Podcast Summary: Deepen with Pastor Joby Martin

Episode: What Jesus’ Miracles Are Really Pointing To (Matthew S3E1)

Date: March 23, 2026
Host: Pastor Joby Martin
Special Guest: Pastor Oni (originally from Botswana, on staff at Church of Eleven22)

Overview

This episode dives deep into the miracles of Jesus as recorded in Matthew’s Gospel, specifically focusing on what they reveal about the kingdom of God and Jesus’ purpose. Through thoughtful exposition and lively discussion, Pastor Joby Martin, Pastor Oni, and their team explore the link between Jesus’ teachings and actions, the theological underpinnings of healing and restoration, and the ever-present call for believers to embrace a deeper relationship with God. The conversation traverses biblical history, the fulfillment of Old Testament law, practical faith today, and personal experiences with the miraculous.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. From Teaching to Action in Matthew

• Transition in Matthew’s Gospel (04:27–06:46)
  • Matthew’s structure moves from Jesus’ teaching with authority (the Sermon on the Mount) into action—His miracles.
  • Quote [05:45, Pastor Joby]:
    “Miracles always have a message. They're never random. He's not just flexing… So part of the thing you should try to look through in the miracles is what does this say about the kingdom of heaven?”
• The miracles demonstrate the authority of Jesus and are the fulfillment of Old Testament messianic prophecy.

2. Jesus’ Miracles: Compassion and Restoration

• Healing the Leper: More Than Physical (07:15–10:16)

  • Context on the social and spiritual isolation of lepers paralleled with today’s brokenness and loneliness.
  • Quote [09:43, Pastor Oni]:
    “When Jesus touches him, it's not just a healing of body... the touching also communicates a healing of identity, a human dignity if you will.”

• The act of touching affirms the leper’s worth and foreshadows a wider restoration.

• Restoration to Community and Theology from Leviticus (10:35–13:38)

  • Old Testament rituals in Leviticus (two birds, scarlet thread, blood, and oil) are seen as a blueprint pointing to Christ’s finished work.
  • Quote [12:23, Pastor Joby]:
    “Leviticus 14 is another picture of the verdict comes before the performance... gospel lights flashing all over the place.”

• Inclusiveness of God’s Grace (13:58–15:16)

  • God’s atonement is accessible to all, regardless of status or ability to pay—a foreshadowing of the gospel.

3. Authority, Obedience, and Lordship

• Jesus’ Authority and Submission (16:16–18:19)
  • Jesus upholds the temple system until the new covenant is fulfilled.
  • The importance of obedience to God’s ways, even in things we don’t understand.
  • Quote [19:04, Pastor Joby]: “If you have to understand why before you do, you are not obeying. You are asking God to convince you… If you don't trust God, you're not saved.”

4. Faith of the Outsider: The Roman Centurion

• A Model of Faith and Authority (21:10–23:35)

  • The centurion’s perspective as a man under authority resonates with Jesus.
  • Quote [22:16, Pastor Joby]:
    “In fact, I know who you are, and I know who I am in light of who you are... I need you.”

• Jesus marvels at the faith that humbly recognizes his authority, regardless of religious background.

  • Quote [23:34, Pastor Oni]:
    “But you will bow… The question is, Lord of what? He’ll either be Lord of your salvation… or the Lord of your judgment.”

• The Global Scope of Salvation (24:31–32:36)

  • Jesus’ miracles and teachings affirm God’s heart for all nations.
  • Firm rejection of “replacement theology”; emphasizing “grafted-in” biblical language.

5. Miracles, Demonic Oppression, and the Realities of the Fall

• Spiritual and Physical Realms Intertwined (33:12–35:27)

  • The Gospels frequently pair physical sickness and demonic oppression.
  • All suffering and sickness, at minimum, are collateral damage of the fall.

• Bitterness, Responsibility, and Spiritual Warfare (35:31–41:10)

  • Bitterness and unforgiveness ferment and manifest physically and spiritually.
  • Quote [36:27, Pastor Oni]:
    “You're drinking your own poison, hoping other people are going to die.”
  • God calls for personal responsibility and repentance, regardless of circumstances.

• The Slipperiness of Sin: What You Get Into, Gets Into You (39:30–41:10)

  • Sin entangles—examples include addiction, unforgiveness, and idolatry.
  • Quote [41:10, Pastor Joby]:
    “The moment you bet more than you thought you should… there's something in you. You got into it, it got into you.”

6. The Supernatural and the Authority of Jesus Recognized by Demons

• Demons Know Who Jesus Is (42:18–43:59)

  • Demons recognize and fear Jesus’s authority before religious leaders do.
  • Quote [42:42, Pastor Joby]:
    “They're playing in a different realm... There's no pretense here. They know who he is and they've known who he was since they got cast out like lightning, bro.”

