The Bible Recap — Day 280 (Matthew 8, Mark 2) – Year 7

Host: Tara-Leigh Cobble
Date: October 7, 2025

Episode Overview

In today's episode, Tara-Leigh Cobble recaps Matthew 8 and Mark 2, focusing on Jesus’s miracles, interactions with outsiders, and the "upside down kingdom" he ushers in—a kingdom where priorities and expectations are shifted. She connects the dots between Jesus’s healings, his cautious approach to publicity, and his reaching out to those at the margins. The episode highlights Jesus’s compassion, authority, and the challenges he presents to existing religious and social boundaries.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jesus and the Leper (Matthew 8:1–4)

• Approachability of Jesus: The leper, typically an outcast, feels compelled to approach Jesus, underscoring Jesus’s kindness and humility.
• Humility and Faith: The leper makes no demands but acknowledges Jesus’s capability:

  “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” (Tara-Leigh, 00:18)

• Secrecy about Miracles: Jesus once again instructs silence after a healing, especially among Jews, to control the timing of his revelation as Messiah.

2. Jesus’s Varying Publicity (00:50)

• Why Tell Some to Speak and Others Not?
  Jesus sometimes allows Gentiles or non-Jews (like the Samaritan woman in John 4) to share about him, but with Jews, he is cautious to avoid premature political or religious confrontation.
• Preserving God’s Timeline:

  “In order to preserve the specific timing God has planned for his revealing and his death, Jesus is very measured in his approach.” (Tara-Leigh, 01:30)

3. Healing the Roman Centurion’s Servant (Matthew 8:5–13)

• Crossing Social Boundaries: Jesus responds positively to a request from a Roman centurion, an enemy to the Jews.
• Faith of the Outsider:

  “This guy has more faith in the Jewish messiah than the Jews do.” (Tara-Leigh, 02:25)

• Inclusivity of God’s Kingdom: Jesus hints that many who assume they belong to God’s kingdom (by birthright) may be left out, while outsiders are welcomed.

4. Authority over Nature & Spirits (Matthew 8:23–34)

• Calming the Storm:
  Jesus shows authority over weather, astounding his disciples.
• Demoniac Deliverance:
  Jesus’s power extends to spiritual realms, and even demons recognize who he is and fear him.
• Local Resistance: The people are upset about the loss of pigs (a valuable resource), illustrating misunderstanding of Jesus’s kingdom values.

5. Mark 2: Healing & Forgiveness

• Paralytic Lowered Through the Roof (Mark 2:1–12):
  Determined friends create a dramatic scene to get help for the paralyzed man.

  “They know people are more important than roof tiles.” (Tara-Leigh, 06:00)

• Jesus Sees Faith & Hearts:
  Jesus both forgives sin and physically heals, showing his unique authority.

  “He tells him his sins have been forgiven. Some people aren’t pleased about this, because who does Jesus think he is? So then Jesus shows them by healing the man’s legs, not just his future.” (Tara-Leigh, 06:15) “He’s a mind reader... and a heart reader.” (Tara-Leigh, 06:45)

6. Challenging Religious Traditions (Mark 2:13–28)

• Calling Matthew (Levi) the Tax Collector:
  Jesus’s willingness to associate with outcasts sparks opposition from religious leaders.
• Disregarding Additional Traditions:
  Jesus consistently challenges the boundaries and extra rules of the Pharisees.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Jesus’s Controlled Publicity:

  “He knew it could go badly for him if it wasn’t handled with discretion.” (00:48)

• On Sacrifice of Following Jesus:

  “Following Jesus will cost us our priorities, things like comfort and control and our own plans and timing. That’s what happens anytime you love someone… Jesus brings an upside down kingdom.” (Tara-Leigh, 03:20)

• Jesus’s Approach to Outcasts:

  “He reaches out to bless people who can offer him nothing, not even their faith.” (Tara-Leigh, 09:10)

• On the Grace of Healing:

  “Some people will tell you that if your faith is strong enough, God will heal you. But… that servant did exactly zero in order to get the healing Jesus gave him… Jesus just said, I can heal him, so I’m going to.” (Tara-Leigh, 09:00)

• Summing Up the Gospel:

  “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Tara-Leigh quoting Jesus, Mark 2:17, 10:12)

Important Segment Timestamps

| Time | Segment/Topic | |----------|---------------------------------------------------------| | 00:02 | Introduction & Overview of Matthew 8 | | 00:18 | The Leper’s Approach, Jesus’s Response | | 00:50 | Why Jesus Tells Some to Be Silent, Others to Testify | | 02:25 | The Centurion’s Faith and Healing of Servant | | 03:20 | Counting the Cost of Discipleship & Upside Down Kingdom | | 04:00 | Crossing to Gentile Side, Calming of Storm | | 05:20 | Exorcism and Local Reaction | | 06:00 | Mark 2: Friends Lowering the Paralytic Through the Roof | | 06:45 | Jesus Forgives and Heals the Paralytic | | 07:20 | Calling of Levi; Challenging Pharisaic Traditions | | 09:00 | God’s Generous Healing; Faith and Grace | | 10:12 | Key Gospel Quote (Mark 2:17) |

Conclusion: God’s Generosity and the "God Shot"

Tara-Leigh closes with her "God shot":

• God’s Gifts Are Unmerited: The Roman centurion’s servant, the demoniacs, and the paralytic all were healed not because they sought Jesus or had great faith, but because Jesus’s grace abounds to the helpless.
• Jesus’s Heart for the Desperate:

  “Jesus seems to have a great affection for those who are desperate.” (Tara-Leigh, 09:40)

• The episode concludes with encouragement to revisit and reread the Gospels for deeper understanding and assurance that Jesus is “where the healing is and he’s where the joy is.”

Summary Table

| Theme | Example | Key Lesson | |-------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------| | Jesus’s Approachability | Leper kneels before him | Jesus welcomes the outcast | | Hiddenness/Publicity | Jesus limits publicity among Jews | Follows divine timing | | Kingdom Inclusivity | Centurion’s faith commended | Outsiders welcomed, insiders warned | | Comprehensive Authority | Calms storm, casts out demons | Power over nature and spirits | | Challenging Social/Religious Norms | Calls Matthew, eats with outcasts | Relational over ritual | | Generous & Unqualified Grace | Heals undeserving individuals | God’s mercy is not earned |

For further study:

• Listeners are encouraged to reread or listen again to the Scripture passages for deeper insight.
• Tune in to the new TBR Deep Dive podcast for thematic explorations each week.

“He’s where the healing is and he’s where the joy is.”
— Tara-Leigh Cobble