Jesus Over Sickness: The Power of the Kingdom
Matthew: The King and His Kingdom • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 41:44
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· 12 viewsJesus’ grace has the power to heal the sick, restore the lame, and usher in the authoritative kingdom for those who come in faith.
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5 When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him,
6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.”
7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.
9 For I too am a man under authority, with 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.”
10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.
11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,
12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
14 And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever.
15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him.
16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.
17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”
Jesus’ grace has the power to heal the sick, restore the lame, and usher in the authoritative kingdom for those who come in faith.
Jesus’ grace has the power to heal the sick, restore the lame, and usher in the authoritative kingdom for those who come in faith.
Remember, we saw last week that Jesus came down from the sermon on the mountain and begins demonstrating his authority over all things.
If we don’t keep this in mind, we will begin to think of Jesus kind of like a magician of sorts.
He is NOT merely a miracle worker.
But the miracles point to…
17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”
Matthew presents his gospel categorically.
He especially focuses in on Jesus’ authority over sickness and disease.
Jesus’ healings are all demonstration of his authority over sickness and disease.
A Centurion’s life in Israel.
A Centurion’s life in Israel.
Jesus interacts with two characters after the sermon on the mount.
A Centurion & a Leper
Both were despised by the Jews.
5 When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him,
6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.”
Centurions were viewed as enemies of the Jews.
Centurions were viewed as enemies of the Jews.
Centurion’s were generally Roman citizens.
Matthew wants us to remember he is NOT a Jew.
The word centurion means to command approximately 100 men.
He was NOT a Jew.
He was a high ranking officer within the army that was oppressing the Jews.
Respect for Soldiers in our society.
People typically have high regard for police officers and other service men and women.
Centurion’s were despised because they would often take advantage of people.
When speaking with John the Baptist about repentance for a soldier, John says…
“Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”
Centurions were viewed as enemies of the Jews.
They acted on behalf of the Roman government.
They were seen as enemies of the Jews because they would often oppress Jews.
Centurions were instruments of a “godless empire.”
Centurions were instruments of a “godless empire.”
Centurions were also seen as instruments of the Roman empire.
The Roman empire was generally viewed as a godless state that opposed and oppressed the Jews.
They were typically viewed with this negative light.
This particular Centurion though is described elsewhere as being beloved by the Jewish leaders.
In Luke’s gospel, Luke takes pains to show this Centurion as beloved by the Jewish leaders.
“He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.”
But Matthew gives no attention to this detail.
Matthew is highlighting the Centurion’s ethnicity and faith.
This paradoxical reality is a Gentile that believes upon the Lord Jesus.
A Centurion’s Expectation of Jesus by faith.
A Centurion’s Expectation of Jesus by faith.
(Matthew 8:7-10)
6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.”
He understood his desperation.
He understood his desperation.
This man is desperately in need on behalf of another, “his slave” or “his personal servant.”
How will Jesus interact with this man?
7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
Notice the affection and tenderness of our Lord.
People that society regard as a threat.
People that society see as an “enemy”
Jesus extends grace and healing.
It would be surprising to see the way Jesus interacts with him.
But whats even more surprising is how he responds to Jesus.
What about the person who isn’t healed?
If you’ve been around any prosperity Gospel teaching, they will say things like
“God’s desire is not that she would be sick!”
“If you are sick, it’s because there’s a problem in you!”
“If you’re still sick, it must be because you have unconfessed sin your life!”
This is a gross teaching.
Jesus is not presenting his ministry as though all sickness everywhere ought to be removed.
To take someone who is under sickness or affliction and tell them that there’s something wrong in them is a gross abuse and misunderstands this text.
His response to Jesus actually makes Jesus marvel at him.
Matthew 8:8 (ESV)
8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.
He understood his own unworthiness.
He understood his own unworthiness.
This man's humility is remarkable.
A man that rules over other men in his military status.
Humble himself before Jesus of Nazareth.
“I am not worthy to have you under my roof!”
This military man sees his own frailty and unworthiness in comparison to Jesus.
It was high honor in those days to have anyone in your home.
This man's highest honor is not even worthy to have Jesus be a part of.
This man's highest form of respect, still falls short.
11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
This non-Israelite SEES by faith.
This non-Israelite SENSES his own unworthiness by faith.
