why do you have such evil (malice) thoughts in your hearts? ⁵ Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? ⁶ So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” ⁷ And the man jumped up and went home! ⁸ Fear (awe) swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised (glorified) God for sending a Man with such great authority.

⁹ As Jesus was walking along, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow Me and be My disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed Him. ¹⁰ Later, Matthew invited Jesus and His disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable (wicked) sinners. ¹¹ But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with such scum (tax collectors and sinners)?” ¹² When Jesus heard this, He said, “Healthy people do not need a doctor—sick people do.” ¹³ Then He added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices (cf. Hosea 6:6).’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

¹⁴ One day the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus and asked Him, “Why do your disciples not fast like we do and the Pharisees do?” ¹⁵ Jesus replied, “Do wedding guests mourn while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. ¹⁶ Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before. ¹⁷ And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved.” Matthew 8:23-9:17 (NLT)

In these Scripture passages, Matthew gives readers three more miracles of Jesus. Matthew wanted to reveal Jesus’ miraculous power over the winds and waves (Matthew 8:23-27), over legions of demons (Matthew 8:24-34), and finally over sin and sickness (Matthew 9:1-7), which lead the crowd to praise God for sending Jesus (Matthew 9:8). Then, Matthew gives his personal testimony of salvation, which dramatically revealed Jesus’ love and forgiveness for all people – saints and sinners (Matthew 9:9-13)!

While Jesus was with His disciples in a boat, a furious storm came up over the Sea of Galilee, so that the winds and waves swept over the boat (Matthew 8:24). However, Jesus was peacefully sleeping. Jesus’ disciples cried out to Him and said, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing” (Matthew 8:25, ESV). Jesus woke up from His sleep and said to His disciples during the storm, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26, ESV). Then Jesus arose and rebuked the storm, and there were a great peace and calm over the waters (Matthew 8:26). The disciples were amazed, saying, “What sort of Man is this, that even winds and sea obey Him?” (Matthew 8:27, ESV). Jesus was not only strong enough to heal every disease and sickness (Matthew 8:16-17), but He can also calm our storms (Matthew 8:26-27).

After arriving on the other side of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus was confronted by two demon-possessed men (Matthew 8:28). These two men were evil, violent, and dangerous (Matthew 8:28). Sadly, evil had robbed these men of their sanity and self-control. When confronted with God incarnate (Matthew 1:23), these two demon-possessed men screamed at Jesus, “What do You want with us, O Son of God?” (Matthew 8:29, TLB). Seeing a herd of pigs feeding in the distance, the demons begged Jesus to send them into that herd of pigs (Matthew 8:31). Jesus granted the demons’ wishes. The demons came out of the men, entered the pigs, and the whole herd rushed over a cliff and drowned in the waters (Matthew 8:32). The people of the city heard about Jesus and asked Jesus to leave their region (Matthew 8:33-34). Shockingly, the people cared more about pigs than Jesus!

Then, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and the people brought Him a paralyzed man (Matthew 9:1-2). Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven” (Matthew 9:2, ESV; see also Acts 3:16; James 5:15). Jesus’ miraculous healing of the paralyzed man caused a great controversy with the watching religious leaders, and they inwardly accused Jesus of blasphemy (Matthew 9:3). Knowing and seeing their internal thoughts, Jesus said to the religious leaders, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?” Matthew 9:4, ESV). To prove He has the power to forgive sins, Jesus said to the paralyzed men “Rise, pick up your bed and go home” (Matthew 9:6, ESV). The once paralyzed man arose and went home (Matthew 9:7). When the crowds saw Jesus’ miraculous healing, they marveled and glorified the living God, who had given Jesus such authority (Matthew 9:8). In Jesus, the people saw God at work!

