Jesus the Healer: Our Compassionate King

Introduction

[Slide, Title] Attention: Have you ever been helpless?

Maybe you were helpless to do something for yourself or maybe you were helpless to aide a loved one? It's a terrible feeling!

And yet a state that we humans are in more often than we realize...

Big Picture: When Jesus traveled through Israel He met many helpless people.

Last week we looked at the end of Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mt.,” considering Jesus as the ultimate Teacher and Preacher

This week we are picking up right after that looking at “Jesus the Healer: Our Compassionate King”

Jesus said some pretty bold things in the Sermon in the Mt...

Some hearers may have thought, "Who does He think He is, claiming things like this?"

Sure, Jesus spoke with authority, but did He really have authority?

Words without action are rather suspect!

And so immediately after this sermon Matthew shares with us how Jesus demonstrated His kingly, divine, messianic authority in many powerful ways--especially through healing the helpless!

Thesis: In this I hope that you will better understand the majesty and beauty of Jesus, in that...

[Slide, Thesis] Jesus heals with compassion and authority

In this we see the beautiful pairing of Jesus' ultimate authority with His supreme compassion

Context: How do we see this is Mt.?

Matthew 8-9 shares 3 sets of 3 miracle stories

The miracles demonstrate Jesus’ authority over illness, nature, spiritual powers, & even life and death.

These 3 miracles sets are separated with teachings and examples of the cost of discipleship, which we will look at on another day.

Matthew presents these stories as supporting evidence to Jesus’ claim as the Saving Messiah King introduced to us at Christmas

[6 Slides, Verses] Verses: Now, please join me in Matthew 8:1-17 as we see this very thing...

Matthew 8:1–17 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. 9 For I too am a man 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.” 10 Hearing this, Jesus was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with so great a faith. 11 I tell you that many will come from east and west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 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. 14 Jesus went into Peter’s house and saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 So he touched her hand, and the fever left her. Then she got up and began to serve him. 16 When evening came, they brought to him many who were demon-possessed. He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick, 17 so that what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: He himself took our weaknesses and carried our diseases.

Transition: Indeed, "He himself took our weaknesses and carried our diseases" & in this you can see that...

Jesus Heals with Compassion

[Slides, MP1a] Explain: Let us first consider the recipients of Jesus’ healing power, Who did Jesus heal?

Recipients: The leper, centurion’s servant, aged woman, demon-possessed, & sickly

And when you look in later verses, you also see that he healed a Gentile demoniac, a paralytic, a chronically hemorrhaging woman, a dead young girl, two blind men, & a mute!

High & low class, men & women, Jews & gentiles, citizens & foreigners, civilians & military servants, & sinners of all types...

[MP1b] A common theme of the recipients of Jesus’ compassionate healing—most of these individuals were outcasts of that time!

Perhaps sometimes we feel we could relate!

It was those who knew they needed healing & humbly came to Him that received this!

Manner of healing: But with this, let's also consider the matter of His healing, How did Jesus heal people?

[MP1c] It was intensely personal!

So often He touched the untouchable!

Jesus touched the feverish mother of Peter, although many men would not touch women outside of their family, for fear of ceremonial uncleanliness and the appearance of impropriety

Jesus touched the leper

Although none would touch such people both for fear of catching their condition & also becoming ceremonially unclean—

Interestingly, instead of the leper’s uncleanliness infecting Jesus, Jesus’ cleanliness ‘infected’ the leper!

And just imagine how long it had been since this leper had felt such gentleness!

And realize that He didn’t need to do this… He could have simply spoken a word!

Touch was an important part of Jesus’ ministry

[MP1d] He gets close to the hurting & needy, offering His compassionate touch!

He was even willing to enter the home of the outcasts & be associated with them!

Although it is not clear in this passage, in Luke’s parallel version of this account Jesus with the Centurion (Luke 7), Jesus was coming to enter this Gentile’s house, something unlawful for the Jews (by their customs)

Jesus actually spent so much time at the houses of outcasts that His enemies began to gossip about Him, calling Him “...a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!...” (Matthew 11:19)

He did not fear what others would say about Him, He showed them great compassion!

[MP1e] Furthermore, do you see the willingness of our God here?

Too often we view God as cold & distant, and sometimes we pray as though we have to convince Him to care for us!

Yet here, through Jesus, God introduces Himself to us as a compassionate God who is close to us in our pain & actually wants to heal us!

Although admittedly He doesn’t always do it in the way or the time that we want!

Now, let’s consider one last element of Jesus’ healing--

Purpose of healing: Why did Jesus heal people?

