I am a Jesus pusher!!! It is a summary (Matthew 4:23-25)! The focus is on three activities. They are preaching, teaching, and healing. Matthew understood the importance of these healing miracles. God is doing something new through Jesus. Therefore, the healing miracles VALIDATE HIS PERSON (who He is). He is sourced by God to usher in the Kingdom of God. This must be seen against the absolute void of miracle workers in His day. There was no parallel among the rabbis. Schlatter states, “In Palestinian Judaism of the time there were no workers of miracles, nor were there any who were honored as such.” Jesus did thousands of miracles. They created such a stir; Palestine and the surrounding region responded to His ministry. The Anointed One of God was among the people.
However, Jesus continually downplayed the spectacular aspect of these miracles. He constantly requested those receiving miracles not to tell anyone (Matthew 8:4; Mark 7:36; 8:26; 8:30). There were no theatrical activities to impress the crowds; there was no fixed pattern of action or words added to give drama to the healing. Jesus simply touched or gave a quiet word. He gave a simple command to an evil spirit. It was a private morning call to a “sleeping girl” (Matthew 9:25). A woman touched Him from behind (Matthew 9:21); He gave a word from a distance (Matthew 8:13). All was done naturally, informally, and simply. This bespeaks the very authority and character of His person. What could He speak into your life? I am a listening Jesus pusher!!!