Bible Study - Victory (2) - Victorious Hope - Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 10:1-10 - March 12, 2017

Bible Study – Victory (2) – Victorious Hope – March 12, 2017

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Victory.”

Our focus scripture is Matthew 8:5-13.

When we come to JESUS in faith, we find hope.

Capernaum is a town located on the Sea of Galilee. It had a prominent synagogue and was the home of Peter, Peter’s mother-in-law, Andrew, James and John.  

A centurion was a Roman soldier responsible for 100 soldiers more or less. In those days military terms were flexible. A centurion might not be in charge of 100 men that is why I said more or less. A Decurion was an office in charge of ten soldiers and chiliarch was in charge of 1,000 men. Centurions were men of good reputation.

The setting for our focus scripture occurred after JESUS preached HIS sermon referred to as the “Sermon on the Mount” and after JESUS healed a man of a serious skin condition recorded in Matthew 8:1-4:

Cleansing a Leper (Lead-in)

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."

We learn in Matthew 4 that JESUS made Capernaum the center of HIS ministry – Matthew 4:12-17:

12 When He heard that John had been arrested, He withdrew into Galilee.

13 He left Nazareth behind and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali.

14 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

15 Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, along the sea road, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles!

16 The people who live in darkness have seen a great light, and for those living in the shadowland of death, light has dawned.

17 From then on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!"

Capernaum was also a military garrison because of its location in the region.

Let’s explore!

This same event is recorded by Doctor Luke in the Book of Luke – Luke 7:1-10. Both Matthew and Luke are synoptic gospels meaning they are overviews and focus on the points as led by the Holy Spirit.

The LORD led me to record both accounts of this event- Matthew and Luke. Luke is posted at the end of the discussion of the Matthew scripture.

We need to keep in mind that Matthew focused on the Jewish leaders who were speaking in behalf of the centurion. It was a message to the Jews. Thus, the Matthew account reads as if the centurion personally and directly spoke to JESUS, whereas, in fact, it was the Jewish leaders who spoke to JESUS. Such an arrangement brought the Jewish leaders into direct and intimate contact with JESUS and the authority of JESUS, thus emphasizing attributes of the promised Messiah as reflected in JESUS.

The Jewish leaders were beholding to the centurion because he had a synagogue built for them. GOD used this event to engage both the Jewish religious community and the Gentile community with JESUS.

Matthew’s focus was on the Jews and their need to see JESUS as the promised Messiah.

Let’s read Matthew 8:5-7:

A Centurion's Faith

5 When He entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him,

It is important for the military to know what is taking place in the area for which they are responsible. It seems that word of JESUS’ healing the man with the skin disease was part of the intelligence likely reported to the centurion. The moment JESUS set foot back in Capernaum the news of HIS return was likely reported to the centurion. Notice this military leader, who barked orders, “pleaded” with JESUS through the Jewish leaders, who were speaking in his behalf, for JESUS to heal his “servant-boy”. The Greek word used can be interpreted as servant, can be rendered “child” or as in this case “a servant who is like a son to me.”

6 "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible agony!"

The Centurion’s servant was paralyzed and in terrible agony. Otherwise, they would have likely brought the servant to JESUS. The centurion made it clear that his servant was at his home. That would be the home of a Gentile. The word “servant” can be translated “boy,” which is a term of endearment.

7 "I will come and heal him," He told him.

The statement “I will come and heal him” is a positive statement meaning “Without a doubt I will go to the “servant” and I will heal him.”

Copied below is the New International Version translation of this verse and it translates:

7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”

JESUS agreeing to go to the centurion’s servant would mean that a Jewish rabbi would have to enter the home of a Gentile. In the Holman translation it reads “I will come and heal him.”

JESUS had considered how a Jewish rabbi would consider the centurion’s request. A Jewish rabbi would have been made unclean by entering a Gentile’s home. JESUS broke the tradition of the Jewish rabbi by making it known that HE would go into the Gentile’s home to heal his servant. Jewish custom was not a concern to JESUS but to do the will of The Father and not be bound by tradition. JESUS came not to do away with the law but to fulfill the law. HE lived by the intent and Spirit of the law.

In doing so, it confirmed the mission of JESUS to minister to all who seek HIM regardless of race or ethnicity.

JESUS agreed to go and to heal the centurion’s slave. The word “heal” used here is different from the word “heal” in verse 8. Here it implies that JESUS would assess the servant’s condition and determine what was required for the servant to be healed e.g. was his condition due to a physical condition or a spiritual condition or both. But there was no question about the outcome, the servant would be healed. JESUS said HE would certainly go and heal the centurion’s slave. In fact it reads, “I Myself will go and personally see to it that the servant will be healed.”

JESUS continued to walk toward the centurion’s house because it was a teaching moment for both the Jews and the Gentiles who were among this mixed group of people.  

Let’s read Matthew 8:8-9:

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.

The centurion saw JESUS walking toward his house. It transmitted a positive message to the centurion. This man called JESUS means business. He is willing to venture into Gentile territory to heal my servant. By meeting JESUS, the centurion was giving JESUS an opportunity not to go into his house and defile Himself. His concern for JESUS revealed the heart of the centurion. The centurion called JESUS “Lord.” At that time “Lord” was used for a person who was a great teacher or as a greeting such as “sir.” But did the centurion see more in JESUS than a great teacher? What do you think?

