Dr. Terry Threadwell's Blog

And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.  Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;  Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;  Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.  “But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  “And as you go, preach, saying,`The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’  “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. (Mat 10:1-8 NKJ)

Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (Luk 10:17-20 NKJ)

In Matthews gospel, we read about the twelve being sent out, and in Luke, it’s seventy.  Anointed to work the works of God. Luke tells us that they came back amazed that the demonic forces responded to them, in Jesus’ name. Jesus puts their boasting in context by telling them that he ‘saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.’

The priority for Jesus, however, is not that the demons are kicked out, but that your name is found on the guest list. When you see it written down, rejoice.

While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.” So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples. And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him. But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. (Mat 9:18-25 NKJ)

But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves. (Mal 4:2 NKJ)

Two stories both requesting healing, both needing faith. First, the woman with the issue of blood.  She knew the prophetic word, that Messiah would come with healing in his wings.  The wings were the four longer tassels on a prayer shawl.  Even though she was ceremonially unclean, she pressed in. Jesus’ response in Luke was ‘who touched me?’ Crowds surrounded him, but only one person touched him expecting to receive something in return.

In the meantime, Jarius had come requesting Jesus come and lay hands on his sick daughter. Circumstances got in the way, and by the time Jesus arrived the daughter had died.  In Luke’s gospel we read, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.”  55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately.”  (Luk 8:50-55 NKJ)

Time is meaningless to God, just keep faith alive.

“No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse.  “Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”  (Mat 9:16-17 NKJ)

Does anyone apart from me remember how agile, and flexible you were when you were younger? Now it seems that the body doesn’t quite move as fast or as agile.  Most of the pains and aches I feel are because of the dumb stuff I did when I was younger. The temptation might be to sit back and adopt a more sedentary lifestyle.  However, you know that is not the best option and that we might be better pushing ourselves a little harder.

Spiritually, it’s the same. The things we were taught years ago change, we get a different perspective or greater understanding. However, if we’re not careful, accepting new ideas, thoughts or concepts can become hard to accept.  God starts doing a ‘new thing,’ and we’re happy with the old.

If we want to be used by God, we need to remain soft, supple and adaptable.  Always ready to go with the flow of God’s Spirit and not hard an immovable.  The church that tries to accommodate the old and the new might lose the new wine when the wineskins burst.

Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. “But go and learn what this means: `I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Mat 9:10-13 NKJ)

In Jesus’ day, the breaking of bread, the fellowship was far less formal. Those who saw their need came to Jesus, sat down, shared a meal and listened intently. Confessing their need, God set about the process of change—Matthew was a prime example. For Jesus, it was more inclusive; whosoever were invited.

As the centuries passed, it became less about fellowship and more about religion.  Actually, that’s what the Pharisees were looking for. We gave it names like Communion, Eucharist, and the Lord’s Supper.  We excluded the tax-collectors and sinners until they had changed and become part of the inner circle, the catechized.

Jesus was more concerned about meeting people where they were and taking them to where he wanted them to be. Mercy is better than sacrifice.  We could learn so much more if we followed Jesus’ example.

Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.” And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? “For which is easier, to say, `Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, `Arise and walk ‘? “But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins “– then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” And he arose and departed to his house. Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men. (Mat 9:2-8 NKJ)

Jesus always got to the root of the problem.  In this case, there appears to be some issue or link to the man’s sinful condition.  Other times it has been because of demonic activity, or that the person was just sick.  Either way, he always had the words that brought life. The scribes, on the other hand, had no solution.  They were more concerned about the letter of the law.

It’s amazing how the Apostle Paul and the writer to the Hebrews talk about running the race of life with our eyes on the prize. (1 Co. 9:24; 2 Tim. 4:7; Heb. 12:1) Other verses talk about life being a walk, in terms of the quality and content of our faith. But the Matthew text shows us the effects of sin—debilitating. Stand up and walk away.

When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way.  And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding. So the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.” And He said to them, “Go.” So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water. Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region. (Mat 8:28-34 NKJ)

You might be expecting the moral of this devotion to be about the demon-possessed man, and the deliverance for a ‘Legion’ of demons is no small matter. Luke 11:24-25 warns us about cleaning house, and leaving it empty.  The demonic powers multiply and come back even stronger.

Gergesenes was a gentile region, but the swine were owned by the Jews. The demons, having been evicted from what was an unclean house, seem to know that pigs are regarded as unclean and want to find their new abode there.  Pigs were better than no home at all. However, the pigs then charge head-long straight into the water.  The people reaction is not one of rejoicing that the man was now free.  They were concerned that they had lost their pigs.

