·
Centurion who had great
faith
– Matthew 8:5-13
·
The Canaanite Woman – Matt 15:21-28
·
Woman who bled for
12 years
– Luke
8:42-48
·
Zacchaeus – Luke 19:1-10
The Faith of
a Centurion
– Matthew 8:5-13
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."
The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." 6 So Jesus went with them.
– Luke 7:3-6
1. Jesus is sought
by a centurion upon entering Capernaum
a)
Although Matthew
and Luke’s version slightly differ as to how the centurion approach Jesus, they
are not contradicting since even courts recognize that whatever a man does
through a duly authorized agency he himself is legally doing it.
b)
Another example
of this is found in John 4:1-2 where Jesus is being recognized as baptizing
more people than John although it was not necessarily Jesus himself who was
baptizing the people.
2. Roman centurions
usually sought Jews for trouble, not favors!
a)
Centurions were
commanders of the Roman army in charge of 100 men, hence their title.
b)
They had
authority and understood the chain of command well
c)
Compassion and
humility was not part of their repertoire!
3. This man
obviously had a different heart
a)
He cared for his
servant (slave)
b)
He was filled
with compassion for him
c)
Even though his
servant couldn’t serve him at the moment he still retained him and wanted to
help him get well
d)
He also favored his
community and the Jewish religion
e)
His reputation
was blameless even before other Jews
7 Jesus said to him, "I will go
and heal him."
4. Jesus agrees to
come forth and heal this man
5. Jesus shows His
willingness to go wherever He is needed, not even asking where this man was. It
didn’t make a difference to Him as we will see.
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."
He was not far from the house when the centurion
sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do
not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is
why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the
word, and my servant will be healed. 8 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."
– Luke 7:6-8
6. The centurion
defers to Jesus’ authority
a)
He considered
Jesus the Ruler of the Universe
1.
He believed to
be under Jesus’ authority, which is why he humbly approached Him, as a servant
approaches a Master; feeling a sense of being an unworthy servant which was the
very attitude Jesus wanted his disciples to have (Luke 17:10).
2.
He knew Jesus
didn't even have to be physically present for the healing to take place. He
understood Jesus’ authority to be beyond the physical parameters of this world
3.
He believed Jesus
had power over time and space
b)
He trusted (obeyed)
Jesus’ Word
1.
The centurion
says “Just say the word and it will be done”
2.
He extolled
God’s virtues above his very own, which showed the man had some strong moral
convictions
3.
As he knew his
servants did what he commanded, so this man was at Jesus’ beckon and call
4.
He knew however
impossible the situation was, if Jesus spoke it would be done according to what
He said.
10 When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and
said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found
anyone in Israel with such
great faith. 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."
7. Jesus marvels at
this man's insight, faith and humility.
a)
His every
request is full of meekness
b)
He doesn’t want
to presume upon Jesus’ time or attention
c)
He understands
how Jesus’ authority works in this realm
8. This centurion
didn’t trust in himself or in this world
a)
He didn’t rely
on his own traditional thinking
b)
Didn’t trust his
man-made religion
c)
Was open-minded
to be led by faith in Jesus
9. He was a humble
man. He was willing to be led.
a)
He considered
Jesus to be the Supreme Chief above all earthly and heavenly authority
b)
He willingly
placed himself under Jesus’ authority
10. He says that
even amongst those who are supposed to have this faith in God (Israel) he has
not seen such faith.
a)
Those who’ve
been promised the Kingdom have seen evidence of God working amongst them yet
continue with hardened hearts, refusing to accept Jesus as Lord.
b)
The Jewish
leaders, who were supposed to recognize Jesus’ authority as God’s only Son and
Messiah, did not recognize Jesus (John 1:10-11)
c)
Yet this Gentile
Centurion so humbly and acquiescently bows down to Jesus – this was a picture
of the open door the Gentiles would have into God’s Kingdom.
13 Then Jesus said to the centurion,
"Go! It will be done
just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very
hour.
Only one other healing like this one
(John
4:43-54) is recorded in the Gospels, where Jesus never even laid eyes
on the man, nor touched him nor even was in the same area. This shows Jesus’
power over time and space – indeed the Master of the Universe! This healing
took place by intercession of a faithful gentile centurion.
The Canaanite
Woman
– Matthew 15:21-28
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."
