Matthew 8:1-22; Mark 1:32-44, 4:35-41; Luke 7:1-10, 8:26-39
Summary: Matthew, Chapter 8 describes the power of the Lord Jesus to heal the sick, cast out demons, and show that following Him involves a cost that few are willing to pay.
Matthew 8: 1-4 – Jesus Cleanses a Leper
Chapter 13 of the book of Leviticus gives instructions on handling the disease of leprosy. Leprosy was a slow, lingering form of death on whoever caught it, with one of the consequences being permanently isolated from friends, family, and society. The leper in this story took a huge risk in approaching the Lord Jesus, but he was desperate for healing, and he knew that Jesus was the only source of hope he had. This leper risked being stoned to death for approaching anyone in public, but he was willing to take that risk if it meant being freed from a disease that literally caused one’s flesh to fall off.
He approached Jesus in a gesture of respect and reverence and asked Him if He was willing to make him clean. Jesus demonstrated His compassion and love for this poor soul by not only touching him but healing him completely of the disease. The sores were gone, and his flesh was whole again.
Jesus instructed him to follow the Law of Moses and go to the priest for examination and validation that he was completely healed. Jesus also told the man not to tell anyone what had happened. Why?
This should have been an opportunity for the LORD to show more people His ability to do wonders and perhaps open the eyes of many to see that He was the Promised Messiah. All throughout the Gospels, we read of the power of Jesus to physically heal people and raise them from the dead, but this was not the primary reason for which He came. We can be delivered of physical ailments, but if we do not address the issue of our souls and where we go when we take our last breath, then we miss the point of Jesus’ mission. He came to heal us of the disease of sin (Isaiah 53:4-6; Romans 5:6-11, 6:23) and give us eternal life (John 3:16, 14:6; Acts 4:12).
The bodies we currently have will turn to dust but will be resurrected, either to enjoy the bliss of heaven or the horrors of a very real hell (John 5:28-29; Hebrews 9:27: Revelation 20:11-15). Jesus wants true followers and not a bunch of curiosity seekers.
vv. 5 -13 – The Healing of the Centurion’s Servant (also recorded in Luke 7:1-10)
As Jesus entered the town of Capernaum, He was met by a Roman centurion (or his representative, according to Luke. The point is that this soldier was in need of a touch from God, no matter how he approached Jesus). This soldier was a Gentile, someone who had been reared in a pagan environment where the worship of many gods was common. Yet, this centurion knew that there was something special about Jesus. Here was someone who actually heard and responded to the man’s request, unlike the silent status of deities who were at best indifferent to the plight of mortals according to Graeco-Roman mythology. It is reasonable to assume that while living in the region of Judea, he came to recognize the God of Israel as being the true and living God.
The centurion (or his representative) told Jesus about his servant, whom the family loved and treated as one of their own. Jesus shows His compassion by offering to go to his house and heal the servant. The centurion believed that he was unworthy to have the LORD enter his home. Perhaps he had witnessed Jesus do a mighty work or heard Him teach and knew then that He possessed true authority. The centurion also pointed this out in his life as well. Jesus shows amazement at the faith of this man and declares that He had not witnessed this in Israel from His own people.
This is a rebuke to Israel for their unbelief. They should have known better, considering their history and how God had done mighty works on their behalf. Jesus said that there would be people worldwide who would fellowship with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. The sons of the kingdom, His own people, would be shut out in darkness. This happened when the nation rejected Him as Messiah. He then declared that the servant was healed because of the centurion’s faith and humbleness. This shows that anyone can come to Jesus in faith despite their background, nationality, education, or status. He offers salvation to everyone (Matthew 11:28-30; John 10:28-30).
vv. 14-22 -Healing the Sick and the Cost of Following Jesus
Matthew gives a brief description of the healing of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. Perhaps the apostle had told this story many times, and it did not warrant a lot of detail. The healing is mentioned here as a reminder of the love, power, and compassion of our LORD. By first healing a leper, then the servant of a Roman soldier, and a woman, Jesus was dealing with those people who were either excluded from or considered unimportant according to the prejudice of many in Israel.
He had been uncontaminated by being in contact with leprosy and other diseases and was not bound by the narrow-mindedness of His people. He receives those whom the world tends to despise, healing all who came to Him in accordance with the prophecy of Isaiah 53:4-5.
Matthew now turns our attention to what might be considered the “aftermath” of what the people had witnessed and whether Jesus was worth the effort and dedication to give themselves over to His authority and work. As He prepared to leave Capernaum, a scribe approached Him and said that he would follow Jesus wherever He went. This declaration was probably based on emotions fueled by what Jesus had said and done that day.
This was an example of speaking before thinking everything through. To follow Jesus, you risked the possibility of losing everything, including material possessions and contact with family and friends. Jesus brought the scribe to his senses by telling him that while animals have their places of rest and dwelling, Jesus had no place where He could lay His head. Was this man ready for such a commitment?
The next potential “disciple” requested that he go to bury his father before he can commit to following the LORD. Jesus’ reply sounds harsh, but it needs to be explained in terms of Jewish social life. In Israel, it was the practice to bury someone on the day they died. If the man had to bury his father, he would not be talking with Jesus at that moment but instead be at home preparing the body for burial and providing care for his immediate family. What this man wanted to do was to wait until his father had died, take care of family obligations, and then follow the LORD. This could have been months or years in the making. He wanted to follow Jesus when it was convenient for him. That would not do, as Jesus calls anyone who is serious about committing their lives to Him to do so with total obedience and devotion.
Throughout history, many followers of Jesus did sacrifice all to follow Him, often at the cost of their lives. Some have been blessed to where they have used their fortunes and talents to advance the kingdom of God. The point is that when anyone gives their life over to the Lord Jesus, it is at that point where He OWNS us, and we are to obey His commandments no matter what the world or our own rebellious nature might do or say otherwise (Luke 14:25-33).
The question is whether or not you are willing to bow to Him now and surrender your life to Him (2 Corinthians 6:2) or remain in your stubborn and rebellious condition (Proverbs 29:1). Time and opportunity are running out. Where do you stand with Him?
In our next study, we will look at the power of Jesus over nature and evil in verses 23-34.