Do you believe in miracles? Do they still happen? What do you think ? This morning is an inside track on power who Jesus who broke all conventions: touching a man with leprosy; healing a servant with a word although miles away from him; dealing with an illness a common fever that could be a death sentence in ancient time. Each time we see Jesus at work we get a picture of power we are taught lessons in hope and faith. Jesus has the power to heal and transform lives. As we read in verse 2
2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."
Leprosy’s a skin disease attacks the skin and nervous systems, and untreated is causes decay of limbs, with limbs falling off as much of the damage is caused by nerve damage and the loss of sensation in parts of the body. In the day of Jesus leprosy wasn’t just a physical illness it was a social one as well. Lepers were cut off from family and friends, they were shunned & seen as cursed from God. Lepers were blocked from access to worship God at the temple, so when they walked down the street lepers had to shout “unclean – unclean” so people could get out their way. Notice then Jesus seeing this leper coming towards him does he do? Jesus isn’t repulsed by him. He reaches out his hands and touches him, bringing more than the kindness of human touch. Jesus heals him of his disease. The man who was rejected, an outcast because of his disease is now healed, restored and brought back to the place of worship with God’s people. The leper asked if Jesus was willing to make him clean Jesus has authority to heal. The question is what will Jesus do? Jesus replies I am willing – Be clean. As we see everything turns on the authority of Jesus. Just as we see with the Centurion’s request, faith goes beyond just hearing
verses 5-6
5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering."
Centurions were the backbone of the military of the Roman Empire, working men, who were a soldier’s soldier in that they trained the troops, exercised discipline and carried out orders from their commanders. We see this toughened battle hardened centurion, who formed part of the occupation forces of Jerusalem, coming towards Jesus with a request as the Centurion treats Jesus of a rank so exalted that his home was not suitable for Jesus to enter into it. What is clear is that before Jesus the Centurion sees himself clearly. He is aware of his need for Jesus, and what makes this soldier more astonishing is his care for this slave is a compassion that was raised above the usual approach of masters to servants or slaves in this time. With Jesus response of willingness to come over to his home and heal his slave. The Centurion asks Jesus instead to perform the miracle with a word, right from where he is, Jesus only has to say it and the Centurion’s sure his servant will be healed. When we think of miracles, we often think of them differently, as we usually wait for something dramatic to be seen, verse 8-9
8 The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, `Go,' and he goes; and that one, `Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, `Do this,' and he does it."
This centurions response of faith astonishes Jesus I guess it’s a far better thing to be astonishing Jesus with our faith than it is with our lack of faith isn’t it? "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. We start to capture how Jesus doesn’t want religious people, he wants disciples willing to come follow him with a faith like this centurions as something larger is occurring. The Centurion wasn’t a member of privileged Israel we see him understanding God’s grace was found in Jesus. Jesus only has to just say the word and it’s carried out. I wonder if we have the same measure of faith in how we pray the simple prayers of everyday life. For Jesus to speak to us about how to navigate the tests, and trials to help us get better at loving relationships; or to forgive others, and not bear grudges or seek our revenge, or guard our hearts from jealousies, just as Jesus tells the centurion
11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." verses 11-12
The acceptance of Jesus’ authority is pictured as being present at a great feast, rejection of Jesus is painted in the blackest terms with weeping and gnarling of teeth. Jesus will be the final judge on that day of judgment as he paints hell plainly and it’s not a pretty picture. It is a place that’s loveless, devoid of kindness, cruel, evil. Faith is what distinguishes our entry or our rejection. Just like the centurion’s faith that is prepared to take Jesus at his word. We struggle with satisfied self centeredness, a lot of our lives are wrapped up in us. In his healing ministry Jesus shows us a far greater work he is prepared to make in our lives. Jesus is the one prepared to reach out and touch those who society said “don’t go near them”
Jesus not only went towards these people he also dealt with what separated them from others. For the leper Jesus brought wholeness healing and restored fellowship
For the Centurion with a word, even far away Jesus could heal, making alive faith in a man who was used to commanding men in battle. He even healed Peter’s mother in law from her fever. If the fever’s wasn’t brought down they often would lead to death. Jesus was bringing more than a kindness. He was saving a life which has far more reaching consequences. As Matthew reminds us point to a far greater ministry in a quote from Isaiah 53:4 "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases." A passage well known as the servant song, a song linked to the death of Christ. Jesus exercises his authority over illness & sickness, he also deals with the root cause of all sickness and pain at the cross, our sin atoned for. It is paid up fully along with death and disease that are swept away from the kingdom Jesus will usher in at his second coming, Jesus comes towards us not because we are worthy. He comes towards us with forgiveness and a fresh start, because his compassion is to deal with our greatest enemy in our relationship with God. Jesus invites us to come to him, in humility, dependence and faith:
Let’s pray…
David Hassan @ Tamworth Community Presbyterian Church 14/1/18