Matthew 10:1, not all disease is a demonic attack

Some people would argue that every disease is a result of a demonic attack.  I would disagree.  I would say that disease (which is a form of death) is a result of sin, and specifically, sin having entered the world through the fall.  That is not to say that every disease is a result of a person’s sin… but sin as much as it is a separation from God.  A separation from God that needs to be bridged through Christ.

In Matthew 10:1 we read, “And when he had called unto [him] his twelve disciples, he gave them power [against] unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” (bold mine)

Getting through the Tolls

Recently we took a day trip to the Statue of Liberty.  It meant paying to park the car in the lot so we could get on the ferry.  After we paid we got a ticket as a receipt.  I put the ticket in my shirt pocket.

When we left we got back on the toll road, got a ticket at the booth, I put it in my shirt pocket and proceeded to the next exit.

All would have been well if I didn’t try to give my parking ticket to the toll booth attendant!

Of course, it was an accident, and a little embarrassing, but it reminded me of something…

Upon this rock…

The Gospel of Matthew is for us all.  However, when it was first written it was clearly written for the Jews.  It’s main goal is to present Jesus as the Messiah of the Jews.  So it is with great care we need to look at the passage that has caused so much division between Christians.

Jesus looks at Peter and says, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”  Matthew 16:18

What was He saying?  Why did He say it?  And what happened to make Him say it?  The answers to these three questions unlock the verse for us.