More importantly, this Roman Centurion SEES the worthiness of Jesus by faith!
Personal Worship
We talk about being a Gospel Loving people.
We value Gospel Clarity and letting the gospel shine forth…
But when it comes to our personal worship.
I wonder, what do you think undermines your personal worship?
Maybe it’s time commitment?
Maybe it’s your own struggle against sin?
The Christian is not one who sees their own worthiness.
The exact opposite is true.
The Christian is first one who knows their utter unworthiness and inability for anything good.
This man's sense of unworthiness is actually what qualifies him to come to Jesus.
As Isaiah says,
1 “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
The emptiness and unworthiness that a person has is actually what qualifies them to come unto Jesus.
If this centurion would have stood back and pontificated upon his worthiness, it would've actually hindered him from coming to Jesus.
Application for Unbelievers
If you're unbeliever here today, I wanna talk to you for a second.
The thing that keeps you back from coming to Jesus is not knowledge.
It's not unanswered questions.
It's not past “church hurt” though there really probably was people who have wronged you.
It's not the witness of other hypocritical Christians.
It is too high of a regard for yourself.
You have yet to see your own unworthiness.
Growth in Grace in the Christian Life
The same thing is true for any growth of grace in the Christian life.
The Christian life is not an ascending ladder of trying harder to follow Jesus.
It's quite the opposite.
Christian, the thing that keeps you from growing in grace is not your neediness.
It’s NOT even your struggle against sin.
It’s NOT your battle with the devil that keeps you from growing in grace.
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
It IS your own regard for your dignity.
It IS your own sense of worthiness that keeps you from growing in grace.
There are no dignified people in the kingdom.
There are no "adults" in the kingdom.
There are only people who buy faith receive the Lord Jesus like little children.
There are only those who know they're neediness and their own unworthiness to be received.
It isn't merely that this man sees his own unworthiness.
It's also that he sees the authority and the worthiness of the son of God.
Matthew 8:8 (ESV)
8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.
He understood the authority of Jesus’ Word.
He understood the authority of Jesus’ Word.
This Centurion sees the strength and authority of the Lord Jesus.
He sees the authority of his word to bring healing.
Notice with what high regard the Centurion thinks of the Lord Jesus’s authoritative word.
“Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.
The Centurion see the POWER of the Jesus’ Word.
He sees the AUTHORITY of His Word.
Listen to the example he gives…
9 For I too am a man under authority, with 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.”
Example of Authority
Let’s say you’re out driving.
And pretend you’re driving a little too fast.
If a state trooper decides to pull you over for speeding, and you comply, everything is fine.
Now what would happen if you thought,
“I don’t have to listen to this state trooper! I can do whatever I want!”
Refusing to comply with that officer means more than just not listening to him.
It means that you’re refusing to abide by the rules and legislation much higher than that officer.
We don’t think this way, but disobeying a police officers is like disobeying the governors orders.
The same thing is true for people in the military.
If a sergeant gives orders to a private under him, then for the private to disobey, it’s not only disobeying the sergeant but he is disobeying the commander-in-chief as well.
This is the same kind of argument the Centurion uses here. (D.A. Carson)
It’s important because the implication of his argument is:
Jesus, you’re under God’s authority and You speak on His behalf.
He recognizes the utter authority of the Lord Jesus over his life.
He sees himself as helplessly under his authority.
“Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.
This centurion believes that even sickness is under Jesus’s authority.
This man believes that Jesus reigns over disease.
He believes that Jesus rules over the demonic and the darkness.
Don't miss here what the centurion is saying.
“Sickness is subject to you, Jesus!”
“The spiritual realm is subject to you, Jesus!”
“You have authority over all of these things!”
“Sickness is under obligation to obey you!”
The centurion understands the absolute sovereignty of the Lord Jesus.
If Jesus doesn't have all authority, this would be a really good time to tell him,
“I'm actually not who you think I am!”
“I don't have the ability to do that!”
But what does Jesus tell him?
10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.
13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
Jesus’ Expanding Kingdom in Power Over Sickness.
Jesus’ Expanding Kingdom in Power Over Sickness.
(Matthew 8:10-17)
Jesus is amazed.
In all of Israel, He's never found one with such faith.
Yet here is a Roman soldier that exemplifies faith.
