2 days in the life of Jesus

I was listening to an online message by a local pastor who highlighted 2 days in the life of Jesus as depicted in the Gospel of Matthew from chapters 5 to 9.

Matthew 4:23 shows us the ministry of Jesus from the very beginning.

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

He taught on the mountain as seen in Matthew 5 - 7.

And after he came down from the mountain, he touched and healed a leper who was among the crowds that followed him. (Matthew 8:1-4)

He entered Capernaum, and a centurion approached him to heal his servant who was paralysed and suffering terribly. Jesus admired the centurion for his great faith and healed the servant from afar, the very same hour the centurion approached him. (Matthew 8:5-13)

Jesus proceeded to Peter's house and found Peter's mother-in-law having fever. He touched her and the fever left, and she got up to serve them. (Matthew 8:14-15)

Evening brought many who were ill and demon-possessed and Jesus healed them all! (Matthew 8:16) This was in fulfillment of a prophecy about Jesus by the prophet Isaiah (Matthew 8:17; Isaiah 53:4)

Jesus was so tired he fell asleep on the boat as they were crossing to the other side. He was oblivious to the wind and rain till woken up by the disciples. He then commanded the winds and waves to stop, and they did.

When Jesus reached the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men approached causing a violent ruckus. Jesus delivered them. However, the town, instead of being grateful for the healing of these two, was upset that their pigs had been driven over the cliff by the spirits and pleaded with Jesus to leave. (Matthew 8:28-34)

Jesus left and crossed the river to go to his hometown. There the first thing He did was to heal a paralytic, brought by friends. (Matthew 9:1-4) Many were amazed at his authority, but there were some religious leaders who were unhappy as Jesus did not adhere to religious principles.

He then called Matthew the tax collector and taught (Matthew 9:5-17).

In the midst of his teaching, a ruler approached him to resurrect his daughter who had died. (Matthew 9:18)

On His way to a ruler's house, a woman with the issue of blood quietly approached Him, believing that she would be healed the moment she touched his cloak. However Jesus knew that power had flowed out of Him, turned around and saw her. She was healed instantly. (Matthew 9:19-22)

On reaching the ruler's house, He put out the funeral party and raised the little girl to life. (Matthew 9:23-25)

Jesus left and encountered 2 blind men, who followed Him till He went indoors. He restored their sight 'according to their faith' (Matthew 9:27-30).

On His way out, a demon-possessed man was brought to Him. He healed him and the man began to speak. (Matthew 9:32-33)

Again, Jesus' ministry was re-iterated in Matthew 9:35, echoing Matthew 4:23.

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.

He had compassion on the multitudes, and saw the need for more labourers. I believe He talked to Abba Father about this.

The next steps he took has implications for the church today. Matthew 10 delineates clearly the instructions for his disciples, and also for the church of today to take.

Matthew 10:1
He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

Each believer has the authority to do this today. When we go forth to show God's love and glory to the people, this is what Jesus instructs us to do, found in Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15-20. Power is given to us through the Holy Spirit as promised in Acts 1:8, and initially demonstrated in Acts 2:1-4, and of course throughout the whole book of Acts.

Praise God for His compassion for people in need, and His grace and wisdom for the church to meet those needs.

Jesus spend 3 years of His life demonstrating the power and glory as well as the love and compassion of God in teaching, preaching and healing every sickness and disease. You should do no less!!