Healing Faith

Matthew 8:1-17 Theme: Jesus’ authority and compassion extend to all, regardless of background, status, or condition. Purpose: To show that Jesus has both the power and the willingness to heal physically and spiritually, revealing His identity as the Messiah and Savior.

Introduction:

Matthew 8 begins a new section in the Gospel after the Sermon on the Mount. Here, Jesus doesn’t just speak with authority—He demonstrates it through miraculous healings. This passage shows us who Jesus is: not only a great teacher, but also a compassionate and powerful Savior.

I. Jesus Heals the Outcast (vv. 1–4)

Key Verse: “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” (v. 2)

The Leper’s Faith: Leprosy made one socially and religiously unclean. Yet this man boldly approaches Jesus, believing in His power.

Leprosy was a terrible disease, it was feared and people with it were outcasts from society. They couldn't participate in festivals, temple activities, or even live with their unaffected families. Often they were cast completely out to leper colonies and left alone to die from their disease. Leprosy was transmitted primarily by prolonged touch or respiratory droplets. So people avoided physical contact with lepers. For a leper to ask to be healed isn’t astonishing, that Jesus was willing to reach out and touch him shows Jesus’s love for us and His power over creation and everyone and everything in it.

Jesus made clean what he touched and was not made unclean by anything.

Jesus’ Compassion: “Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him”—an incredible act of mercy and love toward an untouchable.

Immediate Healing: Jesus’ word and touch bring instant healing, showing both His authority and His willingness. Although this scripture refers to actually healing a disease caused by a bacteria, Jesus is just as willing to embrace any sinner in this way and heal them of whatever affliction they may have.

No matter how wretched or repulsive we believe we are, no one is beyond the mercy and love of God.

Command to Obey the Law: Jesus tells the man to follow the Mosaic law and show himself to the priest (Leviticus 14), affirming Jesus’ respect for the Law.

OT Connection: Isaiah 53:4 – The Messiah would bear our infirmities.

II. Jesus Heals the Gentile’s Servant (vv. 5–13)

The Centurion feels unworthy: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof.” (v. 8)

In those days Jews would not associate with gentiles, they didn’t eat with them, visit their homes or allow them into their lives outside of necessary business. This Centurion knew Jesus was a jew and a very powerful prophet with much authority. Its doubtful at the time that the centurion knew that Jesus was the Messiah, the very God incarnate we know Him to be today. But the Centurion knew Jesus could heal his servant with His authority. The Centurion had faith in Jesus’s authority.

Key Verse: “I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” (v. 10)

The Centurion’s Humility: Though a Roman officer, he sees Jesus’ authority as far greater. He knows Jesus can heal with just a word.

Jesus’ Astonishment: The faith of this Gentile stands in stark contrast to the doubt among many Jews. Jesus was searching for people with faith, He was astonished to find a man with the kind of faith this centurion had, a man who wasn’t even Jewish.

Healing from Afar: Jesus heals the servant instantly with a word—demonstrating His power is not limited by distance or ethnicity.

Prophetic Insight: Jesus uses the moment to foretell the inclusion of Gentiles in the Kingdom (v. 11) and the exclusion of some Jews due to unbelief (v. 12).

OT Connection: Isaiah 49:6 – A light to the Gentiles.

III. Jesus Heals the Multitudes (vv. 14–17)

Jesus is a personal healer: Verse 14, and 15 says, “Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. So He touched her hand , and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.”

Jesus is not just a flyby healer who wants to show off His power, Jesus has a personal touch with everyone He heals.

Our response to healing: notice in last part of this verse, it says, “And she arose and served them.” The proper response to being healed by Jesus is to arise and serve Him.

Key Verse: “He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.” (v. 17)

Peter’s Mother-in-Law: Jesus enters a home and personally heals Peter’s relative—showing care for personal, everyday needs.

Evening Healings: Many demon-possessed and sick are brought to Him. Jesus heals them all—no one is turned away.

Fulfillment of Prophecy: Matthew quotes Isaiah 53:4, connecting Jesus’ healing ministry to the Suffering Servant prophecy.

NT Connection: 1 Peter 2:24 – By His stripes we are healed.

Applications:

1. Come to Jesus in Humble Faith, Regardless of Your Condition. Like the leper and the centurion, we must come recognizing our need and trusting in His power and goodness.

2. Jesus’ Grace is for All—Outcasts, Foreigners, and the Common Person. No one is too far gone or too insignificant for Jesus. He heals the leper, honors the Gentile, and serves in a humble home.

3. Jesus Still Has Authority to Heal and Deliver Today. His power and compassion did not end in the first century. Though He may not heal everyone immediately or physically, He always brings healing to the soul for those who trust Him.

Conclusion:

Matthew 8:1–17 presents a Savior who is both powerful and personal. He is not distant—He touches the untouchable, listens to outsiders, and enters ordinary homes. These miracles were not just acts of mercy; they were signs pointing to His identity as the Messiah. Will you come to Him today, in faith, trusting not only in His power, but also in His heart? Whether you're unclean, far off, or weary, Jesus is willing—and able—to make you whole.

What does the healing of the leper reveal about Jesus' authority and compassion?

What is the significance of Jesus instructing the healed leper to show himself to the priest?

How does Matthew 8:1-17 illustrate that Jesus' grace extends to all people, including outcasts and Gentiles?

Why is it important to note that Jesus healed many people in a personal setting rather than in large crowds?

What does the promise of healing in Matthew 8 teach us about Jesus’ character and His willingness to help us?

How does the focus on faith in this passage challenge us to think about our own belief in Jesus' ability to help us?

How does Jesus demonstrate His authority over physical illness and spiritual conditions in this scripture?

How can we apply the lesson of Jesus' compassion towards outcasts in our interactions with marginalized groups today?

What does the response of Peter's mother-in-law to her healing teach us about serving others after receiving help?

What role does faith play in the healings that took place in Matthew 8:1-17?

In what ways does Jesus' healing of Peter's mother-in-law show His personal touch and care for individuals?

What can we learn about humility from the centurion's approach to Jesus for healing?