As Jesus’ cured the paralyzed man, He said to the man, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven” (Matthew 9:2, ESV). Some biblical scholars noted that Jesus’ statement suggests that this man’s sin and sickness were interrelated. The Holy Scriptures teach that sickness and disease come for many reasons, including our sins (see e.g., Deuteronomy 28:15-63; 1 Corinthians 11:27-32); to prevent sin (see e.g., 2 Corinthians 12:7-10); to test our faithfulness to God (see e.g., Job 2:1-7); to display God’s glory (see e.g., John 9:2); or because of demons and evil (see e.g., Acts 5:15-16). Though our sins are not always the direct cause of our suffering and sickness (see e.g., John 9:2-3), ultimately all sin and death resulted from the Great Fall or original sin in Genesis 3 that lead to humankind’s first death (see Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:16-19). As God incarnate, Jesus has the power to forgive all our sins and heal all our diseases (see Psalm 103:3). Through our faith in Him, Jesus heals our physical sickness and forgives our spiritual sickness in the form of sin and brings us new life (see 2 Corinthians 5:17).

After telling of Jesus’ miraculous healings, Matthew tells the readers of his personal salvation by Jesus while working as a tax collector for Rome (Matthew 9:9-13). As Jesus passed by Matthew sitting at the tax collection booth, He said to Matthew, “Follow Me” (Matthew 9:9). Like the other disciples before Him (Matthew 4:18-22), Matthew immediately left His lucrative government job and followed Jesus (Matthew 9:9). Then, Matthew invited Jesus to his home where many tax collectors and sinners came and reclined with Jesus and His disciples (Matthew 9:10). During Jesus’ time, many Jews viewed tax collectors as cheats, traitors, and sinners that served the Romans Empire. When the Pharisees saw Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners, they said to Jesus’ disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (Matthew 9:11, ESV). Jesus overheard the Pharisees’ comments against Him and said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” (Matthew 9:12, ESV). Then, Jesus said to the Pharisees, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners” (Matthew 9:13, NLT; see also Hosea 6:6). “Sacrifice” summarized observance to religious rituals and ceremonies. More important to God was our mercy and lovingkindness towards Him and towards others as our goodness bring Him glory (see Matthew 22:34-40; see also Matthew 5:13-16; Titus 2:11-14)! God in the Old Testament informed the people through His faithful prophets what He required: “to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8, NLT; see also Genesis 5:22; Deuteronomy 10:12-13; 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 22:3; Zechariah 7:9-10).

Then, John the Baptist’s disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” (Matthew 9:14, ESV). Jesus said to John the Baptist’s disciples that He was the Bridegroom, and His disciples did not need to fast while He was with them (Matthew 9:15). Jesus revealed His life and teaching brought “a new wine” and fresh wineskins will be required (Matthew 9:17). As God incarnate, Jesus is all-powerful that the winds and waves obey, demons flee, and every disease healed! The Kingdom of God dawned with Jesus, and He brought new life and growth in Kingdom righteousness (see also Matthew 1:23; Matthew 4:16).

References

ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

Life Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005).

Ryrie Study Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995).

Ross, Mark E. Let’s Study Matthew (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2009).

Jesus Heals Every Disease!

¹ Large crowds followed Jesus as He came down the mountainside. ² Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached Him and knelt (worshipped) before Him. “Lord,” the man said, “if You are willing, You can heal me and make me clean.” ³ Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” He said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. ⁴ Then Jesus said to him, “Do not tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the Law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy (cf. Leviticus 14:2-32). This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”

⁵ When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer (centurion) came and pleaded with Him, ⁶ “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.” ⁷ Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.” ⁸ But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come into my home. Just say the word from where You are, and my servant will be healed. ⁹ I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” ¹⁰ When Jesus heard this, He was amazed. Turning to those who were following Him, He said, “I tell you the truth, I have not seen faith like this in all Israel! ¹¹ And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. ¹² But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” ¹³ Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour.

¹⁴ When Jesus arrived at Peter’s house, Peter’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. ¹⁵ But when Jesus touched her hand, the fever left her. Then she got up and prepared a meal for Him. ¹⁶ That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and He healed all the sick. ¹⁷ This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said, “He took our sicknesses (weakness, infirmities) and removed our diseases (cf. Isaiah 53:4).”

¹⁸ When Jesus saw the crowd around Him, He instructed His disciples to cross to the other side of the lake. ¹⁹ Then one of the teachers of religious law (scribe) said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever you go.” ²⁰ But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay His head.” ²¹ Another of His disciples said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” ²² But Jesus told him, “Follow Me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead.” Matthew 8:1-22 (NLT)

Following Jesus’ great Sermon on the Mount, Matthew chapters 8 and 9 contains ten great miracles of Jesus. Jesus was not only great with words but also with deeds. Matthew 4:23 summarized Jesus’ ministry as “teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people” (Matthew 4:23, NIV).

