Summer Reading: Gospel of Matthew, chapters 8-9


 "Encounter" mural by Daniel Cariola (Chile),  Duc In Altam, Magdala, Galilee. 

 Background: 

These two chapters are filled with healing stories, and we see that Jesus has power to heal all kinds of afflictions: leprosy, paralysis, fever, demons, bleeding, blindness, muteness, and even death. Equally significant will be to notice who gets healed: Jews and Gentiles, men and women, young and old, rich and poor, powerful and marginalized, those who are alone and those who have community. No one is outside the circle of holy healing. People who are out according to society are in with Jesus as he demonstrates the radical inclusion of the kingdom of heaven, which is probably a big part of the problem the religious leaders have with him. “...whenever God’s justice-love is at large in the world through acts of radical inclusivity, people’s needs are met, for the hospitality of God is infectious.”1 

We also have an example of Jesus being able to control nature (calming the storm, 8:23-27), somewhat reminiscent of Moses’s powers over nature. 


I always find it interesting to use a map when reading the Bible, to get a sense of where the borders are, since Jesus is always crossing them; and to see what travel is like when they have to navigate hilly terrain, large bodies of water, and desert. 


Key Themes: Jesus has power to heal (disease, illness, demons) and includes everyone in the healing. 


Questions: 

  • Think about a time you have prayed for healing for yourself or someone else. Do you feel “entitled” to that prayer being answered the way you want it to? Is it a matter of “deserving”, or does it feel like it happens despite not being deserving? 

  • How do you feel about Jesus blessing, healing, loving people you do not like or agree with? 


  1. Guest, Deryn, Robert E. Goss, Mona West, and Thomas Bohache, eds. Queer Bible Commentary, 2006, 513. 

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