#1243 Matthew 8 Part 2 Not Worthy Is The Place To Be

 

5 Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”

7 And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”

8 The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And 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 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! 11 And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour. Matthew 8: 5-13 NKJV

Matthew 8: 5-13 NKJV

When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” Luke 7: 1-5

A centurion came to Him - A centurion is an officer in the Roman army who is over 100 men. Luke 7 gives us more insight to this, that he came by way of intermediaries, Jewish elders, who are making his request for him. That itself is fascinating, but I think I will not go so deep into that part until I get to Luke 7. I think within the context of the two passages, and even very clearly in Matthew 8: 10-13, it is safe to say for certain that this man is a gentile, but also quite probably a Jewish proselyte, like Rahab and Ruth. 

Centurion (1543)(Hekatontarches from hekaton = one hundred + archo = to command) means a commander of a hundred soldiers. They were noncommissioned officers who had worked his way up through the ranks. These veteran soldiers maintained discipline and commanded great respect, and were paid 15 times an ordinary soldier’s wage. They were highly motivated, competent soldiers, and generally decent persons. Polybius says "that the centurions were chosen by merit, and so were men remarkable not so much for their daring courage as for their deliberation, constancy, and strength of mind." They were chosen as good leaders, of steady and prudent mind, not prone to take the offensive to start fighting wantonly, but able when overwhelmed and hard-pressed to stand fast and die at their posts. Most of the centurions in the NT are presented in a favorable light - Matt. 8:5; Matt. 8:8; Matt. 8:13; Matt. 27:54; Lk. 7:2; Lk. 7:6; Lk. 23:47; Acts 10:1; Acts 10:22; Acts 21:32; Acts 22:25; Acts 22:26; Acts 23:17; Acts 23:23; Acts 24:23; Acts 27:1; Acts 27:6; Acts 27:11; Acts 27:31; Acts 27:43. MacArthur writes that "Along with the centurion in charge of Jesus’ crucifixion, and Cornelius (Acts 10:44–48), he (THE CENTURION IN OUR PRESENT PASSAGE) became a believer in Jesus Christ." - Precept Austin

30By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days. 31By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient. Hebrews 11: 30-31

My servant is lying at home paralyzed - This would be his slave, and the compassion is beautiful, for under Roman law he is in no way required to provide health care. In fact, a bed ridden servant would be a loss, a burden, and slave owners held their lives in their hands. He has not come to cut his losses, but because he has seen that Christ has the power of God, he has come asking for his friend to be healed. This transcends earthly, human wisdom, which makes available to the centurion a way out, which is pragmatically, to kill his servant or send him away, feed the lions with his corpse. If there is nothing after this life, and if there is no God, then men are not made or fashioned in the image of anything, but this does not seem to be the centurion's ideology. His slave is precious to him. He also addresses Jesus as Lord, which is very telling, as it affirms His sovereignty.

Servant (child, boy, girl)(3816)(pais English - pedo- as in pediatrics, pedobaptism) is translated most often as servant (Lk 1:54, 69; Lk 15:26; Mt. 14:2) but can also refer to young children. BDAG adds this word describes "one who is committed in total obedience to another." The NET Note says that pais is "often used of a slave who was regarded with some degree of affection, possibly a personal servant"As noted above Luke's version uses doulos. It is possible that Matthew's use of the specific word pais is a clue that the servant was a young boy. Slaves in the ancient world, though they may be highly skilled craftsmen or even physicians existed to serve their masters alone. They had no rights as persons, and their lives had little value to society. Cicero once apologized for having a twinge of regret when a slave of his suffered a painful death. IVP Background Commentary gives us an interesting context - "During their twenty or so years of service in the Roman army, soldiers were not permitted to marry. Many had illegal local concubines, an arrangement that the army overlooked and the concubines found profitable. But centurions, who could be moved around more frequently, would be less likely than ordinary soldiers to have such relationships; they often married only after retirement. By ancient definitions, however, a household could include servants, and household servants and masters sometimes grew very close—especially if they made up the entire family unit." - Precept Austin

