Jesus’ Willingness to Help

Matthew 8:1-17

In chapters eight and nine of Matthew, the apostle records nine miracles in groups of three. They are divided by Jesus’ teachings on discipleship. Miracles of all sorts are represented from a leper to a servant to a mother-in-law. Why did our Lord perform miracles? He did so out of compassion for man’s needs. They were an addition to His credentials and fulfilled Old Testament prophecies (see Isa. 29:18–19; 35:4–6). But miracles also provided object lessons for the crowds.

This chapter shows Jesus’ willingness to touch a leper, heal a Centurion’s Servant, help Peter’s mother-in-law, calm the sea at His disciples’ pleadings for help, and even willingness to cast out Legion into a herd of swine. All this in contrast to two disciples who were willing to make excuses instead of following Jesus.

Spotless Leper, 8:1-4

▸ Jesus Has a Following

The multitudes follow Jesus down from His sermon on the mount. They are impressed by His teaching and perhaps hope to see a miracle. Jesus did not perform miracles for the purpose of gathering a crowd. The multitudes came by word of mouth.

▸ Jesus Receives Worship from a Leper

Pressing through the crowd and an unclean leper boldly approaches Jesus “and worshiped Him.”

Lepers were outcast from society. They could not enter a synagogue or temple. There was no medical cure, so it was a death sentence.

▸ Jesus Touches a Leper

Jesus could have healed the leper from afar or at a word but He “put out His hand and touched him.” This would have made Jesus unclean according to the Law (Lev. 5:3). But instead of contaminating Himself, he cleansed the leper. Today, over ninety percent of the world’s population are immune to leprosy. Back then it seems as if it were far more contagious.

It may have been a long time since the leper had been touched by another. This shows Jesus’ great compassion. The man would have kept people away by covering his mouth and crying, “Unclean! Unclean!”

▸ Jesus is Willing to Cleanse a Leper

The leper has no doubts about Jesus’ ability to cleanse him. He said to Jesus, “You can make me clean.” The leper only questions whether Jesus will be willing. Jesus said, “I am willing; be cleansed.”

Leprosy is an illustration of sin (Isa. 1:5–6). Sin separates, kills, defiles, etc. Jesus willingly died so He could cleanse of all sin.

▸ Jesus Immediately Heals the Leper

The term “leprosy” comes from the Greek lepros meaning “scaly” The body would become scaly on the arm and face and spread. Jesus would instantly cure all the outward effects of the disease.

▸ Jesus Makes of Request of the Leper

Jesus made a request of him: “See that you tell no one; but go your way.” This was not an uncommon request of Jesus to those He healed (Matt. 8:4, 18; 9:30; Luke 8:56). But he could not help but share his good news with everyone. Today, we are asked by Jesus to share the Good News and not refuse to speak to anyone.

▸ Jesus Encourages the Fulfilling of the Law

Jesus encouraged the man to “show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” He came to fulfill the Law and demonstrated such here. According to Leviticus 14. Two birds were taken. One sacrificed and the other released. Application of the blood was placed on the former leper’s ear and thumb. He was sprinkled seven times and pronounced clean.

Captain Marvel, 8:5-13

Next comes the story about a Centurion, a Roman captain who made Christ marvel at his great faith. It is also recorded in Luke 7:10. There are only two times that the Bible says Jesus marveled at someone. On the other occasion he marveled at their unbelief (Mk. 6:6).

★ Marvelous Authority

A Centurion was in authority over scores of men. He was a man of power who commanded respect and obedience. Polybius, the historian, describes the qualifications of centurions. They must be “seekers after danger as men who can command, steady in action, and reliable; they ought not to be overanxious to rush into the fight; but when hard pressed they must be ready to hold their ground and die at their posts.”

★ Marvelous Love

This Centurion cared about his servant. He was more than just a “living tool.” He also cared about the Jews where he served having built for them a synagogue.

★ Marvelous Reputation

Although he was a foreigner in Capernaum, he had come to be respected by the Jews. Jews and Gentiles normally hated each other. Jews despised the Gentiles, and the Gentiles hated the Jews. Perhaps he had become a proselyte to Judaism. His reputation was of such that the elders of the Jews helped procure help from Jesus.

★ Marvelous Humility

This Roman soldier sent his friends out to Jesus to tell him that he was not worthy that Jesus should come under his roof (Cf. Acts 18:28). The Jews of Capernaum saw this soldier as “worthy” because of his good deeds, but he had seen his own unworthiness. Augustine: “By saying that he was unworthy, he showed himself worthy of Christ’s entering, not within his walls, but within his heart”.

★ Marvelous Faith

There are two instances of faith which are called ”great faith” by Jesus. The other is another Gentile, the Syrophoenician woman (Mt. 5. 15:28; Lk. 4:26). In both cases Jesus healed at a distance.

Our faith must grow and increase (2 Th. 1:3). If it grows, it becomes great. If not, it diminishes in weakness. He came with that perfect confidence which looks up and says, “Lord, I know you can do this.”

★ Marvelous Respect for Authority

The Centurion understood the principle of authority for he was a man who had authority. He was a man who was placed under the authority of his superiors. He was also a man with authority over men.

He felt that the powers of nature were not only subordinate to Jesus but were completely under his power. Christ was able to simply say “Peace be still” or “be cleansed.” An instantaneous cure from a distance is rare among the healing miracles of the Bible.

Charles Spurgeon wrote, “A little faith will bring your soul to heaven; a great faith will bring heaven to your soul.”

Feverish Mother-in-law, 8:14–17

According to Mark (1:21-29) and Luke’s (4:31-38) accounts, the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law took place after the demon was cast out in the synagogue at Capernaum. When they all arrived at Peter’s home, Jesus touched the hand of the fever-stricken mother-in-law, and not only does it go away instantly but her strength is instantly renewed to the point she can get up and serve her guest.

They do not have long to eat supper until news of the event spreads and many come to Peter’s house to by healed.

Matthew uses this occasion to note the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 53:4. Although it is about the Suffering Servant dying for our sins, he applies it to physical healing. Jesus can heal the sick and can heal the sin-sick. Peter quotes this same passage and applies it to spiritual healing (1 Peter 2:24).

– Daniel R. Vess