Bible Study - Hope (2) - Hope Found - Matthew 8:1-13 - April 27, 2014

Bible Study – Hope (2) – Hope Found – April 27, 2014

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Let Hope In.”

Our focus scripture is Matthew 8:1-13.

When we seek CHRIST, we find hope.

The Gospel of Matthew was written by Matthew, the disciple of CHRIST, who was named Levi, a tax collector and a Jew before his call to be a disciple. Matthew wrote from the perspective of the Jews. He emphasized how JESUS fulfilled Messianic prophecies that had been written in the Old Testament. Matthew pointed his readers to JESUS’ authority in relation to the promises of GOD and thus is a fitting first book of what we know as the New Testament. JESUS’ authority and power came from GOD. JESUS said in John 5:19-24:

19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

JESUS’ faithfulness even unto death on the cross; HIS resurrection from the dead by GOD; The indwelling Holy Spirit within all who place their faith in CHRIST is every Christian’s guarantee of eternal life, through the miracle of the rebirth. JESUS makes it clear that true Christians will not be judged but have already passed from death to life. How do Christians know that? It is through the indwelling Holy Spirit, who is their guarantee.

Let’s explore!

Let’s read Matthew 8:1-4:

1 When He came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him. 2 Right away a man with a serious skin disease came up and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me • clean.” 3 Reaching out His hand He touched him, saying, “I am willing; be made clean.” Immediately his disease was healed. 4 Then Jesus told him, “See that you don’t tell anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses prescribed, as a testimony to them.”

JESUS had completed the “Sermon on the Mount” which began in Matthew chapter 5. Large crowds of people and/or possible followers came after HIM. JESUS was approached by a person who had the disease of leprosy. Those who had leprosy were required to cry out that they had the disease as they encountered others. The man with the disease revealed his faith by kneeing at the feet of JESUS and stating “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me • clean.” JESUS likely shocked the crowd when [3 Reaching out His hand He touched him, saying, “I am willing; be made clean.” Immediately his disease was healed.] JESUS is willing to touch the most vile, when they seek HIM.

Then JESUS instructed the man to go and show himself to the priest, which was in keeping with Jewish law. Seeing that the man was free of the disease, the priest would declare the man clean. Who was the priest on duty when the man showed himself to the priest? We don’t know but GOD did and I believe it was a witness to the priest. Plus, it was a witness to the crowd that followed JESUS down from the mountain. The miracle of healing was a witness to the power of GOD manifested through JESUS.       

Let’s read Matthew 8:5-9:

A Centurion’s Faith

5 When He entered Capernaum, a • centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible agony!” 7 “I will come and heal him,” He told him. 8 “Lord,” the centurion replied, “I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. But only say the word, and my servant will be cured. 9 For I too am a man under authority, having soldiers under my command. I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my • slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”

JESUS continued HIS journey to Capernaum. Those with CHRIST had the opportunity to witness the next confirming authority by GOD through CHRIST. In our previous verses, JESUS touched the diseased man, spoke and he was healed. GOD wanted them and us to know that JESUS does not have to physically touch a person to bring healing.

We see in our scripture that as HE entered Capernaum a centurion approached HIM on behalf of his servant. A centurion was in charge of around 100 soldiers. It could have been more or less than 100. One thing for sure the centurion was in-charge and responsible for a certain area for Rome and a Gentile.

We get to see the heart of the centurion. He was likely a man who was firm but compassionate. He knew the Jewish customs and law. He was a man of authority.

Notice that the centurion addressed JESUS as “Lord”. Addressing HIM as “Lord” was likely to show respect and honor to JESUS but did not indicate that he had accepted JESUS as his promised Messiah. The centurion revealed that his servant was in bed, paralyzed and in great pain. Some speculate that the servant’s condition may have been a creeping paralysis which when it hit the lungs, the servant would die.

We see a different rending of events in Luke’s account of this event in Luke 7:1-8:

2 A • centurion’s • slave, who was highly valued by him, was sick and about to die. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to Him, requesting Him to come and save the life of his slave. 4 When they reached Jesus, they pleaded with Him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for You to grant this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built us a • synagogue.” 6 Jesus went with them, and when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell Him, “Lord, don’t trouble Yourself, since I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. 7 That is why I didn’t even consider myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be cured. 8 For I too am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under my command. I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”

Matthew leads us to think the centurion was present when JESUS was asked by the Jewish elders to heal his servant. Bible scholars conclude that the Jewish elders were quoting the exact words of the centurion to JESUS. This fits with the centurion’s view of himself in comparison to JESUS and the Jewish faith. He did not want to do anything to prevent JESUS from healing his servant. That reveals the trust he had in JESUS and the respect he had for the Jewish law. JESUS responded to the request with a resounding “I will come and heal him.” The centurion knew that a devout Jew would be defiled by doing certain things. JESUS used this event to teach the centurion and the Jewish elders that HE came to introduce direct access to GOD through faith in HIM. JESUS was near the house of the centurion, so the centurion knew JESUS was willing to come to his house. He sent messengers to deliver a confession of faith to JESUS. Now, that was confidence, trust and faith in JESUS’ authority.

The important matter is that JESUS healed the servant without having to touch him, which adds another dimension to the authority of JESUS. This was a witness to the Jewish elders, to the centurion and all involved. It also revealed the faith of a Gentile in JESUS. The centurion had complete confidence and faith in the authority of JESUS.   

