Life and Ministry of Jesus - Healings

Living Hope Presbyterian Church

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Matthew 8

1 When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 3 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”

5 When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.

14 And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. 16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

ESV: The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ©2011 Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Sermon Summary: The sermon delves into Matthew chapter 8, focusing on Jesus’ ministry of healing. It explores three key healing encounters: the cleansing of a leper, the healing of a centurion’s servant, and the restoration of Peter’s mother-in-law. Through these interactions, the sermon emphasizes Jesus’ authority, compassion, and willingness to heal both physically and spiritually. The sermon highlights the significance of these healings in revealing Jesus’ identity as the Christ and pointing to the ultimate healing through his sacrificial death on the cross.

Key Points:

• Jesus demonstrates his authority and compassion through healing encounters.
• Healing serves as proof of Jesus’ identity as the Christ and his power over illness.
• The purpose of healing extends beyond physical restoration to spiritual healing and salvation.
• Jesus’ healings point to the ultimate healing through his sacrificial death on the cross.

Bible Verses Mentioned:

• Matthew 8:1-17
• Leviticus (reference to leprosy laws)
• Isaiah 53 (quoted in relation to healing)

Humor and Anecdotes:

• The speaker humorously mentions the challenges of managing passports for a family trip to Guatemala.
• No specific anecdotes or humorous stories were shared within the sermon.

Key Quotes:

1. “He is willing to touch the unclean in order to make him clean. The power and the compassion of Jesus meet right there in that moment.”
2. “Faith in Christ leads to life and light and feast. Rejection of Christ leads to death and hell and darkness.”
3. “He heals us that our faith might be both seen and might increase.”

Themes:

• Authority and Compassion: Jesus demonstrates authority over illness while showing compassion towards those in need.
• Healing as Proof: Each healing serves as proof of Jesus’ identity as the Christ and his power over physical and spiritual ailments.
• Salvation and Redemption: Healing extends beyond physical restoration to symbolize spiritual healing, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life through Christ’s sacrifice.
• Inclusivity and Belonging: Jesus welcomes all, regardless of social status or background, into the community of faith, emphasizing the significance of each individual.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does Jesus’ interaction with the leper challenge societal norms regarding cleanliness and social exclusion?
2. In what ways does the centurion’s humility and faith serve as examples for believers today?
3. How does the concept of healing in this sermon extend beyond physical ailments to encompass spiritual restoration and salvation?

Metaphors and Stories:

• Leprosy as Social Exclusion: The leper symbolizes social outcasts and those marginalized by society, highlighting Jesus’ willingness to reach out to the marginalized.
• Centurion’s Faith as Humility: The centurion’s humility in approaching Jesus reflects a deep faith in Christ’s authority and power, emphasizing the importance of humility in faith.
• Healing as a Sign of Christ’s Identity: Each healing serves as a metaphor for Christ’s ultimate healing through his sacrificial death on the cross, symbolizing spiritual redemption and eternal life.