Matthew 8:1-13

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Healing of the Leper and the Healing of the Centurion’s Servant

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The Lord Jesus can cleanse from leprosy.

  2. The Lord Jesus can heal with a word.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Do we have great faith?

QUESTIONS

  1. Each of the four gospels presents Christ from a different perspective. What are they?

  2. How does Matthew show that Jesus is the promised Messiah?

  3. What is leprosy a picture of in the Bible?

  4. Explain Matthew 8:11-12.

  5. What is a “centurion”?

  6. How did the centurion show great faith?

ANSWERS

  1. Matthew presents Christ as King, Mark presents Christ as the perfect Servant, Luke presents Christ as the Son of Man, and John presents Christ as the Son of God.

  2. Matthew shows that Jesus performed healing miracles, as was prophesied of the Messiah in the Old Testament.

  3. Leprosy is a picture of sin. Just as leprosy is a loathsome, infectious, and incurable disease, so sin is a disease that leads to death.

  4. Many Gentiles will become believers, and enter the kingdom of God by faith. Meanwhile, many of the “sons of the kingdom,” Jewish people, will end up in hell because of their disbelief.

  5. A centurion is a Roman military officer in charge of 100 men.

  6. The centurion understood authority. He knew Jesus’ command would be obeyed, because he believed He was sovereign.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Jesus could have healed this leprous man just by speaking the words. Instead, He reached out and touched him. How long do you think it had been since this man had felt compassionate human touch? The Lord is aware of your needs. Not only will He provide for you, He will do so graciously and compassionately. Share a time when God has provided for you, giving you exactly what you needed.

  2. Would the Lord marvel at your faith? The Roman centurion, who was a Gentile, displayed more faith than the Jewish people the Lord ministered to. Discuss how sovereign and powerful our Lord is. Reflect on this truth throughout this week, so your faith can grow into a great faith.

CHALLENGE

  1. If it is the Lord’s will to heal, He can do so today. Not every believer who is sick will be healed. But if it is His will to heal you, He can heal with a word.

KEY VERSES

  • “Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’” Matthew 8:3

  • “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!’” Matthew 8:10

Matthew, Talks, New TestamentDeb HarmsMatthew 8:1-13