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."

The centurion saw JESUS as a man but after JESUS spoke and his servant was healed, how did the centurion look upon 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!

Faith in JESUS equals salvation, just as GOD acknowledged the faith of Abraham in HIM equaled righteousness.

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.

The many coming from the “east and the west” was a reference to Gentiles. Those who place their faith in JESUS will come and “recline” at the table of the patriarchs.  

Ancestral lineage does not get a person into Heaven. It is by faith in JESUS, The Son of GOD that is the only way to GOD and salvation from sin and its consequence eternal death.

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."

Even though people are born Jews and can trace their lineage back to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, without faith in GOD’S only SON, JESUS, they, the Jews, would be cast into outer darkness. Salvation is only through faith in JESUS, the promised Messiah. No person can earn his or her way to GOD.

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.

Faith in JESUS is the key. JESUS said, “As you have believed in ME two miracles have taken place – your salvation and the healing of your servant. But how do Christians respond when JESUS says NO! Will they still trust that HIS decision is correct? You have read many times that Christians must practice in the dark what they learn in the light. Often, the greatest work for our Spiritual growth is done in the times of darkness. JESUS is the light and gives us hope.

The centurion’s servant was healed but later he would pass through the portal of death. Just, as when JESUS spoke and brought Lazarus back from the dead; Lazarus died physically later in life.

Such miracles authenticate that JESUS is the promised Messiah and that through HIM GOD’S power was being manifested.

In whom do you place your faith? If you have not asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and asked HIM into your heart, now is the opportunity. Eternity is but a heartbeat away. Blessings!!!

Now our lesson based upon Doctor Luke’s research as recorded in Luke 7:1-10:

Doctor Luke adds some details.

[Let’s read Luke 7:1-5:

A Centurion's Faith

1 When He had concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.

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."]

We learn a few more details from Doctor Luke’s account regarding this event.

We learn that the centurion was well respected by the Jews in that area. He was an honorable man who reached out to the Jewish community. He had a synagogue built where the Jews could worship GOD. This would have fostered good community relations but it could also reveal the interest of the centurion in the monotheistic GOD of the Israelites.

The centurion did not feel worthy to come into the presence of JESUS which reveals the respect and hope he had in JESUS. The centurion respected authority and he respected the authority of JESUS which came from the GOD of the Israelites. The fact that he was going to such lengths to save the life of his slave reveals the compassion of this soldier and his willingness to reach out to JESUS in behalf of his slave. GOD knows the hearts of all and GOD knew that this was a moment in the life of the centurion for his salvation.

The centurion was under authority from Herod Antipas who was located in another place, yet his authority extended to him. He recognized that JESUS was under the authority of GOD located in Heaven and GOD’S authority would extend to JESUS. Was JESUS real or a fake?  

The centurion did the one thing he thought would be the most effective in getting JESUS to heal his slave. He swallowed his military pride and pleaded with JESUS through the Jewish leaders he had commissioned to represent him. JESUS agreed to go to the slave and heal him.

This meant that JESUS would have to go into the house of the Gentile. Which was more important to keep the law or to heal the centurion’s servant? JESUS did not hesitate. JESUS went. This was a teaching moment for both the Jewish leaders and the Gentiles.

[Let’s read Luke 10:6-8:

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.

We are all sinners and in need of salvation. JESUS considered all humans worthy and that is why HE gave HIS life that all that place their faith in HIM will have eternal life and be born-again into the family of GOD. JESUS is willing to go wherever HE is invited.

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.

The ultimate authority is the spoken word and unquestionable proof of that authority.

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."]

The true heart of the centurion was revealed. The centurion had great faith and trust in JESUS. His faith in JESUS being under the authority of GOD was revealed and would be confirmed. JESUS did not have to physically touch his servant but only to speak the request to GOD and it would be done. WOW!

Since the passion of JESUS and HIS ascension into Heaven, HE intercedes for us. HE does not have to be physically present to respond to our requests. Our part is to trust in HIM. That means HE decides how best to respond. Our part is to trust HIS decision.

[Let’s read Luke 7:9-10:

9 Jesus heard this and was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following Him, He said, "I tell you, I have not found so great a faith even in Israel!"

This was a teaching moment for the crowd of spectators both Jews, followers of JESUS, Gentiles and skeptics. This will be the first time in the ministry of JESUS that HE did not touch a person to heal them. This event opened the door to reveal to the Gentiles and to the Jewish community that the Gentiles were included in GOD’S gift of salvation and eternal life through faith in JESUS.

10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

As the old saying goes, “proof of the pudding is in the eating.” JESUS was willing to go into the house of a Gentile but did not have to. If HE had the Jews would have likely used it against HIM. But by HIM not going it taught an even stronger lesson to both the Jews and the Gentiles; JESUS was under the authority of GOD as evidenced by HIS spoken word and the resulting healing. GOD spoke the world into existence and JESUS spoke and the centurion’s servant was healed and restored from death’s door.]

How do you view JESUS? Is HE a man or your savior?

Blessings!!!