Following Jesus When He Will Not Make It Easy
Matthew 8:18–34
Jesus sees the crowd before He talks to the scribe. That matters. The crowd is growing. Interest is piqued. Momentum is building. This is the point when many teachers water down their words to keep people nearby. Jesus does the opposite. “Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side” ~Matthew 8:18. He creates distance before He tests devotion.
A scribe steps forward and speaks boldly. “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go” ~Matthew 8:19. He offers enthusiasm. He offers availability. He offers words. Jesus does not call the man’s sincerity into question. He points out what it would actually cost. “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head” ~Matthew 8:20. Following Jesus is not presented as spiritual fulfillment or purpose. It is presented as loss of comfort, loss of security, and loss of control. Jesus refuses to recruit men under false expectations.
Another disciple speaks next, but he is not as bold as the previous one. “Lord, let me first go and bury my father” ~Matthew 8:21. The request sounds reasonable. It sounds respectful. It sounds responsible. Jesus replies with words that cut into the flesh like a knife. “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead” ~Matthew 8:22. He is not devaluing honor. He is exposing delay. The call of Christ does not compete with lesser claims. It overrides them. When Jesus calls, obedience is not delayed until life becomes convenient.
The scene changes from words to water. “And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him” ~Matthew 8:23. The ones who remained got into the boat. Following now has a destination. It has motion. It has danger. A storm comes that threatens their very lives. “Save us, Lord; we are perishing” ~Matthew 8:25. These are not the cries of unbelievers. These are disciples. Fear has not driven them away from Jesus, but it has exposed how little they trust Him. Jesus responds with a rebuke before a miracle. “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” ~Matthew 8:26. The issue is not the storm. The issue is their perspective of who is in the boat with them.
Jesus then rebukes the winds and the sea, and immediately it is totally calm ~Matthew 8:26. Power responds to fear. Authority silences chaos. The disciples ask the right question, but too late. “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” ~Matthew 8:27. They got into the boat with Him without fully reckoning with who He is. Awe comes after deliverance.
On the other side, the confrontation is immediate and violent. “Two demon-possessed men met him among the tombs. They were so savage that no one could pass that way” ~Matthew 8:28. The demons meet Jesus before the townspeople ever do. “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” ~Matthew 8:29. Hell knows who Jesus is. Darkness knows judgment is coming. The demons beg. Jesus utters one word. “Go” ~Matthew 8:32. Authority does not argue. It commands.
The herd of pigs rushes down a steep place into the sea and dies ~Matthew 8:32. The herdsmen rush to the city and tell everything ~Matthew 8:33. The whole city comes out to see Jesus. This is the point where repentance could begin. Instead, “when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region” ~Matthew 8:34. They would rather experience economic loss explained away than spiritual authority confronted. Jesus delivers the oppressed, displays His power, and is asked to leave.
One question keeps getting pressed in different ways throughout this passage. Will you follow Jesus when comfort is stripped away, when timing is interrupted, when fear arises, and when His authority offends what you hold most dear? The scribe wanted adventure without sacrifice. The disciple wanted delay without disobedience. The twelve wanted safety without trust. The city wanted peace without Christ. Jesus does not adjust Himself to any of them.
He does not yet.
Genesis 24:52-26:16
Matthew 8:18-34
Psalm 10:1-15
Proverbs 3:7-8
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The wicked’s modus operandi is the opposite of what God demands (Deuteronomy 25:1).
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. ~ Proverbs 3:7-8
New Testament: Matthew 8:18-34
Summary:
The Cost of Following Jesus
Jesus Calms a Storm
Jesus Heals Two Men with Demons
And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” ~ Matthew 8:20
Overview: Matthew 1-13 – Click Here
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