The Mount of Healing: Matthew 15:29-31
“29) Departing from there, Jesus went along by the Sea of Galilee, and having gone up on the mountain, He was sitting there. 30) And large crowds came to Him, bringing with them those who were lame, crippled, blind, mute, and many others, and they laid them down at His feet; and He healed them. 31) So the crowd marveled as they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, and the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.” Matthew 15:29-31
There are a number of mountain experiences that mark key points in the ministry of Jesus. For example, there was the sermon on the mountain. (Matthew 5-7) There was the time of intercession on the mountain. (Matthew 14:23) Here we see healings on the mountain. (Matthew 15:29-31) Soon would come His transfiguration on the mountain. (Matthew 17:1-13) I am sure you can add more to this list.
What makes these healings on the mountain unique was that it was exceptionally difficult for the kinds of people he healed to get to Him. Many of them were lame, crippled and blind.
The text indicates that the crowd brought them. They had to put extra effort into their faith to reach him. He did not make it easy for them. It was not a convenient location. Many of them had to be carried. How far are you willing to carry someone so they can meet Jesus?
Another thing that stands out is that these were not healings that could be faked. These were not merely people with aches and pains. The healings were substantial and verifiable. “30) … they laid them down at His feet; and He healed them.”
The response of the crowd is noteworthy. 31) So the crowd marveled as they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, and the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.” They marveled and they glorified the God of Israel.
That last phrase is significant. Mark 7:31-8:10 hints that these miracles may have happened in the region of Decapolis. This was an area of ethnic blend. The lost sheep of Israel were mingling openly with the many gentiles in this area and religious practices were most likely a patchwork reflecting both Judaism and paganism.
Look at the result of the healings Jesus performed. The God of Israel got all of the attention and glory. This was monumental. Jesus was not only outshining the religious leaders of Israel, He was also obscuring the pagan gods of the gentiles.
We now learn an important lesson about biblical healings. Their primary purpose is to glorify God and advance the Gospel. It is self evident from these verses that the stories from the healings on the mountain that day spread far and wide. Jesus was headline news!
I cannot read these verses without thinking about Hebrews 2:1-4. God was confirming the message and ministry of Jesus with signs, wonders and miracles. Jesus was in a category all of His own!
Have you taken time to study the evidence supporting the person and works of Jesus Christ? As you weigh them all, you will begin to marvel. At some point you must move beyond being an agnostic related to the true identity of Jesus Christ.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