Jesus’ compassion was not merely demonstrated through physical healing…

Actually, Jesus’ physical healing was the lesser of a greater healing that He offered!

Greater than physical wounds are the spiritual wounds that Jesus heals

[MP1e] Jesus healed people physical to lead to their spiritual healing!

Matthew’s Old Testament prophetic quote at the end of this passage actually highlights this truth…

This quote is from Isaiah 53:4, & within that same passage we find these words, (Isaiah 53:5-6, 11-12)

“he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him,” (v5)

“the Lord has punished him for the iniquity of us all” (v6)

“my righteous servant will justify many, and he will carry their iniquities.” (v11)

“he bore the sin of many and interceded for the rebels” (v12)

The physical healing that Jesus provided was an arrow to the deeper spiritual healing that He offers

In Matthew 9:1-8, we even see Jesus first this spiritual healing to a paralytic..

Only to offer physical healing as evidence that He could also heal spiritually!

Transition: With that, let’s go to our final point for today—

Jesus heals with compassion & Jesus heals with…what?

Jesus Heals with Authority

[Slide, MP2a] Explain: To a degree this is an easy point to consider, but the deeper we dig, the more challenging it becomes!

[MP2b] Jesus has the authority to heal anything!

The leper demonstrated an understanding of this when...

He “came up and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”” (v2)

The Gentile centurion demonstrated an understanding of this when he said…

“..I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority...” (vv8-9)

Here we see Jesus’ authority over our physical well-being

In later verses we see Jesus demonstrating authority over the natural elements & even demonic power!

[MP2b] Jesus is the king of kings, but His authority actually reaches over all creation…

When you pair Jesus’ authority with His compassion, it brings up the difficult point...

Why does Jesus not heal everything or simply all good people?

The age-old western challenge, “Why does a good God let bad things happen to good people?"

You see, while Jesus has the authority to heal anything, it is also true that...

[MP2c] Jesus has the authority to not heal!

Jesus is not a cosmic gum-ball machine, where you put in a measured item & out pops exactly what you want!

As we have free will, in an even great way, the Almighty God has free will!

Remember what God shares in Isaiah 55:8-9,

Isaiah 55:8–9 CSB

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways.” This is the Lord’s declaration. 9 “For as heaven is higher than earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

The challenge for us ultimately comes to trusting our God.

Not that, “We trust Him to do what we want.” that is to subject His will to our own…

[MP2d] But rather this, “We trust in God’s compassion and promises.”

When considering promises like Romans 8:28,

Romans 8:28 CSB

28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

Do we trust that He is fulfilling these...

…even when we can’t see the result?

…even when we have experienced great loss?

Do we trust Him to truly be good & just? Gracious & righteous?

Honestly for some Christians this is one of the most challenging elements of personal spiritual growth!

[MP2e] But it comes down to this: We must submit our will to His own.

Paul demonstrated this well in 2 Corinthians 12:6-10 when he shares how three times he “pleaded with the Lord” that then “thorn" in his flesh, the tormenting “messenger of Satan,” would leave him

Paul trusted in the compassion of God,

He knew the authority of God,

But he also humbled himself like the leper of our verses this morning…

“Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

Perhaps some of you have even already considered Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane where He prays to God the Father (Luke 22:42),

Luke 22:42 CSB

42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

And so may we humble ourselves before Jesus—

trusting in His compassion,

appealing to His authority,

but also submitting to His will & learning to trust Him—

even (& especially!) when it doesn’t make sense.

And in such dark & trying times, never forget our compassionate God’s promises--

Hold to them with unwavering strength & earnestness

Remember that in our times of growth on earth...

Things will not always make sense...

And each of us will experience great losses, ultimately even the loss of our own lives.

[MP2f] But, as Christians we have this living hope (1 Peter 1:3-12), the confident expectation that we will each receive ultimate healing in Christ!

May God give us the grace to do this very thing!

Transition: Now, let’s start to wrap this up…

Conclusion

[Slide, Conclusion-a] Reiterate: Jesus heals with compassion and authority

In His compassion, His healing knows no limits—

The most despised outcast can receive His grace

And even to such people, He draws very close with His touch, entering our homes

And the physical healing He offers has a greater goal—to bring us to His greater spiritual healing power!

And He has complete authority in healing!

No ailment, no affliction, no suffering is too great for His healing power!

And yet with His authority, sometimes He chooses to not heal...

At least not in the way or in the time that we want

And such times put our faith to test in such a way that can bring exceptional spiritual growth in our lives!