Coming down the mountain, Jesus first healed a leper with an infectious skin disease (Matthew 8:2-4; see also Leviticus 13). Then, Jesus healed a Roman centurion’s young servant lying in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain (Matthew 8:5-13). The Roman centurion was a Gentile (non-Jew) with exemplary faith (Matthew 8:10). Next, Jesus healed Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, a housewife, who was sick with fever (Matthew 8:14-17). By evening, Jesus healed many demon-possessed people, cast out evil spirits with a simple command, and healed all the sick (Matthew 8:16-17; see also Mark 1:32-34).

For Matthew, Jesus’ miraculous healing power had no limits as Jesus healed every disease and every affliction among the people (Matthew 8:16; see also Mark 1:29-34; Luke 4:38-41). Thus, Jesus’ life and ministry fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy from Isaiah that “He Himself bore our sicknesses, and He carried our pains” (Matthew 8:17; see also Isaiah 53:4, HCSB). Jesus is “God our Savior” and He has healing power over all sin, sickness, and infirmities to bring our salvation (restoration) (Matthew 11:2-6; see also Psalm 107:19-20; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9). In these verses, Jesus’ miraculous healing revealed His endless tender mercy to save and restore all people – men, women, Jews and Gentiles, young and old – who turn to Him in faith and worship (Matthew 8:2, 13; see also Matthew 15:21-28).

After Jesus’ miraculous healings, Matthew inserts a brief story about discipleship. As great crows continued to follow Jesus, two would-be disciples approached Him. First, a teacher of religious law (scribe) wanted to be Jesus’ disciple (Matthew 8:19). Jesus replied to the would-be disciple that following Him will mean hardship, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay His head” (Matthew 8:20, NLT). With this phrase, Jesus informed the would-be disciple that the Christian life is not one of ease and comfort. Then, another would-be disciple approached Jesus to follow Him but first he requested to bury his father (Matthew 8:21). Some scholars interpret this verse as the would-be disciple’s request to follow Jesus according to his personal scheduling and timing (Matthew 8:21). The point Matthew seeks to make is that no obligation, no job, and no desire can pre-exempt following Jesus (see also Matthew 4:18-22; Matthew 9:9). Even family loyalty does not to take priority over following Jesus. Everything and everyone must yield to Jesus FIRST! True discipleship demands wholehearted love and faithful allegiance to the true and living God and His Son, Jesus (Matthew 6:33-34; see also Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Matthew 10:37; Matthew 22:37).

Also, Matthew 8 gives the first use of Jesus’ title “Son of Man” (Matthew 8:20). “Son of Man” is a title for Jesus that comes from Daniel 7:13-14. This title reveals Jesus’ Messianic name and His claim to Kingship.

Reference                      

Ross, Mark E. Let’s Study Matthew (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2009).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament (Victor Books, 1989).

Two Ways of Living

Jesus:  ¹³ “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway (road) to hell (destruction) is broad (easy), and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. ¹⁴ But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult (hard), and only a few ever find it.

¹⁵ Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but (inwardly) are really vicious wolves. ¹⁶ You can identify (recognize) them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad (rotten) tree produces bad  fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit. ¹⁹ So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.

²¹ Not everyone who calls out to Me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of My Father in heaven will enter. ²² On judgment day many will say to Me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in Your name and cast out demons in Your name and performed many miracles in Your name.’ ²³ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from Me, you who break God’s laws (commands).’

²⁴ Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows (obeys) it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. ²⁵ Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it will not collapse because it is built on bedrock. ²⁶ But anyone who hears My teaching and ignores it is foolish (unwise), like a person who builds a house on sand. ²⁷ When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

²⁸ When Jesus had finished saying these things (Sermon on the Mount), the crowds were amazed (astonished) at His teaching, ²⁹ for He taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law. Matthew 7:13-29 (NLT)

Jesus concludes His great Sermon on the Mount with an encouragement to put into practice and obey His teaching (see also John 8:31-32). Everyone who faithfully obeys and follows Jesus and Jesus’ teaching is wise (Matthew 7:24; see also 1 Corinthians 1:30-31). With His encouragement, Jesus gives people two pathways of living. One path leading to life (heaven) and one path leading to death (hell) (see also Deuteronomy 30:11-20; Luke 13:22-30; John 14:6).