…6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.… Matthew 5: 6-8

Dreadfully tormented - So he has empathy and sympathy, and not in such a way as it demands someone feel the way someone else feels, or pretend to as many do today, even putting so much on the want and feeling as to see them as the source of truth. His servant is sick to the point of paralysis, and people could sympathize with that and maybe drop a denarius in the bucket towards a cure or the finding of some relief, but this man loves his servant and is grieved, so in the order of sincere empathy, he has seen a man who can command leprosy to be gone, yet as a gentile he is considered an outsider to His circles. Now it's lovely that the man's condition can cause you to feel sympathy, to shed a tear, and then move you to feel pity, and for some that is righteousness, and even their definition of love, "I felt, am nostalgic, I cried, so of course I love them." It's like a participation trophy. The centurion is a man of action however, and so he takes his sympathy, empathy and whatever else, and here provides us with a glorious example of prayer, coming into the presence of the King. The centurion can't heal his servant, Caesar can't, neither can the Jewish elders, but he goes to them to go to Christ, Who is in actuality our emissary before the Father, standing at His righthand. Love has taken up the other man's burden, provided feet to carry it to the great physician, found a way to overcome what he sees as an obstacle, his gentile heritage, his own uncleanness.

1Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.… Galatians 6: 1-3

12This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are My friends if you do what I command you.… John 15: 12-14

I will come and heal him - What? You would come to my house? So it was Jewish tradition that taught that you could not enter the home of a gentile. God's law did not teach this, but rather that you were called to be set apart, not eat what they eat, not given to drunkeness, and not worship their gods, which were no gods at all, only idols. We were all called out from the gentiles, from false religion, from darkness into His glorious light. Now Jesus's disciples' mouths must have dropped to the ground, for they had resentment towards Rome, and remember Roman law required them to carry a Roman soldier's equipment for a mile, but they also looked down upon gentiles in general. 

And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not presume to come to you. Luke 7: 6-7A

I am not worthy - This man is telling the gospel truth, but oddly, the Pharisees, scribes, Sadducees, and elders did not feel this way, not even the disciples yet. People who grow up in church, especially Roman Catholic and the modern evangelical church miss this completely. They think they're worthy not just in Christ Jesus alone, but even before Him, in their own works, feelings, emotions, sympathy. How is that different from the worldling who thinks they're a good person because they sympathize with people, make a broad, inclusive gate for others, and jump on every social "justice" and "virtue" signaling bandwagon? Why did Jesus have to come, to die? Am I so great that he sought me out, like a talent scout, looking for the best people, the most worthy? Did He need me on His team? That's the way we often act, and it's often the lens through which we look at others. 

9What then? Are we any better? Not at all. For we have already made the charge that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin. 10As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one. 11There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.… Romans 3: 9-11

…18I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ 20So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.… Luke 15: 18-20

The centurion said, "Lord, I am not worthy (hikanos) for You to come under my roof - Observe the admission by the centurion I am not worthy ("I do not deserve") which is identical to the Greek phrase used by John the Baptist in Mt 3:11+ when he declared "I am not fit (hikanos)," which is intriguing for of course we know Jesus said about John the Baptist! (see Lk 7:28+). Of course the centurion was not speaking of social status for he was more highly placed in society than Jesus. Note that this is the second time the centurion addresses Jesus as Lord (kurios)(Mt 8:6, 8). Jesus had already heard the Jewish elders' assessment of this centurion declaring "He is worthy (axios) for You to grant this to him." (Lk 7:4+). In one sense this is the centurion recognizing the greatness of Jesus. The centurion himself is overwhelmed by Jesus' readiness to come and heal and expresses his sense of unworthiness to be a recipient of such gracious compassion. Somehow this Gentile man has gotten a sense of the majestic authority and power and love of this Jewish Man Jesus Who without hesitation "leaps over" the cultural obstacles that stood between most of the Jews and the Gentiles and was willing come to a Gentile's home. The centurion could have simply said "I am not worthy," but he specifically adds the phrase for Jesus to come under my roof. Why did he add that phrase? What is he saying? I agree with several commentators who feel that the centurion wanted to spare Jesus the social awkwardness of a Jewish Man entering a Gentile home. Hendriksen says it this way "Who is he (CENTURION) to cause this kind Master to commit an act that would put him in conflict with the time-honored custom of His own people, according to which a Jew does not enter the house of a Gentile lest he be defiled (John 18:28; Acts 10:28; 11:2, 3)? Let Jesus therefore not enter the house nor even approach too closely but let him simply speak the word of healing. That is all that will be necessary to bring about a complete cure." As Guzik says "In his concern for both his servant and for Jesus, this centurion was an others-centered person." - Precept Austin

Go, come, and do this - He is acknowledging a type of sovereignty that earthly rulers, doctors, famous people, influencers, billionaires, don't have. He does it by comparison with earthly authority within spheres, and Christ is in a separate sphere, where He can tell disease to go away, bread and fish to multiply, water turn to wine, lame to walk, blind to see. This centurion is not the highest up in Roman military titles, yet he is one of the greatest examples of a leader, for he is also a servant as he states, "under authority", but he is also a servant by choice, here serving his servant, and acknowledging Jesus as Lord. He calls Jesus, Lord, and then defines it; it is profound. He is only asking for a word from Jesus, and this is layers deeper than the centurion knows, but wow, he knows that Christ doesn't need to go there and do some dance, some incantation, roll the bones. He doesn't need to be present at all, but if He speaks then the atoms and the molecules have no choice but to obey. 