Apply: So, what does this all mean for us? First let us consider…

How do we approach Jesus for healing?

[Con-b] Humility

This was demonstrated so well by the leper & centurion!

[Con-c] Let us also come to Jesus recognizing our helplessness, our complete need for Him!

Fall before His feet, humble yourself before Him, seek His grace physically & even more so spiritually!

Understand your own equality of need with the despised and outcasts that Jesus spent time with.

[Con-d] And recognize Jesus' authority in your life and family

Sometimes He doesn’t heal…

Will you be humble enough to accept this?

Which of course brings us to another key way to approach Jesus…

[Con-f] Faith & Trust

With this, know the heart of God,

[Con-g] Trust in His closeness & compassion!

He is not distant, on the contrary, He reaches out His hand to touch your life!

Helplessness w/o faith is despair,

[Con-h] True faith is seen in the one who recognizes his/her own helplessness & confidently seeks help from God

Learn from the leper & centurion:

Each knew his own helplessness, but each also trusted in God & confident sought His help!

Will you allow God to grow such faith within you?

But when Jesus does not heal in the time or way that we desire, that is when the true challenge comes!

Allow such seasons to be purifying times in your life,

Drawing out your idols for destruction,

Refining your faith in God

[Con-i] Let us be a humble people of faith, trusting ourselves to God's care, ever-seeking His healing power in all areas of our lives, for our close God cares about these things:

Physically: From broken bones, to chronic pain, to surgery recovery, & beyond—

Earnestly seek God’s healing in this!

Socially: From our broken families, to challenging friendships, to workplace conflict, to our nation’s great need for unity—

Earnestly seek God’s healing in this!

Mentally/emotionally: Whether it is anxiety or depression, repercussions of trauma, or uncontrollable thoughts—

Earnestly seek God’s healing in this!

Spiritually: In all the ways that God calls upon you to grow in godliness—

Earnestly seek God’s healing in this!

Another point to consider…

How do you respond to the healing God provides?

Have you experienced God’s healing power? Physically? Spiritually?

If so, there are key ways that we should respond!

[Con-j] Obedience: Will you respond with obedience? Following what Jesus says?

Let us continue to humble ourselves to live under His authority!

And in this same way, let us be obedient to better share His compassionate heart for all, especially the outcasts!

[Con-k] Service: Will you respond with service? Seeking to honor & glorify Him and that which He loves?

I love the demonstration of this that Peter’s mother-in-law shows! Do you remember what happened there?

“So he touched her hand, and the fever left her. Then she got up and began to serve him” (v15)

May we both have a willingness for this & then eagerly seek to serve Him!

[Con-l] Compassion: Have compassion on all, especially the vulnerable (hurt & needy); And in this, bring people to Jesus!

As Jesus said here, “many will come from east and west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven” (v11)—

Ask that He uses you to usher such people in!

Remember that the centurion didn’t actually come for His own healing… He came on behalf of his servant!

And remember what v16 shared, “When evening came, they brought to him many who were demon-possessed. He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick”

This happened because these individuals humbly trusted in Jesus’ compassion & authority and they had compassion on others!

Will you, also, trusting in Jesus, have such compassion on others?

[Con-m] Humbly trust in Jesus’ compassion & authority; and then, have true compassion on others

From those struggling with anxiety, depression, various mental illnesses, illnesses, or other handicaps; from the unborn or the elderly, from the uneducated to the immigrant, from men and women to all ethnic groups…

Who is God calling upon you to show compassion to?

Compassion on the needy was such a priority of Jesus’ daily life—is it a priority of your own?

Appeal: Jesus heals with compassion and authority

Have you received the spiritual healing He offers? Do you know His closeness?

Are you a humble people of faith who rest in this truth?

Are you willing to...

Get close and personal with those God calls on you to extend His healing hand to?

Touch the untouchable?

Honor the unhonored?

Break social taboos in order to love and care for others?

Risk being associated with the outcasts?

Give in such ways without expecting anything in return?

Earnestly pray bring people to Jesus through your attitudes, actions, words, & prayers?

I pray that you are!

Share Jesus heart, call out to His authority on behalf of a hurt and broken world.

partnering with Him to bring God’s kingdom & God’s will here on earth, as it is in heaven!

Courageously value and care for human life—let it get personal!

Concluding Statement: Pray with me...

"Merciful Father, thank You for Jesus, there Great Physician & Friend of Sinners. Gaurd us with His loving compassion that we might be a conduit of How healing in the lives of others"

Note: Bible Project Video on the Messiah:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dEh25pduQ8