Jesus Was Astonished (Matthew 8:5-13)
Gary McManus, 02/12/2022Part of the Life With Jesus is Better series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Faith in Jesus; More Than Healing
February 13, 2022 Matthew 8:5-13
This is not DCC’s first look at Matthew’s report.
But we might have missed something—especially
if the Pastor missed something.
There are many facets to a diamond—and they are
all beautiful. So, it is with the Bible.
It is easy for American Christians to miss things
in a report of healing. Americans focus on the healing. Jesus marveled at the faith of the pagan Centurion of the Roman Army.
For some context, Matthew’s Gospel recorded ANOTHER encounter of Jesus’ with a pagan.(Matthew 15:22-28)
The woman called Jesus, “Lord, Son of David.”
In today’s reading, Matthew recorded that Jesus MARVELED at the faith that Jesus heard coming from the pagan man’s mouth.
Jesus stated Matthew 8:10.
American focus on Jesus as healer. Jesus did not want that focus.
Without faith there are no miracles of any kind.
(Mark 6:5)
. . .other points of faith besides the faith to heal. . .
--Jesus had divine power. (Matthew 12:24, Luke 11:15)
--The Centurion had respect for Jewish faith practices.
--the Roman Army Captain demonstrated compassion.
--The Centurion acknowledged that Jesus had come to
serve people, not to be served.
-- This pagan man was prepared to believe that the mission of THIS God messenger was to help people, Jew or Gentile!
Jesus stood in awe at the Army Captain’s words.
the Messiah had come just as Jesus proclaimed
(Isaiah 61, Luke 4:17-19). . .AND
. . .and Jesus would accomplish these deeds
anywhere where faith was found. . .and to
further endorse that part of the message. . .
Matthew recorded for his Jewish congregation,
Jesus’ words: Matthew 8:11-12
If anyone had faith like this pagan Roman Army Captain (Israel’s enemy) , they would come to Messiah’s table.
And those who considered themselves sons of Abraham by birth and therefore by birthright. . .vs12; they will be thrown outside, into the darkness. . .
Jesus states this four times: Matthew 8:12, Matthew 22:13, Matthew 24:51, Matthew 25:30.
Hell. . .
Darkness?
brimstone is sulfur; it burns blue—not much light.
God’s glory shines (Revelation 21:10-11 )
—but it is not present in Hell.
Weeping and gnashing of teeth?
(Grinding one’s teeth (in anger); say, “grrrrrrr”.)
That is the fate of the unbelievers.
The believers. . . are those who have faith in Jesus. . .
have faith in Jesus as the Messiah. . .
faith in Jesus as one who cares. .
faith in a Messiah that cares for the broken hearted,
the blind. . .etc. faith in a Messiah who has come to serve and will even serve some of our enemies (if they too have faith).
Count yourselves among the faithful. . .
And open your eyes to the neighbors whom you cannot count today as believers/ faithful but who will yet become followers of Jesus Messiah. (John 10:16)
Amen.
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