Faith, Healing, and the Inclusivity of God's Kingdom
Summary
In our journey through the Gospel of Matthew, we encounter a profound moment when Jesus, having descended from delivering the Sermon on the Mount, is approached by a leper. This encounter is not merely a historical footnote; it is a divine appointment that reveals the heart of God's kingdom. The leper, considered the most vile and untouchable, represents the depth of human sin and brokenness. Yet, in his desperation, he does something extraordinary—he worships Jesus, acknowledging Him not just as a teacher or prophet, but as Lord.
This act of worship is a pivotal moment, for it signifies a recognition of Jesus' divine authority. The leper's plea, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean," is met with Jesus' compassionate response, "I am willing; be clean." Here, Jesus breaks every religious convention by touching the leper, an act that would render anyone else ceremonially unclean. But in the kingdom of God, Jesus' touch does not defile; it heals and restores.
The healing of the leper is a testament to the power of Jesus' word and presence. It is a foreshadowing of the greater invitation He would extend in Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Jesus was laying a foundation for a new covenant, one where burdens are lifted, and rest is found in Him.
The narrative continues with the faith of a Roman centurion, a man of authority yet outside the Jewish faith. His understanding of authority leads him to believe that Jesus can heal his servant with just a word. Jesus marvels at the centurion's faith, greater than any He has found in Israel, and declares that many will come from east and west to sit with the patriarchs in the kingdom of heaven. This statement is a radical inclusion of Gentiles and a warning to the religious that mere heritage does not guarantee a place in God's kingdom.
The centurion's faith and the subsequent healing of his servant from a distance demonstrate that Jesus' authority transcends physical presence. It is a powerful reminder that our faith in His word is the conduit for His power to work in our lives.
As we reflect on these encounters, we are reminded that Jesus is the one who holds the future. Our response should not be to seek miracles for the sake of miracles but to fall in love with Jesus, acknowledging Him as Lord of all. In doing so, we find that the true miracle is a transformed life, one that worships Jesus and rests in His grace.
Key Takeaways:
- The worship of the leper signifies a profound recognition of Jesus' divine authority. In a culture where leprosy was equated with sin, the leper's act of worship and Jesus' willingness to touch and heal him demonstrate the radical inclusivity and transformative power of God's kingdom. [12:03]
- Jesus' interaction with the Roman centurion reveals that faith is not confined to a specific people group or religious background. The centurion's understanding of authority and his faith in Jesus' word challenge us to consider the depth of our own faith and the power of God's word to heal and restore. [41:58]
- The inclusion of Gentiles in the kingdom of heaven, as illustrated by Jesus' response to the centurion's faith, serves as a reminder that God's grace extends beyond ethnic and cultural boundaries. This challenges us to embrace a kingdom perspective that values faith over heritage. [43:15]
- The healing of the centurion's servant from a distance emphasizes that Jesus' authority is not limited by physical barriers. Our faith in His word is sufficient for Him to work miracles in our lives, regardless of our circumstances. [49:33]
- Our ultimate goal should not be to seek signs and wonders but to fall deeply in love with Jesus, acknowledging Him as Lord. In doing so, we experience the true miracle of a life transformed by His love and grace. [52:54]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 8:1-4 (NIV)
> When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
2. Matthew 8:5-13 (NIV)
> When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.
3. Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
> “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the leper's request to Jesus, and how did Jesus respond? ([12:03])
2. How did the centurion demonstrate his faith in Jesus' authority? ([38:41])
3. What does Jesus promise to those who come to Him in Matthew 11:28-30? ([03:24])
4. How did Jesus' actions towards the leper and the centurion challenge the religious norms of the time? ([16:50])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the leper's act of worship signify about his understanding of Jesus' identity? ([12:03])
2. How does the centurion's faith contrast with the faith of the religious leaders in Israel? ([41:07])
3. What does Jesus' willingness to touch the leper and heal the centurion's servant from a distance tell us about His approach to inclusivity and compassion? ([16:50])
4. How does Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11:28-30 redefine the concept of religious burdens and rest? ([03:24])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like the leper, desperate and in need of Jesus' touch. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? ([12:03])
2. The centurion showed great faith by believing Jesus could heal his servant with just a word. How can you demonstrate similar faith in your current circumstances? ([38:41])
3. Jesus broke religious conventions by touching the leper. Are there any "untouchable" areas or people in your life that you need to reach out to with Jesus' love? ([16:50])
4. Jesus invites us to come to Him for rest. What burdens are you carrying that you need to lay down at His feet? How can you practically do this in your daily life? ([03:24])
5. The sermon emphasized falling in love with Jesus rather than seeking miracles. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus this week? ([52:03])
6. The inclusion of Gentiles in the kingdom of heaven challenges us to embrace a kingdom perspective. How can you show inclusivity and grace to those who are different from you? ([43:15])
7. Jesus' authority transcends physical presence. How can you strengthen your faith in His word and promises, even when you don't see immediate results? ([49:33])
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Authority Recognized in Worship
The leper's encounter with Jesus is a profound demonstration of recognizing divine authority through worship. In a society where leprosy was synonymous with sin and uncleanness, the leper's approach and worship of Jesus signified a deep understanding of who Jesus was. The leper's plea, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean," coupled with Jesus' compassionate response, "I am willing; be clean," illustrates a transformative moment where societal norms are overturned by the power of divine love and authority. Jesus' touch, which should have defiled him according to religious law, instead cleanses and restores, showcasing the kingdom of God's radical inclusivity and the power to heal the deepest of human brokenness.