…34“Ha! What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” 35But Jesus rebuked the demon. “Be silent!” He said. “ Come out of him!” At this, the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without harming him. 36All the people were overcome with amazement and asked one another, “What is this message? With authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!”… Luke 4: 34-36

…90Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth, and it endures. 91Your ordinances stand to this day, for all things are servants to You. 92If Your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction.… Psalm 119: 90-92

I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel - Among those that carry the oracles, who have the Abrahamic lineage, the law, the prophets, the temple, the priests and the Jewish traditions, He had not seen such beautiful, simple, and humble faith as this. A gentile is used to teach the approach, unentitled, unassuming, willing to be rejected, but asking for mercy. Jesus "marveled" at this man's faith. The Jewish elders in Luke 7 say, "this man is worthy", why? Because "he loves our nation and has built our synagogue", but the centurion says, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come in to my home." Not worthy.

…4Then Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his own household is a prophet without honor.” 5So He could not perform any miracles there, except to lay His hands on a few of the sick and heal them. 6And He was amazed at their unbelief. And He went around from village to village, teaching the people.… Mark 6: 4-6

…11When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”… Matthew 9: 11-13

Many will come from east and west - The Jews saw it differently, that they would be with the Messiah, but all else would be cast out. Jesus and His apostles will continue to correct their bad doctrine. But Israel was called to be a light to all nations, and this teaching goes all the way back to Abraham.

…28A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical. 29No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God. Romans 2: 28-29

…2I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.” 4So Abram departed, as the LORD had directed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.… Genesis 12: 2-4

…17I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. 18And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” 19Abraham went back to his servants, and they got up and set out together for Beersheba. And Abraham settled in Beersheba.… Genesis 22: 17-19

…9Judah is a young lion—my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? 10The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his. 11He ties his donkey to the vine, his colt to the choicest branch. He washes his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes.… Genesis 49: 9-11

But the sons of the kingdom - Heritage would not save them, just like fruit not of the Spirit would not help those who falsely came in Jesus's name. "But I can trace my lineage all the way back to Abraham."

4Jesus answered, “See to it that no one deceives you. 5For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come.… Matthew 24: 4-6

…21Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’… Matthew 7: 21-23

There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth - Many churches today will not speak of hell and God's just wrath against sin, yet they come in Jesus's name, and He spoke of hell more than any other figure in the Bible. "Love, love, love,' they say, yet the Scriptures say, 'Holy, Holy, Holy", and I am sorry, but I don't believe you when you say you love me but refuse to give me the whole counsel of God. You may love something but it is not me.

…40And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’ 41Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink,… Matthew 25: 40-42

…3In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep. 4For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; 5if He did not spare the ancient world when He brought the flood on its ungodly people, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, among the eight;…

6if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction, reducing them to ashes as an example of what is coming on the ungodly; 7and if He rescued Lot, a righteous man distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless 8(for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—…

9if all this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. 10Such punishment is specially reserved for those who indulge the corrupt desires of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and self-willed, they are unafraid to slander glorious beings. 11Yet not even angels, though greater in strength and power, dare to bring such slanderous charges against them before the Lord.… 2 Peter 2: 3-11

…12These men are hidden reefs in your love feasts, shamelessly feasting with you but shepherding only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried along by the wind; fruitless trees in autumn, twice dead after being uprooted. 13They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever. 14Enoch, the seventh from Adam, also prophesied about them: “Behold, the Lord is coming with myriads of His holy ones… Jude 1: 12-14

And his servant was healed that same hour - That's some special authority. 

#1242 Matthew 8 Part 1 The Leper

 

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.”

