Matthew 8:1 says, When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.  Jesus at times removed Himself from the multitudes, but then He would go into the midst of them again.  We may need time to remove ourselves from the pressures of the world, but ultimately we have to get back into the midst of the world.  We cannot simply withdraw and hope to reach the lost.  Verse two says, And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.  This leper, one who could not even be touched by normal people, came to Jesus in faith.  No matter how unclean a person may be, they can always come to Jesus for cleansing and healing.  Verse three states, And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.  Touching a leper made a person spiritually unclean under the law, but Jesus not only touched the leper, but He healed him as well.  The leper had to have faith in the healing power of Jesus to be healed, just as we must have faith in the healing power of Jesus to be spiritually healed.  There was no delay in the healing of the leper.  I believe that when God heals a person, physically or spiritually, that it begins with faith in His ability to do so.  The leper did not come to Jesus asking what he had to do or even if it were possible for him to be saved.  He came by faith stating that he knew Jesus could heal him.  Verse four says, And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.  Jesus gave the man, who was no longer a leper, instructions to follow.  In this case, it was to not tell anyone what had happened.  I believe this was for two reasons.  One was that Jesus did not want people to follow Him simply for material reasons, and a physical healing would be one such reason.  Jesus still does not want people to follow Him simply for material reasons.  Second, Jesus did not come for the purpose of blessing people materially.  This has to do with the purpose of Jesus coming and not with the perception of those around Him.  Jesus came to bring everlasting spiritual restoration to anyone who will put their faith in Him, and not for a temporary physical healing.

Matthew 7:24 says, Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  Here, Jesus distinguishes between just hearing His word and doing His word.  We might say that this means that if we are going to talk the talk, then we must walk the walk.  It is not enough to simply claim to follow Christ without living by faith in what He teaches us.  Jesus says that those who keep His sayings are like wise men who build their houses on the rock, or a firm foundation.  There is no other foundation that we can build our lives on but the foundation of Christ, if we want our house to stand.  Jesus is our Rock.  Verse twenty-five declares, And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.  Jesus did not say if the rain and winds come but when they did come.  If we are going to withstand the storms of life today, then our lives must be founded on our faith in Christ.  When we build our lives on our faith in Christ, nothing can ever tear us away from Him.  Verse twenty-six declares, And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:  This is the only other possibility.  Either we hear and do the will of Christ through faith in the salvation He offers, or we hear and do not believe.  Then, when we do not believe, or follow the teachings of Christ we are like foolish men who build their houses on the sand.  Just like them, we have no foundation if we are not building on our faith in the rock of Christ.  Verse twenty-seven states, And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.  When a person builds on a foundation that is not solid, then when the storms come there is a very good likelihood that the building will not stand, no matter how impressive it might be.  When we attempt to build our religious lives on any foundation other than faith in Jesus as our Savior and Lord, then they will ultimately crash.  Jesus also said that the fall was great.  There can be no greater fall in life than the one that comes from rejecting Christ as the Rock that we build our lives on.  Verse twenty-eight says, And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:  We are told that people were astonished as the teachings of Jesus, and I believe they still are today.  Some write His teachings off all together, some say that He was another prophet, but those who put their faith in Him know the truth.  This is stated in verse twenty-nine which says, For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.  Jesus is indeed the One Who can teach with authority, and is the only Rock upon which we can build anything of lasting importance.

Matthew 7:15 says, Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  There are many false prophets, or preachers and teachers, in the world today.  They proclaim another way to God other than by faith in Christ alone.  Some proclaim other gods, and some proclaim a modified gospel, adding to what is necessary to be saved, which is to be restored to a right relationship with God.  Anytime someone adds anything to the way to salvation other than Jesus Christ, crucified, resurrected, and Lord, then they are false prophets.  They may look like sheep, but they are really ravenous wolves.  We may be accused of being close minded by proclaiming that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, but this is one principal that cannot be compromised.  Verse sixteen says, Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  The only way that we as followers of Christ can bear fruit is by leading others to faith in Him as their Savior and Lord.  If we try to bear fruit by any other method, it will not be the fruit of the Holy Spirit.  Verse seventeen declares, Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  Jesus tells us that the good tree brings forth good fruit.  Jesus did not say that the good tree might possibly bring forth good fruit, but that it will bring forth good fruit.  Jesus expects us to be fruitful in reaching the lost world with His gospel.  By proclaiming the gospel of Christ alone can we bear fruit for Him.  Those who are rooted in any other religion or who add to salvation through Christ cannot bear good fruit.  Verse eighteen states, A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  Jesus tells us that if we are rooted in our faith in Him, if we are a good tree, then we cannot bring forth evil fruit.  If we are truly saved by faith in Christ, then we should be led by the Holy Spirit and will always proclaim Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation, which is the good fruit.  If someone bases their belief on anything other than salvation through Christ alone, then the can only bring forth evil fruit.  Verse nineteen declares, Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  This may not happen in this lifetime, but anyone who looks for salvation by any means other than by faith in Christ will ultimately be hewn down and cast into the fire.  Verse twenty states, Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  Jesus tells us that we will be known by our fruits, so we have to ask what fruit are we bearing for Him.  I believe that as long as we are living by the leadership of the Holy Spirit and proclaiming Christ to the world that we are bearing fruit for Him, even if we don't always know it.  Verse twenty-one declares, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  This does not mean that someone who truly accepts Jesus and Savior and Lord will not go to heaven, but means that some who profess to follow Jesus do not truly put their faith in Him alone.  When we truly follow Jesus, we will do the will of the heavenly Father.  Verse twenty-two says, Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  This implies that some people are going to be surprised when they are not admitted to heaven.  They will speak of the works they have done in Jesus' name, but salvation does not come from works, but from a relationship with Jesus Christ.  No matter how many good works we may do, if they are not done under the leadership of the Holy Spirit through our relationship with Jesus Christ, they are of no benefit to us spiritually.  Verse twenty-three says, And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  Just because a person proclaims to know Christ and does good things does not mean that person has a real relationship with Him.  We will be judged by our relationship with Christ, and nothing else.  Being a good person is not enough.

