HOST: Michael Whitworth
SPONSOR: Logos Bible Software
Jesus went on from there and walked beside the Sea of Galilee. And he went up on the mountain and sat down there. And great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and they put them at his feet, and he healed them, so that the crowd wondered, when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled healthy, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel.
Many commentators believe that this is the same occasion as yesterday’s reading. While Mark, writing to a Gentile audience, chooses to focus on one particular example of Jesus’ healing power (and that toward a Gentile), Matthew gives us the bigger picture of the many who came to Jesus for healing on that occasion and received it. As we have stated before, Jesus always had a purpose. Every word, every action, every teaching was carefully crafted to bring about God’s will and to fulfill His earthly purpose. So if not simply to restore health and life, what was His purpose in healing so many? I believe that this text states that purpose: “And they glorified the God of Israel.” Beyond His ultimate mission of becoming the perfect sacrifice for our sins, Jesus came to this world to bring glory to God, and that He did. Every word and action pointed to and illuminated God. He caused people to think about and see God in a different way than they had before. He renewed their faith and zeal. He gave them hope. And He calls us to do the same in our lives—to glorify God as we point people to Him. “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
How can we glorify God in our lives?
Don’t forget to pray and have a great day!