The Faith of a Centurion

5 When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.

Jesus Heals Many

14 And when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. 16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

The Cost of Following Jesus

18 Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 21 Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 22 And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”

Jesus Calms a Storm

23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

Jesus Heals Two Men with Demons

28 And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” 30 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” 32 And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region. Matthew 8 ESV

Matthew 8: 1-4 Healing

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 2 “When anyone has a swelling or a rash or a shiny spot on their skin that may be a defiling skin disease, they must be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons who is a priest. 3 The priest is to examine the sore on the skin, and if the hair in the sore has turned white and the sore appears to be more than skin deep, it is a defiling skin disease. When the priest examines that person, he shall pronounce them ceremonially unclean. 4 If the shiny spot on the skin is white but does not appear to be more than skin deep and the hair in it has not turned white, the priest is to isolate the affected person for seven days. 5 On the seventh day the priest is to examine them, and if he sees that the sore is unchanged and has not spread in the skin, he is to isolate them for another seven days. 6 On the seventh day the priest is to examine them again, and if the sore has faded and has not spread in the skin, the priest shall pronounce them clean; it is only a rash. They must wash their clothes, and they will be clean. 7 But if the rash does spread in their skin after they have shown themselves to the priest to be pronounced clean, they must appear before the priest again. 8 The priest is to examine that person, and if the rash has spread in the skin, he shall pronounce them unclean; it is a defiling skin disease.

9 “When anyone has a defiling skin disease, they must be brought to the priest.10 The priest is to examine them, and if there is a white swelling in the skin that has turned the hair white and if there is raw flesh in the swelling, 11 it is a chronic skin disease and the priest shall pronounce them unclean. He is not to isolate them, because they are already unclean. - Leviticus 13: 1-11

More on Leviticus 13 and leprosy

Great crowds followed Him - Last chapter we finished the Sermon on the Mount, and the people's astonishment with His teaching, as one with authority. Now we move to a different aspect of His ministry, healing, and just as the prior message displayed His speaking authority, the Word become flesh and dwelling among us, so these healings express His authority over sin. Death and disease entered the world by sin, and yet here is the Author of life, the One Who can speak all things into existence, the One Whose sacrifice is sufficient to cleanse every sin. These speak well of Who He is, and of His ability to restore. 

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.… John 1: 1-3

11Not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. 12Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned. 13For sin was in the world before the law was given; but sin is not taken into account when there is no law.… Romans 5: 11-13

Behold - "Wow, look here, what is this, can you believe it!?"

A leper came to Him - A leper was an outcast, so no matter how many people there were, no matter how dense a crowd, it parted like the Red Sea in front of Moses. If you look at Leviticus 13 above, you will see that people were isolated for this, quarantined even before it was diagnosed with certainty. They wanted to know whether it was leprosy or just a rash. Now if you look at Lev 13: 9-11 above, you will see a case, symptoms, where there wasn't even a period of isolation. With those symptoms you were just cast outside the camp. This all fell under the laws concerning clean and unclean, and leprosy was no joke. It is not just an outward blemish, it attacks the nervous system, and oddly there is no pain, because the nerves are deadened to the point of numbness. So now the person doesn't feel the affected area, and they end up rubbing off extremities. It also attacks bones at the marrow, causes blindness as well, so it becomes more and more obvious, and naturally people wanted it removed from their sight. It was said of lepers that you could smell them afar off, and in closer proximity it would leave a taste in your mouth, so the human body is naturally repulsed by it. So here he comes, and don't kid yourself, if you haven't come to Jesus like this, then you haven't come to Jesus, this man is unclean and represents the state of every man's heart, our fallen condition. When God corrected Aaron and Miriam for their pride and jealousy, speaking out against Moses, being racist against Moses's wife, He took what was in Miriam's heart and put it on display in the form of leprosy, and she was placed outside the camp.

…5You welcome those who gladly do right, who remember Your ways. Surely You were angry, for we sinned. How can we be saved if we remain in our sins? 6Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind. 7No one calls on Your name or strives to take hold of You. For You have hidden Your face from us and delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.… Isaiah 64: 5-7

Miriam's leprosy link

And knelt before Him - Now this should have sent Jesus up a tree, or at least stumbling backwards, this guy is unclean, and in a way that Ajax and wool won't help. They even had the six foot rule then, 150 feet if the wind was blowing or something like that, but this guy comes and kneels down, a sign of worship, and Jesus not only isn't scared but receives this. Angels won't let men bow before them like this, and humans want as much distance as possible from the unclean. 

