The King Heals

Introduction

The Sermon on the Mount is not just a philosophy lecture given by a social reformer. Nor is it merely the theological speculation of a religious leader. It is a declaration of the kingdom of God and the kingdom way of life, delivered by the King himself. See Matt 7:28-29… Notice the word “authority.”

Authority is the right to act. Power is the ability to act. Will is the desire to act.

Authority without power is an ineffective king.

Power without authority is an illegitimate king.

Authority and power without compassion is an uncaring king.

Authority, power, and compassion together is a good king.

Big Idea

Jesus has the authority, power, and will to cleanse, heal, and deliver.

Matt 8:1-4… Jesus is willing to make us clean.

Exposition

“make me well” vs “make me clean” … “I will; be healed” vs “I will; be clean” … “was healed” vs “was cleansed” … The point is not the healing but the cleansing.

To be unclean was to be disqualified from fellowship with God in his temple and from fellowship with God’s covenant people. (See Lev 11-15.)

Moral — sin

Natural — childbirth

Medical — contagious skin diseases like leprosy

Spiritual — anything related to death, a stage of death, showing the damaging effects of sin

“Lord, if you will” (v. 2)… Jesus touched him and said, “I will” (v. 3)… It may not always be God’s will to immediately heal us from every sickness or disease. But it is always his will to cleanse us and restore us to fellowship with God and his people.

Illustration: Nancy… 1 John 1:9… like a timelapse video of a flower blooming…

Application: When you come to Jesus, you don’t have to wonder if he is willing to cleanse you // forgive you // restore your dignity // welcome you home.

Matt 8:5-13… Jesus has the authority to command our healing.

Exposition

Twice the centurion addressed Jesus as, “Lord,” recognizing his authority. He likely did not understand the full significance of who Jesus was, but he recognized that Jesus was not just another Jewish rabbi.

The centurion didn’t ask Jesus to heal his servant. He came to a superior (Jesus), gave a situation report (my servant is paralyzed and suffering), and awaited orders. Jesus issued the order: “I will come and heal him.” To which the centurion replied: “I’m not worthy to have someone of your status come to my house. If you give the order, I trust it will be carried out.”

The point is not the healing but the command. The centurion understood that Jesus doesn’t just have the power to heal but the authority to command healing.

Illustration: Praying for Kevin, Pray for him to come home… “But I want him to be healed.” … I’m going to heal him here.

Application: The centurion came to Jesus in humility, told Jesus his problem, and trusted what Jesus said. That’s a model for us.

Matt 8:14-17… Jesus has the power to deliver us.

Don’t miss the spiritual warfare here… some of the people oppressed by demons were also sick.

Spiritual attack or demonic oppression can sometimes produce symptoms that mirror physical or mental illness or disability. See Matt 17:14-20… demonic attack or epilepsy? Evil spirits can cause blindness (Matt 12); muteness (Matt 9); seizures, convulsions, foaming at the mouth, and rigidity (Mark 9); physical disability (Luke 13); superhuman strength (Luke 8); mental illness and self-harm (Mark 5).

Spiritual warfare is happening and Jesus is winning. Jesus didn’t just come to heal us but to save us—from our sin and to deliver us from evil (see the Lord’s Prayer).

This is all part of God’s plan, Matt 8:17, quoting Isa 53:4.

Conclusion

Different kinds of kings. Some have authority but no power. They can’t help us. // Some have power but no authority. We can’t trust them. // Some have both authority and power, but they don’t care. They won’t help us. // But Jesus is different. He has the authority, the power, and the compassion to cleanse, heal, and deliver.

If Jesus is really this kind of king, why are we so hesitant to come to him? // Why do we hold back? // Why do we try to clean ourselves up before we approach him? // Why do we try to hide our shame, our struggles, our fears, and our failures? // Why are we afraid to ask for healing, cleansing, or deliverance?

The Roman centurion came to Jesus in humility. He didn’t make demands. He didn’t have his guard up. He didn’t insist that Jesus prove himself. He simply acknowledged Jesus’s authority and trusted Jesus’s word. Matt 8:10…

Faith doesn’t mean we know what Jesus will do. It means we know who Jesus is, and we trust him. Will you put your faith in Jesus today?