The owners of the pigs could not charge Jesus for the loss, because they should not have owned the pigs in the first place. If they did make a public complaint, they could not do it with glorifying God and recognizing Jesus as coming from God.

And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” (Mat 8:24-27 NKJ)

This story appears in all three synoptic gospels, and in Mark, we read, “On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” (Mar 4:35 NKJ) Jesus clearly knew where he was going and fully expected his disciples to take control of the situation while he took a nap.

Storms on the Sea of Galilee were not uncommon. High mountains, narrow valleys, and a wide body of water was the perfect combination for a storm, but several of the disciples were fishermen, trained and equipped. The third reason they should have had faith was the fact that they had been singing those old songs, boasting about it.

“LORD, the floods have raised up– the floods have raised up their voices; the floods raise up a roar! But mightier than the sound of much water, mightier than the sea’s waves, mighty on high is the LORD! Your laws are so faithful. Holiness decorates your house, LORD, for all time.” (Psa 93:3-94:1 CEB)

“Who is like you, LORD God of heavenly forces? Mighty LORD, your faithfulness surrounds you! You rule over the surging sea: When its waves rise up, it’s you who makes them still.” (Psa 89:8-9 CEB)

Still, fear overtook their faith, and it took the Lord to come into their storm and bring peace. You see, we can know the Word, sing the songs, but it’s a demonstration of faith in action that changes the outcome.

Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.  (Mat 8:14-15 NKJ)

Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. But Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them. When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. (Luk 4:38-40 NKJ)

If I was looking for a title for this devotion, it would be, ‘Power of the Presence.’ John tells us in John 7:38, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.'” (NAS) The power of God’s presence doesn’t just bubble around on the inside but overflows around and about us.  We see in the story of Moses, as he came down the mountain, that the presence of God was all over him.  We read, “Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. (Exo 34:29-30 NKJ)

As for Peter’s mother-in-law, Matthews says that Jesus touched her, while Luke tells us he leaned over her.  Either way, the fever left her and immediately she was well.  We often don’t realize the full potential that we bring, after all, nobody shows up to a party empty-handed.

Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. “For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, `Go,’ and he goes; and to another, `come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, `Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! “And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. “But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour. (Mat 8:5-13 NKJ)

This text in Matthew can be somewhat problematic. The centurion wasn’t just any Roman soldier; he was a battle-hardened, an educated career soldier, his allegiance to Rome unwavering and his appointment was approved by the Emperor.  This was a hard life, often leading his men from the front meant that many died in battle.

Many of these young men had no real family, in fact, Emperor Augustine forbade marriage. Soldiers would then revert to using female and male slaves for their personal gratification. This may have been the case here in Matthews gospel.

Matthew doesn’t use the traditional word for servant, doulos. Instead, he uses the Greek word pais.  Pais does not mean “servant.” It means “lover.” Greek historian Thucydides, in Plutarch, in countless Greek sources, pais refers to the junior partner in a same-sex relationship. Now, this is not exactly a partnership of equals.  However, we should not read too much into this story, as Jesus neither affirms or condemns the centurion’s lifestyle. Instead, his focus is upon the man’s faith.

The centurion didn’t need Jesus to come to his home; he knew that when Jesus spoke, as one with power and authority, it would be done. Jesus, responds, “I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!”

The centurion wouldn’t be the kind of person you would expect Jesus to minister to, and yet Jesus saw beyond the issues and saw great faith. Perhaps we should do the same?

When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” (Mat 8:1-4 NKJ)

`Or if he touches human uncleanness– whatever uncleanness with which a man may be defiled, and he is unaware of it– when he realizes it, then he shall be guilty. (Lev 5:3 NKJ)

“He shall be unclean. All the days he has the sore he shall be unclean. He is unclean, and he shall dwell alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp. (Lev 13:46 NKJ)

Being in the presence of a leper was strictly forbidden, and touching a leper made you unclean.  Jesus wasn’t concerned with the law, knowing as he did what the outcome would be and that the man came with an attitude of worship.  Mark says that the Leper fell to his knees, Luke says he fell on his face. Either way, according to Mark, Jesus had compassion.

Jesus commands him to tell nobody, but go to a priest and offer the sacrifice required by the law.  Mark’s gospel says, “As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.” (Mar 1:42 NKJ) Ignoring what Jesus said, the man broadcast his healing far and wide.  So much so that Jesus could not minister and had to go outside the city.

Leprosy in the Bible is sometimes associated with sin.  Jesus cleanses us from sin when we put our faith in him.  However, the continued victory in our lives requires more than just telling a good story; it requires obedience.