8And I am John, who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had shown me these things. 9But he said to me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!”… Revelation 22: 8-9

Lord, if you will, you can make me clean - Wow, here is the gospel, and there is something so much worse than the ailments of this present life, none of it compares to eternity, yet our Lord is filled with compassion during His time here. Every person there should have had the same words on their lips, "Lord, I am unclean", as those say who are blessed because they mourn over their sin. Here is a man not pretending to be well, oblivious to the crowd, who cares what they think? They are too hardened in their own hearts to see that their eternal state is no different than this man's, and because they don't bear the outward marks of disease, they think they are clean, righteous before God. The man knows it is not by his will, but by God's, for he would have willed himself clean a long time ago if that were the case. It's bold in that it doesn't care for the thoughts of the crowd, yet humble in that it seeks God's will. God is not bound to save anyone except that He chooses; we are only owed the wages of sin, which is death. Go ask God for mercy.

…23“If You can?” echoed Jesus. “All things are possible to him who believes!” 24Immediately the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!” 25When Jesus saw that a crowd had come running, He rebuked the unclean spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” He said, “I command you to come out and never enter him again.”… Mark 9: 23-25

…15For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”… Romans 9: 15-17

…16For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. 17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. 18In Your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem.… Psalm 51: 16-18

I will, be clean - Not only does Jesus not flee from the man, but He touches him. Can you imagine that, not having human contact for so long, not expecting to be touched, most certainly not by someone who is clean? He believed Jesus could, but wasn't sure that He would, for there is no reason outside of mercy and compassion. We have doctors who have the gift of healing, and it is a gift, they have the mind that is capable to study the human body, to examine disease, to use science and technology in the search for cures or even just relief in some cases. It is a blessing to have such people, but there is no one that has such a gift as to will someone well. There are charlatans on tv who claim to, who pretend at having the ability to heal for a price. Some of Jesus's disciples and some of the prophets healed people, but not of their own will or power; it was an act of God. Jesus, who calls Himself "I am", wills it, yet in accordance with the will of the Father. 

…37Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never drive away. 38For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me. 39And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of those He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day.… John 6: 37-39

And immediately his leprosy was cleansed - That's hard to fake, and note that Jesus doesn't tell him to "hold on to that healing, don't misplace it somewhere", no, Jesus says, "be clean", something that simple, and it is instantaneous. He is sovereign even in this, over sin, sickness, over the body. The man didn't have to write a check or put his hand on the tv screen, it wasn't a simple headache that may stop momentarily by the power of suggestion, the excitement of the moment. Jesus told leprosy to go away and it obeyed Him. 

See that you say nothing to anyone - I would ask the same thing, probably for slightly different motives, but the crowds are growing, and this is not the root. Jesus came to go to the cross, to destroy the root of  this and every other sickness. He came to live the life that God required of us, but that we who are dead in our trespasses and sins could not live. He came to die on the cross, to make payment for sin, and He came to rise again, to show that He has conquered sin, death and the grave. Words going to get out though, and every miracle says something about Who He is, and also confirms what He says, but some will only want the free food, to be made physically well, but not spiritually alive. Some only see here and now, but have no regard for eternity, trading something minute for something immeasurable. Mark tells us what happened following this:

…43Jesus promptly sent him away with a stern warning: 44 “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45But the man went out and openly began to proclaim and spread the news. Consequently, Jesus could no longer enter a town in plain view, but He stayed out in solitary places. Yet people came to Him from every quarter.… Mark 1: 43-45

See that you tell no one: Jesus often commanded people to be quiet about their healing or some miraculous work that He had done for them. He did this because He wanted to keep down the excitement of the crowds until the proper time for His formal revelation to Israel, which was an exact date as prophesied in Daniel 9. - Enduring Word

ii. Therefore, Jesus was cautious about how the multitudes saw Him and why they followed Him. “This motif of secrecy…is better understood as reflecting a real danger that Jesus could achieve unwanted popularity merely as a wonder-worker, or worse still as a nationalistic liberator, and so foster a serious misunderstanding of the true nature of his mission.” (France) - E Word

Offer the gift that Moses commanded - In accordance with the OT law. 

ii. “This gift was two living, clean birds, some cedar wood, with scarlet and hyssop, Leviticus 14:4, which were to be brought for his cleansing; and, when clean, two he lambs, one ewe lamb, three tenth deals of flour, and one log of oil, Leviticus 14:10; but if the person was poor, then he was to bring one lamb, one tenth deal of flour, one log of oil and two turtle doves, or young pigeons, Leviticus 14:21, 22.” (Clarke)

