馬太把十個神蹟集中在第八和第九章，這些神蹟說明耶穌的能力超越疾病、自然和靈界的力量。然後基督將相同的能力與權柄賜給祂所揀選的使徒，並把他們以天國大使的身分差派出去，起先教導他們怎麼做，繼而警告他們將要面臨的危險，正如同祂呼召他們獻身成為門徒時一樣。當約翰入獄的消息傳到耶穌的耳朵時，祂公開讚揚約翰是上帝的使者和先知。現在這位被約翰認出來的彌賽亞，邀請所有身負重擔、憂慮的人可以在祂裡面找到安息與更新的力量。

        回想你的童年時光，是否能夠想起一個在運動界或娛樂界你希望長大後成為和他一樣的明星？在本頁空白處寫下他的名字，然後在名字之下列出一些你模仿這位「童年偶像」的事項，諸如衣著、走路的樣子和說話的方式。
        當然你並不知道，你已經成為這位大人物的「門徒」了，你模仿他(或她)的一言一行，每一次他在電視上出現，每一句話、每一種喜好都成為你潛心注意的目標，因為你已經決定要像這個人，要把自己的生命塑造成另一個人的樣子。
        如此是否有助於你了解耶穌基督門徒的意義？現在查考馬太福音八章十九到廿二節及十章卅五到卅八節，看看馬太對今日所有要跟隨基督、效法基督的人，在基督所要求的獻身與忠誠方面還有什麼建言。然後寫下身為門徒，你應負起的職責是：「身為耶穌的門徒，我的責任是_________」

基督徒應有的憐憫之情
        馬太一再的提到耶穌「憐憫他們」 (太9：36，14：14，15：32，20：34)，聖經中的憐憫意指看見身邊某人的需要，而給予幫助：了解這一點，你雖然不能完成每一件事，但可以做某些事──藉著上帝的幫助，著手做你能做到的事。你打算做些什麼呢？

跟隨耶穌基督必須付代價；不跟隨祂卻要付出更多。

English

        Matthew concentrates on 10 miracles in chapters 8 and 9 that demonstrate Jesus' power over disease, the forces of nature, and the spirit world. Christ then bestows that same power and authority on His chosen apostles and sends them out as ambassadors of the kingdom. He first instructs them how to act, then warns them of the dangers they will face, as He calls them to committed discipleship. When news of John's imprisonment reaches Jesus, He publicly honors John as God's messenger and prophet. The One to whom John pointed now invites all who are burdened with cares to find rest and refreshment in Him.

        Think back to your childhood days and try to recall one personality from the world of sports or entertainment that you wanted to be like when you grew up. Write that name in the margin. Then below it, list some of the things you did to pattern your life after that "childhood idol" in matters of dress, walk, and speech.
        Without even knowing it, you had become a "disciple" of that great personality, a follower and a learner of everything he or she did and said. Every TV appearance, every word, every mannerism became an object of intense interest to you because of your commitment to be like that person ... to model your life
after another.
        Does that help to clarify what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? Look up the following verses to see what else Matthew has lo say about the commitment and devotion that Christ demands of all who would follow Him and learn from Him today: 8:19-22; 10:35-38. Then complete this job description of your responsibilities as a disciple: "My role as Jesus' disciple is ..."

The "Move" Every Christian Should Make —
        Repeatedly Matthew mentions that Jesus "was moved with compassion" (9:36; 14:14; 15:32; 20:34). Biblical compassion is seeing the need of someone around you, and then doing something about it. It is realizing that, though you cannot do everything, you can do something—and with God's help you will do what you can. What will you do?

It costs to follow Jesus Christ, but it costs more not to.