"Then Jesus put out his hand and touched him, saying, 'I am willing; be cleansed.' Immediately his leprosy was cleansed." (Matthew 8:3)
Reflection: How does your worship reflect an acknowledgment of Jesus' divine authority in your life, and how can you express this recognition in your daily actions? [07:40]
Day 2: Faith Beyond Boundaries
The Roman centurion's faith is a powerful testament to the belief that transcends cultural and religious boundaries. His understanding of authority allowed him to see Jesus' ability to heal without physical touch, simply through a command. This interaction not only highlights the centurion's faith but also serves as a lesson that faith in Jesus' word has the power to bridge gaps and bring forth healing and restoration. The centurion's faith, which Jesus commends as greater than any in Israel, challenges us to examine the depth of our own faith and to trust in the power of Jesus' word in every area of our lives.
"For he was saying to him, 'Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.'" (Matthew 8:8)
Reflection: Consider a situation where you feel powerless. How can you apply the centurion's understanding of Jesus' authority to trust in His word for healing or restoration in this circumstance? [41:58]
Day 3: Inclusive Kingdom of Heaven
Jesus' response to the centurion's faith is a clear indication that the kingdom of heaven is not limited to a specific ethnic or cultural group. This radical inclusion of Gentiles into the kingdom serves as a reminder that God's grace is available to all who believe, regardless of their background. The statement that many will come from the east and west to sit with the patriarchs in the kingdom of heaven is a call to embrace a kingdom perspective that values faith over heritage and challenges us to extend the same inclusive love to others.
"I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 8:11)
Reflection: How can you actively demonstrate the inclusive nature of God's kingdom in your community, breaking down barriers that may prevent others from feeling welcomed? [43:15]
Day 4: Authority Transcending Presence
The healing of the centurion's servant from a distance is a powerful illustration of Jesus' authority, which is not confined by physical limitations. This miracle demonstrates that faith in Jesus' word is the conduit through which His power operates in our lives. It encourages us to believe that no matter the distance or the barriers we face, Jesus' word is sufficient to bring about change and healing.
"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.'" (Matthew 8:10)
Reflection: What are the "distances" in your life that you feel separate you from Jesus' healing touch? How can you exercise faith in His word to bridge that gap today? [49:33]
Day 5: Transformed Life in Jesus
The ultimate goal of our faith journey is not to chase after miracles but to fall deeply in love with Jesus, acknowledging Him as Lord of all. This relationship with Jesus leads to a transformed life, one that is characterized by worship and resting in His grace. As we grow in our love for Jesus, we find that the true miracle is the change that takes place within us, shaping us to be more like Him in every aspect of our lives.
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
Reflection: What does falling deeply in love with Jesus look like for you in practical terms, and how can you take steps to deepen that relationship starting today? [52:54]
Quotes
1) "Jesus broke every religious law there was, touched him and said you got it, there you go. He said I will, Hallelujah, now you be and immediately, now listen, I don't know by what degree the leprosy had taken over this man." [19:44] (Download | )
2) "The leper worshiped him, did you realize what that means, right? He's equating this man that he's looking at as God, as the Lord, and worshiped him." [17:27] (Download | )
3) "Jesus was setting the stage to reveal himself later on in three more chapters to the degree that the leper had already gotten and the Pagan had already gotten but the religious crowd missed." [45:29] (Download | )
4) "Jesus marveled at what this Roman said, this Heathen. He said to the ones that followed, 'I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.' What a slap in the face to the religious crowd." [41:07] (Download | )
5) "Jesus said to the Centurion, 'Go your way; as you have believed, so let it be done unto you.' And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour." [45:29] (Download | )
6) "Jesus said, 'Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' He was building to it there. 'I will,' he touched him, 'I will, now be clean,' immediately he was cleansed." [21:10] (Download | )
7) "Jesus said, 'Offer the gift so you'll be a testimony to them.' And then when Jesus entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, a centurion was not a Jew, a centurion didn't worship the one true God." [30:07] (Download | )
8) "Jesus broke every Rule and touch the leper, the leper said if you will, he didn't say if you can, he said I know you can because I know you're God." [19:00] (Download | )
9) "Jesus touched him and said I will, now be clean and the word of God says here that immediately he was cleansed so whatever sores whatever was going on and immediately he was normal." [20:26] (Download | )
10) "Jesus said, 'Take me to him.' Wow, don't you know people in that crowd are going, 'He said what?' Don't you know there were some people that might have still been a little bit on the fence about Jesus." [37:16] (Download | )
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