Scripture Reading: Matthew 8:16-22

Matthew 8:1-9:34: The Messiah's Power to Heal

Intro.

1. Jesus taught with heaven’s authority (Matt. 7:28-29; Jno. 12:49).

2. He was also healing, Matt. 4:22-23 (Acts 10:38).

3. After giving us an example of His teaching (Matt. 5-7), Matthew now gives us examples of His great powers that accompanied His preaching (Matt. 8:1-9:34).

4. Jesus was driven by compassion to heal the sick (Matt. 14:14).

I. “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Matt. 8:2-4

A. Leprosy: A Figure of Sin.

1. Rendered affected person “unclean” as it ate away flesh.

2. Sin defiles and eats away at our souls! Rom. 3:9-18

3. To be healed was to be “cleansed”, 8:3.

B. God Desires All be Cleansed of Sin, 8:3; 1 Tim. 2:3-4; 2 Pet. 3:9.

1. Law of Moses cleansing (Lev. 14:2-32); Law of leprosy, 14:57 (Matt. 8:4).

2. Cleansed from sin – How? Blood of Christ, Heb. 9:13-14.

3. How is the blood applied? Rom. 6:3; Acts 22:16

C. Must Submit to His Will, 8:4 (Lev. 14); cf. 2 Kgs. 5:10-14.

-Christ is willing, but we must submit to Him in obedient faith!

II. “As you have believed, so let it be done for you.” Matt. 8:5-13

A. A Faith that Acted in Humble Trust, Lk. 7:3, 6; Eph. 2:8-9; Jas. 2:17

B. A Faith that was Rewarded, 8:13; Jas. 2:24.

-“Great faith” (8:10). Lord, increase our faith, Lk. 17:5, 10.

III. “He took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.” Matt. 8:14-17

A. Jesus Bore Our Sins (He took them Away), Isa. 53:4-6; 1 Pet. 2:24.

1. His miraculous healings foreshadowed the healing from sin he would accomplish on the cross.

2. Completely, “all”, 8:16.

B. Should Cause us to Faithfully Serve Him, 8:15.

-Sacrificially, 8:18-20; Priority (commitment), 8:21-22.

IV. “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” Matt 8:23-27

A. “Does Jesus Care?” 1 Pet. 5:7; Matt. 11:28-30.

B. Replace Fear with Faith, 8:26; Heb. 13:5-6.

V. “Why are you bothering us?” Matt. 8:28-34

A. Like the Demons, Many Recognize Jesus as the Son of God, but want to be Left Alone, 8:29 (Jas. 2:19); Jno. 12:42-43; Acts 24:25.

1. Jesus came to save! Some see His presence as a tormenting burden upon them! (cf. “depart”, 8:34.)

2. Such are rushing headlong toward hell, Matt. 25:41.

VI. “Be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven you.” Matt. 9:2-8

A. The Joy of Forgiveness, Acts 8:39 (Phil. 4:4); cf. Matt. 9:14-15

B. Jesus has the Authority to Forgive Your Sins, Matt. 9:6-8 (Acts 4:12; 2:37-38); Matt. 28:18.

VII. “Lay your hand on her and she will live.” Matt. 9:18-26

A. Jesus Holds the Power of Life, 8:18; Jno. 1:4; 5:21; 11:25-26.

B. Woman: Lay Your Hand (of Faith) on Jesus, 8:20-21.

1. Her faith made her well, 8:22.

2. You must have faith to reach out and “touch” Jesus by hearing and obeying his gospel that saves, Rom. 1:16 (10:17); 6:17-18.

VIII. “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” Matt. 9:27-31

A. Our Faith will be Tested, 9:28; 1 Pet. 1: 6-9.

B. We Will Receive According to our Faith, 9:29. Dead? Barren? Obedient? (Heb. 5:9)

IX. “It was never seen like this in Israel.” Matt. 9:32-34

A. People were Astonished, 9:33 (Isa. 35:5-6).

B. Pharisees Rejected Jesus, Attributing God’s Power to Satan, 9:34. (Many still do so by rejecting the truth as a lie and God’s plan for healing from sin as false.)

Conclusion

1. The evidence of Jesus’ power is before us: Will we believe and obey His every command to be healed from our sins?

2. Will we receive his power in our lives through an obedient faith, or turn away from His power and be eternally lost?