The Jesus I Didn't Expect: Matthew 8:17-34

What comes to mind when you think about Christianity? What is it all about to you? Why do you subscribe to this faith? Is it because of scary descriptions of hell? Is it simply because you were raised in the church?Hopefully, your reasons are more personal and meaningful.

Take a genuine moment to consider: Why are you a follower of Jesus?

In Matthew chapter 8, Jesus shows us the profound reality of what it means to follow Him. It’s a reality that often defies our expectations.

The Cost of Following an Unexpected King

In verses 19-20, a scribe, an expert in Jewish law, approaches Jesus with a bold declaration: “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” We can assume this scribe held the common view of his time: that the Messiah would be a royal figure, a political powerhouse who would overthrow Rome, liberate Israel, and establish God’s reign on Earth through military might. This scribe likely saw a chance to get in on the ground floor of a glorious new administration.

Jesus’ response, however, shatters this preconceived notion. He tells the scribe, “Foxes have holes and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Matthew 8:20 NASB).

To the scribe, this must have sounded like a contradiction. The title “Son of Man” is a powerful reference to a figure of cosmic authority from the Old Testament, most notably in Daniel chapter 7. This title, while dynamic, consistently refers to God’s chosen agent to accomplish His ultimate purpose. How could the one destined for universal dominion be homeless?

Jesus' response reveals a crucial truth: He is indeed the one the scribe is seeking, but He will not fulfill that role in the way the scribe imagines. He does not fit into the neat, political box created for Him.

To understand the weight of this title, let's look at Daniel’s vision.

“I kept looking in the night visions,And behold, with the clouds of heavenOne like a son of man was coming,And He came up to the Ancient of DaysAnd was presented before Him.“And to Him was given dominion,Honor, and a kingdom,So that all the peoples, nations, and populations of all languagesMight serve Him.His dominion is an everlasting dominionWhich will not pass away;And His kingdom is oneWhich will not be destroyed.”(Daniel 7:13−14 NASB)

Daniel’s vision shows a divine human figure reclaiming the authority humanity lost in Eden—to rule on God’s behalf. So, when Jesus claims this title while also claiming to be homeless, He is signaling that His path to the throne is one of humility, suffering, and sacrifice, not earthly conquest.

Right after this exchange, another man expresses a desire to follow Jesus, but with a condition: “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father” (Matthew 8:21). In Jewish culture, this was a sacred duty, a primary way a son honored his parents and fulfilled the law. But Jesus’ reply is radical: “Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead” (Matthew 8:22).

Is Jesus telling this man to break the law and dishonor his family? No. He is demonstrating the supreme urgency and priority of the kingdom of God. Participating in God’s restorative work in the world must come before even the most cherished cultural and religious obligations.

The Heresy of a Misunderstood Messiah

These two encounters reveal a Messiah who shattered every category the people of his day had created. He was a poor man with no army, and He appeared to advocate for forsaking sacred traditions. In the eyes of the religious establishment, this was heresy. And it is ultimately why they sought to kill Him.

The leaders of Israel failed to see who Jesus truly was because they had elevated their traditions and laws above the very purpose those things were meant to serve: the mission of God to establish His kingdom on Earth.

We, as modern Christians, must be careful not to make the same mistake. We can create our own traditions and idols, shaping a version of Jesus that is convenient and comfortable. This is the sin of the golden calf: instead of worshiping God for who He truly is, we create an idol in our own image and proclaim that is God.

Have you elevated tradition over the true intent of the gospel? Have you added things to your faith that, rather than serving the mission, get in the way?

Our Role in a Kingdom of Power

You might think that the mission is over—that Jesus accomplished it all. While He did secure the victory, our role is to participate in the kingdom work He continues to do through us. Daniel’s vision doesn't end with the Son of Man receiving the kingdom; it extends it to God's people.

‘Then the sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the empires will serve and obey Him.’(Daniel 7:27 NASB)

The kingdom has been given to us, "the saints of the Highest One!" Our job is to steward this kingdom. Later in Matthew 8, we see demonstrations of this kingdom's power. Jesus calms a raging storm with a command and casts out powerful demons, showing His dominion over creation and the forces of evil. He is the Son of Man from Daniel 7, wielding God's authority.

Following this King is not about talk or show; it is about living in the power of His kingdom. It requires a faith that endures trials, knowing that God uses them to perfect us (James 1:2−4). It means we must die to our old lives and expectations to truly live with Him and, as we endure, reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:11−12).

Empty talk is more than just gossip; it’s talking about Jesus without any intention of living the life He calls us to. Let us not be people who merely discuss our faith, but people who live it out.

As the Apostle Paul wrote, “For the kingdom of God is not in words, but in power” (1 Corinthians 4:20 NASB).

So, the question remains: Are you a person of empty talk, or are you living in the power of the Holy Spirit?