What does the healing of the leper show about Jesus and about sin?

The leper was seen as unclean and had to live away from people. He comes to Jesus humbly, sure that Jesus can heal, but unsure if he will. Jesus not only speaks but touches him, something others were afraid to do. The man is healed right away. This shows that Jesus is not pushed away by uncleanness, but gladly receives those who come in faith. Leprosy often pictures sin, and this healing shows that Jesus is both willing and able to cleanse people completely, inside and out.

Why did Jesus praise the centurion’s faith more than any in Israel?

The centurion was a Gentile soldier, not part of Israel. Yet he understood something many in Israel missed. He believed Jesus did not even need to come to his house, but could heal his servant just by speaking. He compared it to military orders: when he gives a command, it is done. He saw that Jesus had far greater authority. Jesus marvels at this and says he has not found such faith in Israel. This teaches that faith is not about background but about trusting Jesus’ word.

What does it mean that many will come from east and west to sit with Abraham?

When Jesus says many will come from the east and west to sit with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, he is talking about people from all nations being brought into God’s family. Sitting down with the patriarchs is a picture of sharing a feast and being welcomed. At the same time, he warns that some who thought they belonged, the “children of the kingdom” who do not believe, will be cast into outer darkness. It shows that faith, not birth, is what brings someone into God’s kingdom.

What is the outer darkness with weeping and gnashing of teeth?

Outer darkness is a picture Jesus uses for being shut out from God’s kingdom. Inside there is light and joy, pictured as sitting at a feast. Outside there is darkness, sorrow, and regret, described as weeping and gnashing of teeth. Here Jesus is warning that some who assumed they belonged to God’s people, but would not truly trust him, will face this judgment. It is a serious call to examine whether we really trust and follow him, instead of resting on background or outward religion.

Why did Jesus tell the leper to keep quiet and go to the priest?

Jesus tells the healed leper not to spread the news, but to go to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded. This does a few things. It shows Jesus respects the law God gave through Moses and does not set it aside. It lets the priests officially confirm the healing, which becomes a witness to them that God’s power is at work. It also teaches that obedience to Jesus’ word matters more than our own ideas of zeal. True thankfulness is shown by doing what he says, not just by talking.

Why did Jesus say the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head?

When the scribe eagerly says he will follow Jesus anywhere, Jesus answers that foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head. He is showing that following him is not a path to comfort or earthly security. Even he, the promised king, lives without a settled home. This is not to drive the man away, but to make him think honestly about the cost. To follow Jesus means being ready to lose ease and accept a simple, sometimes hard, life with him.

What does Jesus mean by “Let the dead bury their dead”?

One man who already counts himself a disciple asks to first go and bury his father before following Jesus. Jesus replies, “Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.” The wording is sharp on purpose. He is saying that when God calls, his call comes before every other duty, even very serious family duties. The “dead” who bury the dead are those who are physically alive but spiritually dead, who can handle everyday tasks. Those Jesus calls must put him first, without delay.

Why were the disciples afraid in the storm if Jesus was with them?

When the storm hits, the waves cover the boat and Jesus is asleep. The disciples wake him, crying, “Lord, save us: we perish.” Even though they had seen his power, fear still takes over when they feel in danger. Jesus first asks why they are afraid and calls them people of little faith, then he calms the wind and sea with a word. Their fear shows how weak human faith can be, even in believers. Jesus’ calm and his command over nature show that they truly are safe with him, even when it does not feel like it.

Why did Jesus allow the demons to go into the herd of swine?

When Jesus meets the two men possessed by demons, the spirits beg him to send them into a herd of pigs if he casts them out. Jesus simply says, “Go.” The demons leave the men and enter the pigs, and the whole herd rushes into the sea and dies. The passage does not explain every detail, but it clearly shows Jesus’ authority over evil spirits. It also shows how destructive these spirits are. The people of the city, however, focus on the loss of the pigs and ask Jesus to leave, showing they value their goods more than his saving work.

Matt.8.1

Matthew 8:1

KJV

When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.

The Leper’s Prayer

1 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.

2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

The Faith of the Centurion

5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,

6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

Jesus Heals at Peter’s House

14 And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.

15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.

16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

The Cost of Discipleship

18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.

19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

Jesus Calms the Storm

23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.

24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

The Demons and the Pigs

28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.

29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.

31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.

32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.

33 And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.

34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.

Cross References

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