Matthew 8:5 says, And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,  Jesus was traveling about.  He was going to the people around Him.  While doing so, a centurion, or soldier came to Him.  As we follow Christ today, we must be ready to meet people around us who may have a need.  Though our priority is to share the gospel, we must be willing to help meet their pressing physical needs if possible.  This does not mean that we can meet all the needs of all people at all times, but if someone comes to us in distress, then we must care enough to listen to them and do whatever God enables us to do to help them.  Jesus did not judge the cenrturion, but took the time to really listen to him.  Verse six says, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.  The centurion had a great need and he came to Jesus to share that need.  When we as followers of Christ have a great need in our lives today, the first thing we need to do is bring that need to Jesus.  Fortunately, unlike the centurion, we do not have to physically go to Jesus, because He is already with us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, if we are His followers by faith.  The centurion was not there for spiritual healing for himself, but for a physical healing for his servant.  He was concerned for his servant's health.  The centurion had more faith in the ability of Jesus than most of those who called themselves God's people did.  We must not allow that to be the case with us today as followers of Christ.  Verse seven states, And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.  Jesus offered to go and heal the servant.  I believe that God already stands willing to meet our needs when we come to Him in faith.   Verse eight states, The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.  The centurion recognized his own unworthiness.  Even as followers of Christ today, we are unworthy of His presence in our lives, but fortunately His presence is not dictated by our worthiness, but by our faith.  Verse nine says, For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.  The centurion, as a man in position of power, did not have to physically go somewhere to have his orders, or will, to be done, and he recognized that Jesus had that same authority.  We should never limit the power and ability of Christ.  Verse ten declares, When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.  Jesus marvelled at the faith of the centurion, which He said was greater than He had found in anyone in Israel, God's chosen people.  We need to have a faith that Jesus marvels at today, especially as followers of Christ.  Verse eleven declares, And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.  Jesus said that people from all over the world would come to Him, and that is what we need to understand today.  God values all people, and Christ died for all people everywhere.  All anyone has to do is come to Him in faith.  This is why we who are not of the Jewish faith have salvation made available through Christ.  Verse twelve says, But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  This does not mean that everyone born into the Jewish faith is doomed, but that those who refuse to accept Jesus as the Messiah will be.  Anyone relying on who they are by fact of their birth, and not on faith in Christ, will be cast out of the kingdom of God.  Verse thirteen states, And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.  The centurion had faith in the power of Jesus, and that faith was rewarded.  We need to have that same type faith.

Matthew 7:7 says, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:  We often hear this verse used to claim that Jesus tells us that we can have whatever we want if we only ask for and seek it.  When we do, then the door will be open for us to get anything we really desire.  I believe that this really has to do with seeking and finding God's will for our lives, and not with seeking and finding material things.  If we first seek and find God's will, then we will not be concerned with the material things of life.  Following Christ has never been about gaining material things, but has only promised us a cross to take up daily.  Verse eight states, For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.  Once more, I do not believe that Jesus was speaking about material things, but was instead speaking about knowing and being empowered to follow God's will for our lives.  Verse nine asks, Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?  Jesus is still referring to asking, knocking and receiving.  He asks us if our son asks us for bread would we instead give him a stone.  This would indeed be a cruel action on our part.  Verse ten then asks, Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?  Once more, Jesus is asking if our son came to us in need, asking for a fish or food, if we would not only fail to help him but would seek to further harm him as well, giving him a serpent.  Then verse eight asks, If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?  Jesus asks if we who are evil know how to give good gifts to our children, then how much more will the heavenly Father give to those who are His children.  Again, this has to do with meeting needs, bread and fish, and not with making the son rich in material things.  Verse twelve states, Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.  We often hear this stated as do unto others as they do unto you, but it goes beyond that.  We are to do unto others not just as they do unto us, but as we would want them to do unto us.  This I believe implies our thoughts about how we want others to act, and not just their actions toward us.  Verse thirteen declares, Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  I believe that Jesus was calling on people to put their faith in Him, because He is not only the straight gate, but He is the only gate to the heavenly Father.  We cannot come to a right relationship with God any other way.  There are many paths to destruction, some even called religions, and many people find them, but there is but one gate to God.  That gate is faith in  Jesus Christ, crucified, resurrected, and Lord.  Verse fourteen adds, Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  It is our responsibility as followers of Christ to point lost people to this straight gate, which as already stated is faith in Christ.

