When Unclean Becomes Clean

- Jesus has just finished teaching His disciples with His sermon on the mount

- The sermon turned much of traditional views on their heads

- Jesus is almost immediately presented with the opportunity to show His disciples a living example of all He just told them...

Matthew 8:1–8 CSB

1 When he came down from the mountain, large crowds followed him. 2 Right away a man with leprosy came up and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 3 Reaching out his hand, Jesus touched him, saying, “I am willing; be made clean.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 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 commanded, as a testimony to them.” 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 He said to him, “Am I to come and heal him?” 8 “Lord,” the centurion replied, “I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.

Luke 7:8–9 CSB

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 servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 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.”

Matthew 8:13 CSB

13 Then Jesus told the centurion, “Go. As you have believed, let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that very moment.

- Luke indicates the servant was “dear” to the centurion

- Luke also indicates the centurion was “deserving” of help because of his faith and that he was a friend of the Jewish people, even mentioning he built a synagogue.

1. Jesus is willing to meet needs

2. No one is so unclean that Jesus cannot make them clean

- The leper would have been unclean both physically and symbolically

- The centurion, being a Gentile, would have been considered unclean

- Unclean can also be stated as unworthy, unacceptable, unlike us

3. Faith in Jesus’ authority is key

- The leper was made clean

- The centurion’s servant was healed

- Jesus predicted the Gentile’s coming to salvation and those who ignored Jesus’ authority being condemned

The devil will tell you that you are too bad, too broken, too sick, too whatever… do NOT believe the lie… Trust in Jesus