Holy Boldness

Chapter 18 A uthority E xplained and D emonstrated

Matthew 8: 1 “When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.” Following the message of the Sermon, over the next two chapters, Matthew records a series of miraculous signs performed by Jesus that seem to progressively display his authority among men with simplicity and humility. The people recognized Jesus as having authority and they followed Him. He had passed His personal, private tests. He spoke clearly, simply, and with finality. He appealed to all men without needing to impress. Jesus displayed unknown confidence. He backed up His words with action. The people simply had not seen anyone walk with such authority ever. Power without fanfare was Jesus’ model of ministry. Jesus was not a showman. He lived from the essence. This simplicity gave life more meaning not less. Trying to embellish things has a way of robbing mankind of the dignity and glory God has purposed for His people. Simplicity leads to depth. Jesus came not only to serve the needs of others but to declare an alternative reality that most people were not experiencing. Everything He did had meaning because He was the incarnation of the word of God. And when they requested things of Him, they came bowing.

Healing a leper

This is the first specific, detailed recounting of a healing miracle of Jesus recorded in the New Testament and it reveals the power, the gen tleness, and the simplicity of Jesus’ style of ministry as well as his humble submission to the OT law.

And a leper came to Him and bowed down before Him and said, “Lord

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