Matthew 7:1 say, Judge not, that ye be not judged.  I believe that this means that we are not to be judgmental.  It is easy to stand back and point out the faults of others and to feel justified in condemning them.  I don't believe that this means that we can never distinguish between right and wrong actions, but instead that we are not to judge the person who does wrong as deserving God's punishment and not God's grace and mercy.  If we judge the actions of others, it should be out of love for them, and never from an attitude of moral superiority, where we deserve God's forgiveness and someone else doesn't.  Verse two declares, For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.  If we judge others as only being worthy of punishment and not forgiveness, then Jesus tells us that we will be judged the same.  I believe that this is because if we are truly following Christ that we know that God is the judge of all people, and that we ourselves are but sinners saved by grace.  As such, we are not qualified to act as the judge of someone else's sin.  We are to point out sin in the world and stand against it, but we are never to judge any sinner, no matter how great his or her sin, as being undeserving of forgiveness.  Verse three asks, And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?   Jesus asks us why we can so easily see the smallest sin in others and not acknowledge the much larger sin in our own lives.  By the very fact that we are attempting to judge the worthiness of others, we are placing ourselves in a position of moral superiority, and only God can claim this position.  Verse four asks, Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?  Jesus is asking why we would notice and offer to help correct the faults of others and ignore correcting our own faults.  Sometimes it is easier to sit in judgment and condemnation of others than it is to acknowledge our own faults.  If this occurs, then we begin to feel morally superior to the other person.  Verse five declares, Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.  Jesus tells us when we do judge the actions of others without first examining and correcting the faults in our own lives that we are hypocrites.  As long as we are unwilling to confess and ask God's forgiveness for the sins in our lives, we are certainly not to point out the sins in another person's life as though we are better than them.  Jesus also says that once we have removed the sin from our own lives that we can then help the other person.  Verse six says, Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.  I believe that Jesus is warning us against misusing the things belonging to God.  This would even include our own bodies, since as followers of Christ we belong to God.  If we do give the things that God blesses us with, our pearls, to those who are not God's people, the swine, then we should not be surprised if they ultimately attack us.  We should never attempt to buy peace with the lost world, but should always put following God's will for our lives first.

Matthew 6:26 says, Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?  Jesus tells us to look at the birds of the air.  Birds don't sow, or reap or gather crops into barns, or storage.  Jesus tells us that the heavenly Father feeds them.  Some people would say the is just mother nature that does this, but it we are followers of Christ, then we now that it is much more than just a random act.  We have to acknowledge that God sustains the universe that He created.  Then, Jesus asks if we are not better than the birds.  If God provides food for the birds, then we should know that He will do the same for us.  I don't believe that this means that we are to just sit back and do nothing, but that we are to have faith that if we are doing God's will, then we don't have to worry about food or any other material thing.  God will provide for our needs if we put Him first.  Verse twenty-seven asks, Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?  I believe that the emphasis here is that God creates our bodies to be a certain size, and we cannot make ourselves grow any taller than we are created to be.  We may be able to make ourselves larger, or even to stunt our growth from what it would be, but we cannot make ourselves taller.  Just like spending time or thought to make ourselves taller is a waste, so is worrying about what we will eat or wear.  Verse twenty-eight asks, And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:  As I just stated, we are not to worry about our raiment, or clothing.  Jesus tells us to consider the lilies of the field.  Like the birds, they do not labor and toil, nor do they spin cloth to array themselves in.  Verse twenty-nine declares, And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  Jesus tells us that Solomon in all his glory, dressed in his finest, was not arrayed as beautifully as the lilies.  Verse thirty says, Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?  Jesus asks if God can provide even for the grass of the field, which is here one day and gone the next, then why do we as God's people lack the faith to rely on God to meet our needs.  Verse thirty-one says, Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  I believe that this means that we are not to be worried about these things, but are to live in the faith that God will provide them.  Verse thirty-two states, (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  Jesus tells us that the Gentiles, those who were not God's people, sought after these things, or we might say put there emphasis on material things.  Though we may have been Gentiles in the days of Jesus, through faith in Christ as Savior and Lord we are now a part of God's family.  As such, Jesus tells us that the heavenly Father knows our needs, even before we ask.  Verse thirty-three states, But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Jesus tells us to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness first.  This means we are to put God above everything else.  When we do, God will meet all our physical or material needs.  Verse thirty-four states, Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.  We might say that this is a fiscally irresponsible way to live, but Jesus tells us to not worry about these material things but to rely on God to provide for our needs.  We never know what day will be our last, so we are not to worry about the evils of tomorrow, but are to simply live by faith each day.