#1241 Matthew 7 Part 5 Foundations

 

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

The Authority of Jesus

28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.  Matthew 7: 24-29 ESV

Matthew 7: 24-29

Hears these words of mine and does them - Throughout this message, Matthew 5-7, we have seen that it is not just what you say, nor is it what you can convince others to say about you. Jesus has separated vain appearances from fact, ritual from reality. He has made it a matter of the heart, word and deed, it all has to line up, everyone falls short, everyone depends upon grace, but grace doesn't only justify, it also sanctifies. We will also see from both Jesus's teaching and that of the apostles that this supplies a much more magnificent and even impossible definition of righteousness and love. We live in a culture that defines love by want, by sentiment, passion, lust, but Christ says, "if you love Me, keep my commandments." There are churches who talk about "loving" people through their sin, and rather then confront it or ask them to leave, they let it continue. I'm sorry, but you being passive with me, you being accepting of my sins, condoning what God hates, how is that love? I'm heading towards a meeting with a Holy and just God, a God Who says that people who do what I am doing will in no way enter the kingdom of heaven, and you are sending me towards eternity, believing that I can call myself a child of God, hold onto my sins and yet walk through the narrow gate? And somehow you think you're a loving person. You don't love me; you love you, and you want me to admire you, feed your ego, and face an eternity outside of God's infinite mercy, knowing only His infinite hatred of sin. That's the legacy of those who preach another gospel, who say look at what we did in Your name, who leave out the whole counsel of God.

22“The Son of Man must suffer many things,” He said. “He must be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” 23Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.… Luke 9: 22-24

…21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls. 22 Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. 23For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror,…

…24and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so— not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer— he will be blessed in what he does. 26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.… James 1: 21-26

…22Judas (not Iscariot) asked Him, “Lord, why are You going to reveal Yourself to us and not to the world?” 23Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words. The word that you hear is not My own, but it is from the Father who sent Me.… John 14: 22-24

Built his house on the rock - Who is this? The one who hears the words and does them, not the ones who claimed to perform signs and wonders.

…34Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. 36No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.… Matthew 24: 34-36

…19We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. 21For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.… 2 Peter 1: 19-21

It had been founded on the rock - He just said what the rock was in this context, hearing and doing His word. We do what we really believe most in, and we may struggle, but the person who doesn't battle at all, who never enters the war, they are going to follow the crowd and their appetite, be blown around by every strange wind of doctrine. The person who truly believes in God's word will be a follower, a practitioner of Christ's teaching. Many came to Christ in name, many came for the fish and the bread, but He said, "blessed are they that mourn, and hunger and thirst after righteousness." Those that hear the gospel, "God's story", the story of redemption, hear about their sin and realize that they are bankrupt "poor in spirit", these are blessed because they realize they have nothing to offer God except the sin which makes Christ's sacrifice necessary. You have nothing, but He is everything. The revelation that comes from God is the sure foundation.

…16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven. 18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.… Matthew 16: 16-18

And great was the fall of it - You can sit in church and hear the words of Jesus, but then be like the guy who looked in the mirror and walked away forgetting what manner of man he was. Hearing without obedience is really just defiance; it's a barren tree. You are saying, "I'm a fig tree", but there's never any figs to prove it. It is like a tree with no root, such is the house on sand; it's a terrible foundation, a confidence that is poorly founded. Some trust in a  repeat after me prayer they said, a feeling they had, and emotional experience that made them cry, but when every thing else is destroyed, it's God's word that remains, and those who not only heard, but built accordingly.

…5The LORD is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. 6He will be the sure foundation for your times, a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure. 7Behold, their valiant ones cry aloud in the streets; the envoys of peace weep bitterly.… Isaiah 33: 5-7

19Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. 21In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord.… Ephesians 2: 19-21

…1Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. 2But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. 3He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.… Psalm 1: 1-3

…18Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, 19treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. 20O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,”… 1 Timothy 6: 18-20

As One Who had authority - In order for me to say what God has said, I have to quote scripture or receive some other form of divine revelation. Jesus was God, deity with humanity added to it, the God man. He was the Word become flesh to dwell among us. When He speaks, it is God speaking, His will is one with the Father's. He could say what the Bible said and perfectly what it meant; He did that throughout the whole Sermon on the Mount, and it is incredible.

13children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’ ”… John 1: 13-15

…29My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30I and the Father are one.” 31At this, the Jews again picked up stones to stone Him.… John 10: 29-31

…48There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. 50And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.”… John 12: 48-50