Signs of the Incarnation

The Signs of the Incarnation Matthew 8:5-17 .

By way of introduction lets read and discuss last weeks text

Matthew 7:28–8:4 “ And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, 29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 8:1 When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. 2 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 3 Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.””

Jesus shows His power/authority every time he comes on the scene. Everything he says and does establishes His right to rule not just as messiah, but king of kings, lord of lords, Almighty God, Prince of Peace.

His healing now, in the salvation he bestows upon us, is another sign. The holy spirit indwelling us, a sign of our salvation, is another testimony that he heals even now!

Now lets pick up and go step by step as we do.

5-13 Authority's sign, 14-17 Messiahs Sign

Jesus presents the signs of his authority and kingship but doesn't reveal who He is even while He does. Its the amazing thing about Christ - that He will take you if you truly take Him. Have you cried out and received the Gift He offers?

Jesus Christ never asks anyone to define his position or to understand a creed, but “Who am I to you?” Jesus Christ makes the whole of human destiny depend on a man’s relationship to himself.

Oswald Chambers (Lecturer and Missionary)

Jesus here shows the Jewish folks and the Gentiles and anyone who wanted a relationship with Him, that they could have it.

5-13 Authority's sign

Matthew 8:5–7 “ Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” 7 And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.””

Luke (hold/turn) reads quite a bit different, and I wanted you to read it today because we need to see that it compliments, not contradicts. Now when you hear something different, yell. Now I really wanna focus on whats different, not just written different. Is the detail the same is what we need to read.

keep your finger on matt 8 and luke 7 -

Luke 7:1–5 “Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. 2 And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. 3 So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5 “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.””

Both mention Capernahum (Map 01) A city on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum means “the house (or, town) of Nahum”; however, the identity of this Nahum is unknown. In New Testament times, Capernaum was a center of commerce.Gospel writers refer to it as Jesus’ “own city” (Matt 9:1) because after leaving Nazareth, He went to live in Capernaum, for at least a time (Matt 4:13).

It was (and is) a Jewel of Israel. It beautiful countryside still blows everyone away. It was on the road to the damascus and a strategic outpost for Rome, and well liked for vacationing Romans.

We see here no elders in Luke, they begged Him earnestly

Why? Why plead with Jesus to heal his servant (slave). Because he was dear to him. This is a real term of affection.

Remember, slaves could become almost family - and would often join themselves to a family for life.

Matthew 8:8 “ The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.”

Now, Luke reads: Luke 7:6–7 “ Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.”

Again, note, Luke tells us what? He sent friends. But possibly not elders of the Jews (synagogue) check the screens, lets look real quick at the synagogue from the first century in Capernaum. These are the ruins - (02-05 Caper)

Notice, the Centurion doesn't deem himself worthy. Not that Jesus isn't worth his time. He learns who Jesus is from the scriptures and testimony of who He is. And like the prodigal says, Luke 15:19 “ and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’” and when he repents - Luke 15:21 “ And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’” He pleads for the mercy of a savior.

Matthew 8:9 “ For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.””

Luke 7:8 “ For I also am a man placed under authority, having 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.””

Any difference? Nope, very similar.

This and the statement that comes later is a sign to them all of who he is, and we see in Matthew 8:17 “ that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.”” which is a quote from? Isaiah 53:4 “ Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.”

We’ll talk about it in a moment.

That Jesus has absolute authority over creation, sickness, eternity. And when we see Him do this, we know He will save us because He said He would!

This impresses even Jesus

Matthew 8:10–11 “ When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! 11 And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus isn't just saying this for a philosophical ideology.

This mans faith and knowledge of who Jesus is (complete authority) Jesus in his humanity seems earnestly surprised! But really, He marvels - ethaumase - astonished in wonderment. Like when we get super enthused about something. Even if you know an even is coming its cool to see it happen.

Here Jesus reminds us that there is a heaven, and birth is not what gets you there. Political affiliation, politics, ethnicity, none of it is a factor. Repent, Believe, Receive. Thats all.

Jesus refers that the teaching of heaven according to AIJ, and that faith has always been the call. To any who would cast their trust on Jesus - Mark 9:23 “ Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.””

Matthew 8:12 “ But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.””

Wait, sons of kingdom? Matthew 21:43 “ “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.”

This is definitely talking about the Nation of Israel. Does this mean Jews cannot be saved? No, its open to all. Salvation is of Christ, not men. The nation that rejects their messiah, has no messiah or claim to promises made.

Israel had the Law and were accountable for it. Its why God chose them, to reveal to the world His salvation and grace and patience. Romans 1:16–17 “ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”” They were privy to the truth. And any living in that truth do so and have always done so by faith.

Exoteron skotos - outer darkness. The term is used 3x in Matthew, none in the other Gospels. in Matthew 22:13 “ Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” and in Matthew 25:30 “ And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” most would say this is hell. The Location for all who reject the gift.

If there is no actual conscience hell (outer darkness) the how or why can they be weeping and gnashing their teeth?

Luke reveals a real cost - Luke 13:22–30 “ And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ 26 then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ 27 But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. 29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. 30 And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.””

This isn't just a metaphysical suffering for rejection - this is Hell. And it comes for all who reject Jesus and live only for their flesh, the world and the devil.

Matthew 8:13 “ Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.”

The centurion, a man of war, a citizen of the empire of which was the oppressor of the Jewish nation. One that was often hated, yet respected, even beloved among some of the jews in Capernaum. Jesus didn’t obey Him, He put the authority this man knew He had, on full display for him.

Only twice did Jesus marvel in the Gospels. Here at the faith of a gentile - and in Mark 6:6 “ And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.” at the lack of faith in His own people

John 1:11 “ He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.”

Jesus literally tells him, like the Lord spoke to Naaman - the general and second in command of syria in 2 Kings 5:1–27. He was a gentile, who obeyed by faith the testimony of a Jewish slave girl, who told him of the prophet in Israel. This gentile obeyed, dipped seven times in the dirty Jordan and was cleaned.

14-17 Messiahs Sign

Next time I’m here with you, we’ll go through this together Lord willing. But we cry Maranatha, come quickly Lord.

Lets read the text together to be ready:

Matthew 8:14–17 “ Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. 15 So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them. 16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.””

Now, how do we wrap this up? If one says He can heal and he does if one has authority and He does, should we not believe Him? Jesus said in John 5:22–24 “ For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. 24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”

Do you hear Jesus today? He could heal someone that didn't know Him, hear Him, do these things. Do you think He could not save you if you bent down and worshipped Him as your Lord and savior? Today is the day of salvation. Now is the time.