First, Jesus says there are two gates: one wide and one narrow (Matthew 7:13-14). The narrow gate is difficult because the narrow way requires faithful obedience to Jesus and His teaching. Jesus’ teaching requires obedience to the Law and the Prophets that Jesus summarizes as “do to others whatever you would like them to do to you” (Matthew 5:17-20; Matthew 7:12; see also Matthew 22:34-40). The narrow gate leads to life (Matthew 7:14)! The wide gate is lawlessness and easy but leads to death and destruction (Matthew 7:13). This destructive path has a form of godliness but not genuine repentance and obedience to Jesus (see Matthew 4:17; James 2:14).

Second, Jesus warns God’s people to beware of false prophets and teachers and their ungodly lifestyles (Matthew 7:15-20; see also Matthew 24:11). Outwardly, these false workers come in sheep’s clothing, so they appear as God’s sheep (see also 2 Thessalonians. 2:7-12). Inwardly, these false prophets and teachers are in alliance with evil and their lawless teaching leads to destruction, depression, and eternal death (see e.g., Jeremiah 23:16). How can one recognize these false workers? Jesus says, “You can detect them by the way they act, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit” (Matthew 7:16, TLB). In other words, God’s people can identify and recognize false prophets and teachers by their immoral actions, ungodly lifestyles, and bad character (Matthew 7:16; see also Luke 6:43-45; Matthew 12:33-37; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1). Jesus teaches that healthy trees produce good fruit (righteousness, godly lifestyles, and virtuous charter), while diseased trees produce bad (evil) fruit (Matthew 7:17-18, 20; see also Matthew 3:8; Ephesians 5:9; Philippians 1:11). Jesus expects ALL Christians to produce good fruits of righteousness by their faithful union with Him and through the work of the Holy Spirit (see e.g., Matthew 5:1-48; John 15:3-17; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 2:10). False prophets and teachers are rotten and diseased trees, so the fruit they produce will be bad and rotten fruit (see e.g., Romans 1:29-31; Revelation 22:15).

Moreover, Jesus teaches that at the end of age (judgment day) these false prophets and teachers will say, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?” (Matthew 7:22, NIV). Jesus teaches that not everyone who calls Him “Lord, Lord” will enter into heaven (life) but only those who faithfully loved and obeyed God and His Word will enter into eternal life (Matthew 7:21; see also Romans 2:13; James 2:14-26; Revelation 14:12-13). Mighty works are not proof of God’s alliance since they can come from evil and demonic sources (see e.g., Matthew 24:24; Acts 19:11-20; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). Jesus said He would tell these evil workers at judgment day, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Matthew 7:23, NKJV). “Not all who sound religious are really godly people” (Matthew 7:21, TLB). However, every tree that does not produce good and righteous fruit for God’s glory will be chopped down and thrown into eternal fire (Matthew 7:19; see also John 15:2, 5-6).

Third, Jesus contrasts two sets of builders - the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24-27). The wise builder built his house upon the rock (cornerstone) – listening and faithfully obeying Jesus’ teaching (Matthew 7:24; see also James 1:22-25; James 2:20-22). The foolish builder built his house upon the sand – disobedience to Jesus and His teaching (Matthew 7:26-27). The storms of life (e.g., rain, floods, and winds) assaulted both houses. The house built upon the rock – obedience to Jesus and His teaching – withstood the storm (Matthew 7:25). However, the house built on the sand – disobedience and unfaithfulness to Jesus and His teaching – collapsed during the storm (Matthew 7:27).

The pathway that leads to life is a life of faithfulness and obedience to the teaching of Jesus and the commands of God (see Revelation 14:12; Revelation 22:14). According to respected theologian Dr. Mark Ross, “faith alone saves, but the faith which saves is never alone, but is ever accompanied by good works.” If we wish to enter into heaven (life), we must follow the narrow path of faithfulness and obedience to God and God’s Word that produces good fruit (Matthew 7:21; see also e.g., Mark 3:34-34; John 15:14; Galatians 5:22-23).

References

ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Ross, Mark E. Let’s Study Matthew (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2009).