• Miracles Disrupt the Status Quo (47:38–49:43)

  • Some prefer comfort over true change, even in the face of miracles.

7. The Awe of Miracles and Expectation

• Experiencing God’s Power: “Trembling Joy” (53:21–54:50)

  • The unmistakable awe that comes when God intervenes miraculously.
  • Quote [53:21, Pastor Oni]:
    “I think of it as trembling joy... there is this reverence of the supernatural, the God of the universe, and this joy that He. He does this. He enters into humanity…”

• Guarding Against Familiarity (54:50–56:03)

  • The challenge not to become numb to God’s constant work and testimony in the community.
  • Quote [54:50, Pastor Joby]: “We can get so close to it here and what God’s decided to do here that we can grow accustomed to what we should be in awe of.”

8. Encouragement in Waiting/Unanswered Prayers

• Healing May Not Always Look Like We Expect (56:52–60:58)

  • Not all prayers are answered as desired; some healing is immediate, some a process, some not until eternity.
  • Quote [59:51, Pastor Joby]:
    “All the healings and miracles are temporary besides salvation... If the motivation of your prayer for healing is comfort, you really want to check that.”
  • The ultimate healing and restoration is found in Christ’s presence, not just physical answers.

• The Power of Faithful Presence and Testimony (61:34–63:42)

  • Testimonies from those enduring hardship—such as a wheelchair-bound congregant—can be more impactful than dramatic healing.
  • Quote [63:42, Pastor Joby]:
    “Even if your only ministry is to encourage the pastor, not a lot of people get to do that ministry around here… God is marveling at you tonight and your ministry of faithfulness to just show up and want to be here.”

Memorable Quotes & Highlights (with Timestamps)

• “Miracles always have a message. They're never random... So part of the thing you should try to look through in the miracles is what does this say about the kingdom of heaven?”
  — Pastor Joby [05:45]

• “When Jesus touches him, it's not just a healing of body... but the touching also communicates a healing of identity, a human dignity if you will.”
  — Pastor Oni [09:43]

• “Leviticus 14 is another picture of the verdict comes before the performance… gospel lights flashing all over the place.”
  — Pastor Joby [12:23]

• “If you have to understand why before you do, you are not obeying.”
  — Pastor Joby [19:04]

• “You will not bend your knee to Jesus until the need outpaces the ego. But when it does, you will.”
  — Pastor Joby [22:16]

• “But you will bow… The question is, Lord of what? He’ll either be Lord of your salvation… or the Lord of your judgment.”
  — Pastor Oni [23:34]

• “You're drinking your own poison, hoping other people are going to die.”
  — Pastor Oni [36:27]

• “What you started to get into began to get into you.”
  — Pastor Joby [41:10]

• “Demons were always the first to recognize Jesus for who he is, and the religious leaders are the last…”
  — Pastor Joby [43:59]

• “I think of it as trembling joy. There is this reverence of the supernatural, the God of the universe, and this joy that He does this.”
  — Pastor Oni [53:21]

• “We can get so close to it here… that we can grow accustomed to what we should be in awe of.”
  — Pastor Joby [54:50]

• “All the healings and miracles are temporary besides salvation.”
  — Pastor Joby [59:51]

• “Even if your only ministry is to encourage the pastor… God is marveling at you tonight and your ministry of faithfulness to just show up and want to be here.”
  — Pastor Joby [63:42]

Notable Timed Segments

• Matthew’s Teaching/Action Structure: 04:27
• Healing the Leper & Identity: 06:46–09:43
• Leviticus and Ceremony Fulfilled in Christ: 10:35–13:38
• The Roman Centurion’s Faith and Authority: 21:10–23:35
• Bitterness and Responsibility: 35:31–38:41
• Supernatural Testimonies: 50:09–53:21
• Encouragement for Unanswered Prayer: 56:52–63:42

Tone and Language

The conversation is candid, scripture-saturated, and pastoral—full of honesty, humility, and encouragement. The speakers mix biblical exposition with everyday language and humor, making profound truths accessible and relevant.

Conclusion / Final Encouragement

• Healing is ultimately about knowing the Healer; miracles are meant to restore us to God and to community, not just provide comfort or spectacle.
• Faith is demonstrated in humble, obedient trust, even when we don’t understand or see immediate results.
• God’s kingdom is radically inclusive, and Jesus’s miracles prophetically point to the redemption of individuals and all nations—fulfilling the heart of God as revealed throughout scripture.
• Believers are exhorted not to grow numb to God’s work but to foster continual “trembling joy” at His presence and power.

“Miracles always have a message. They're never random… look through in the miracles: what does this say about the kingdom of heaven?”
— Pastor Joby Martin [05:45]