035: JESUS’ POWER OVER DISEASE

MATTHEW 8:1-4; ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION (ESV)

When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 3 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”

BACKGROUND Matthew transitions to communicate the divinity of Christ and prove His claim to be the true Jewish Messiah. This is done with three sets of three miracles.

Think about it, Jesus just finished teaching the greatest message in human history. He did it in one day, we took 35 weeks to do it. Jesus was exhausted. But Jesus went right to ministry. He showed us the Kingdom is not just preached about, it is on the move.

BEHOLD… A LEPER…

· Lepercy explained

· Old Testament // Leviticus 13

· Cultural Responses to Lepercy

THE GREATEST OF FAITH

· Worship – He knelt

· Lord – He knew his place

· If you will – Genuine humility

· You can – genuine belief

Here is the pinnacle and height of real faith: “Lord I know that you are able. Let your will be done!”

JESUS RESPONDS: I WILL

· Jesus touches the man

· His healing was instant

JESUS TELLS HIM TO OBEY THE OLD TESTAMENT

· Do not tell anyone

· Present yourself to the Priest and follow Moses’ instructions