Trusting that Jesus is able and worthy enough to command sickness and all spiritual realms.
The word spoken from the Son of God in power healed the servant of the Centurion.
Jesus’ authoritative Word over sickness.
Jesus’ authoritative Word over sickness.
But it’s what Jesus says before He heals the servant with a word I want to draw attention to…
It wasn't become this Centurion deserved it.
It wasn't because the Centurion was wise enough or strong enough.
It was because the Lord showed mercy to an unworthy man in that Centurion.
11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,
12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Jesus authenticates the faith required for the Messianic banquet.
Jesus authenticates the faith required for the Messianic banquet.
Isaiah’s prophecy about the Messianic Banquet.
6 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.
7 And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations.
8 He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.
9 It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”
The mountain of the LORD is Mount Zion or Jerusalem.
God promises here to renew and restore humanity for His glory.
He will conquer all of His enemies and make a new dwelling for the people of God.
Around the banquet table of the New Kingdom.
You’ll find an unlikely guest: this Roman Centurion.
This Roman soldier exemplified the kind of faith necessary to sit at the Messianic banquet.
The kind of faith that the religious leaders need in order to come near.
11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,
12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
“The sons of the kingdom” are those who are Jews by birth.
They are those who Jesus also prophesied will reject Him (Matthew 21:33-44, 22:1-14).
43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.
It's the same reality that Paul picks up on later.
He explains why the Gentiles have come to receive a righteousness from God that is by the mercy of God.
Instead of the Jews that sought to obtain it by the works of the law (Romans 9:30-32).
30 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith;
31 but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law.
32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works.
The “sons of the kingdom” here are Jews who thought their background was good enough.
They thought their circumcision was enough.
They thought their obedience was enough.
28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical.
29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter.
Those who are invited to the Messianic banquet are those who by faith have been changed.
Those who are invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb are those who receive the declaration of “righteous!” by faith.
Like this Centurion.
Not because of our ethnicity.
Not because of your background.
But by the declaration of “righteous” before God on the basis grace in Messiah Jesus.
This Roman soldier exemplified the kind of faith necessary to sit at the Messianic banquet.
The kind of faith that the religious leaders need in order to come near.
The kind of faith that brings nothing.
Expository Thoughts on Matthew Matthew 8:1–15: Miraculous Healing of a Leprosy, a Palsy, and a Fever
To believe Christ’s power and willingness to help, and to make a practical use of our belief, is a rare and precious gift.
Expository Thoughts on Matthew Matthew 8:1–15: Miraculous Healing of a Leprosy, a Palsy, and a Fever
Faith in Christ appears a small and simple thing to the children of this world. They see in it nothing great or grand. But faith in Christ is most precious in God’s sight, and like most precious things, is rare. By it true Christians live. By it they stand. By it they overcome the world. Without this faith no one can be saved.
Jesus affirms His power over sickness.
Jesus affirms His power over sickness.
14 And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever.
15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him.
16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.
All of the region brought their sick to the Lord Jesus.
And they were healed.
There has been a question lurking under the surface of last week’s sermon and this one as well.
What about the person who isn’t healed?
We must understand the healing ministry of Jesus as a sign that the kingdom of God has truly come in the person of Christ.
But that does not guarantee that every person in this life is healed.
To make such a guarantee is erroneous to what the New Testament teaches.
A great example of this is seen in the apostle Paul.
7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.
He describes the “thorn in the flesh” as a “messenger of Satan” sent to keep him from being conceited.
It’s very unclear what this thorn exactly is, but many contend that it was some sort of physical ailment.
Possibly his sight.
Possibly a health concern.
Possibly a physical body concern because of the way he uses the word “in the flesh.”
8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
If you are dealing with chronic illness today, I want you to take courage in this reality: That God does not waste your suffering.
That God has a purpose in the weaknesses that we bear.
And the promise of resurrection is what the believer clings to.
God will one day eradicate all sickness.
He will one day eradicate all disease.
But between now and then may we echo what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:10
10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Jesus’ grace has the power to heal the sick, restore the lame, and usher in the authoritative kingdom for those who come in faith.
Jesus’ grace has the power to heal the sick, restore the lame, and usher in the authoritative kingdom for those who come in faith.
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
The outer man is not guaranteed for today.
17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