Let’s read Matthew 8:10-13:

10 Hearing this, Jesus was amazed and said to those following Him, “•I assure you: I have not found anyone in Israel with so great a faith! 11 I tell you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus told the centurion, “Go. As you have believed, let it be done for you.” And his servant was cured that very moment.

JESUS was amazed, astonished at the faith of the centurion in HIM. The centurion was a Gentile Roman soldier. JESUS had not seen such faith coming from GOD’S chosen, the Israelites. JESUS made it clear that faith is the necessary ingredient for salvation from sin and eternal death. The Israelites cannot ride on the faith of their forefathers. It is not faith in Abraham, Isaac or Jacob but faith in GOD and faith in JESUS as the promised Messiah that is necessary for salvation and eternal life.

We need to keep in mind that this was the transitional period of going from observing and keeping of the law, the commandments and applying them as they obediently served GOD to placing their faith in CHRIST, the promised Messiah and living under GOD’S grace.

JESUS confirmed the faith of the centurion and HIS authority when HE healed his servant. Faith in JESUS will always result in healing of Spirit needs and healing of physical needs, when led by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

The faith of a Gentile, Roman soldier exceeded the faith of the Israelites who were supposed to be a nation comprised of HIS chosen that placed their faith in the One True GOD. But they had missed the mark and placed their faith in being born a Jew.

The statement that “Many will come from the east and the west” was a manner of saying that many from other regions of the world, Gentiles, would “take their places at the table” with those of faith in GOD. No one will get to heaven riding on the coattails of another person’s faith, being born a Jew or a descendant of Abraham, Isaac or Jacob. All who place their faith in people who have placed their faith in GOD or depend upon birthright or ancestry will not get to heaven and this includes the “children of the kingdom.” The “children of the kingdom” refers to the Jews, GOD’S chosen. Being a Jew does not guarantee a spot in heaven. Faith in GOD or CHRIST is the necessary ingredient.

Genesis 15:6 - Abram believed the Lord (Faith), and He credited it to him as righteousness.

As mentioned, this was the transitional period from obediently observing the law and commandments to a person placing his/her faith in CHRIST. Of course the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of CHRIST had not taken place at this time but JESUS was pointing to it.

Let’s read Hebrews 9:1-28 to help us compare the old covenant and the new covenant:

Old Covenant Ministry

1 Now the first covenant also had regulations for ministry and an earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was set up, and in the first room, which is called the holy place, were the lampstand, the table, and the presentation loaves. 3 Behind the second curtain, the tabernacle was called the most holy place. 4 It contained the gold altar of incense and the ark of the covenant, covered with gold on all sides, in which there was a gold jar containing the manna, Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5 The • cherubim of glory were above it overshadowing the •mercy seat. It is not possible to speak about these things in detail right now. 6 With these things set up this way, the priests enter the first room repeatedly, performing their ministry. 7 But the high priest alone enters the second room, and he does that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit was making it clear that the way into the most holy place had not yet been disclosed while the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 This is a symbol for the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the worshiper’s conscience. 10 They are physical regulations and only deal with food, drink, and various washings imposed until the time of restoration.

New Covenant Ministry

11 But the • Messiah has appeared, high priest of the good things that have come. In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation), 12 He entered the most holy place once for all, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, having obtained eternal •redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow, sprinkling those who are defiled, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of the Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God? 15 Therefore, He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance, because a death has taken place for redemption from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. 16 Where a will exists, the death of the one who made it must be established. 17 For a will is valid only when people die, since it is never in force while the one who made it is living. 18 That is why even the first covenant was inaugurated with blood. 19 For when every command had been proclaimed by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll itself and all the people, 20 saying, This is the blood of the covenant that God has commanded for you. 21 In the same way, he sprinkled the tabernacle and all the articles of worship with blood. 22 According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. 23 Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves to be purified with better sacrifices than these. 24 For the Messiah did not enter a sanctuary made with hands (only a model of the true one) but into heaven itself, so that He might now appear in the presence of God for us. 25 He did not do this to offer Himself many times, as the high priest enters the sanctuary yearly with the blood of another. 26 Otherwise, He would have had to suffer many times since the foundation of the world. But now He has appeared one time, at the end of the ages, for the removal of sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for people to die once —and after this, judgment— 28 so also the Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.

As our focus scripture describes (Matthew 8:10-13), outer darkness will be a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. JESUS’ words were a wakeup call for the Jews. JESUS came first to the house of Israel.

Matthew 15:24 - 24 He (JESUS) replied, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Matthew 10:5-7:

5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

The Jews thought that being born a Jew automatically guaranteed their access to heaven, regardless of how they lived in relationship with GOD. JESUS was telling them that they were wrong. JESUS then tied the centurion’s faith to the healing of his servant. “Go. As you have believed, let it be done for you.” And his servant was cured that very moment.   

We must keep in mind that it is our faith in CHRIST that produces the right relationship with CHRIST and the miracle of rebirth into the family of GOD. When Christians are in right relationship with GOD through CHRIST it results in accomplishing the plan and purpose of GOD. It is HIS will that is to be accomplished through HIS children and Christians are HIS chosen. Are you GOD’S child through faith in CHRIST? If not, now is the time. Please ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and to come into your life that you might obediently serve HIM. Being born as a Jew or to Christian parents does not mean that you are a Christian. Being a Christian is personal and it is CHRIST in you. Blessings!!!