1. This woman, a stranger to the Jewish nation, approaches Jesus
2. She knows only Jesus can give her the mercy she needs
a. In asking for mercy she knows she is a sinner
b. She knows she is approaching someone holy
3. Even though she is not Jewish, she recognizes Jesus as Lord
a. She is familiar with the prophets
b. She is a believer despite not being Jewish
4. She knows Jesus can heal her daughter
23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us." 24 He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."
1. Jesus does not acknowledge her
2. She gets the cold shoulder from the disciples
3. She gets an excuse from Jesus
4. Perhaps this woman expected this kind of treatment
a. This is how she was used to being treated
b. Like an outcast
c. Like someone who doesn’t belong
d. She’s a woman familiar with sorrow
25 The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said. 26 He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." 27 "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."
1. She doesn’t let her expectations stop her
2. There’s something different about Jesus
3. She’s emboldened to continue approaching Him
4. She gets past Jesus buffer zone and kneels before Him
a. She demands His help
b. She stops Jesus entourage
c. There is a boldness about her even though she is shrouded in humility
5. Jesus again gives her an excuse for why He is ignoring her
a. He calls her a dog
b. He refers to the Jews as children and to her (or any other Gentile) as a dog
6. The woman looks past the insult
a. She knows it is not an insult
b. She knows very well who and what she is
c. She doesn’t want to miss this opportunity, however, for the love of her daughter and the reverence of God
d. Even if it is crumbs that Jesus offers her, it is good enough for her
28Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
1. Jesus didn’t expect that answer
a. He was hoping for it
b. People didn’t usually replied with great faith
2. This woman had great faith!
a. What made her faith so great?
b. Confidence in God
Hebrews 4:15-16 NIV For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
1. By faith she knew Jesus could sympathize
2. By faith she knew Jesus was Lord – beyond human – perfect – without sin
3. Because of this she felt she could freely approach him unlike any other person
4. She knew she would get mercy and find grace
a. Other people she approached gave her reproach
b. Other people judged her
c. She lacked confidence to approach others
5. When she recognized her Lord she was filled with confidence!
The Woman Who
Bled for 12 Years
– Luke 8:42-48
As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him.
Wow! Can you imagine the popularity? Would you have the stamina or the patience to deal with that? I don’t think I could!
43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her.
1. This woman had been bleeding for 12 years!
a. Normally women bleed for three to four days once a month
b. Stigma of menstrual bleeding according to the Law of Moses (Lev 15:25)
i. Women who were bleeding were not to be amongst the people or touch anyone.
ii. They were considered unclean until their bleeding stopped
iii. Even their husbands were not supposed to have relations with them during this period
iv. If they lay in the same bed they were also unclean
v. They were not welcome in the temple
vi. Wherever they sat was considered unclean
vii. No one wanted them in their home
2. No one could heal her
a. She sought out many doctors
b. She spent a lot of money
c. She was disappointed
d. She was frustrated
e. She was lonely!
44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
1. She was not as bold as the Canaanite woman. She came from behind! She wanted to remain anonymous!
a. It was a fragile situation due to her uncleanliness.
b. She wanted healing, but wanted anonymity.
2. Imagine what relief when her bleeding stopped!
a. She knew immediately what had happened!
b. She could be intimate with her husband!
c. She could go to temple!
d. She would be welcome into her neighbors’ homes again!
e. She would be asked to fellowship again!
f. Her faith in this man made her well!
3. She must have been very desperate to approach Jesus in that way!
4. Think about it!
a. Lonely and shunned for 12 years!
b. She was weak
c. She was a woman approaching an unknown man
d. She was unclean
e. Women just didn’t go around touching other men in a crowd!
45 "Who touched me?" Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, "Master,
the people are crowding and pressing against you."
46 But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me."
1. Jesus knew He was touched specifically by that woman
2. He was testing her faith the same way he tested the Canaanite woman
3. Faith that brings healing cannot be hid. This faith must be shared!
4. Even though many were pressing against Him He knew what the deal was.
a. We can appreciate Jesus’ power
b. We can appreciate His omniscience and omnipotence
47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace."
1. The woman was afraid to be noticed
2. She knew the one who healed her would understand. Jesus tenderly calls her “daughter”.
3. She falls at His feet
4. She trembles before the Lord!
a. She was not afraid of Him, but revered and worshipped Him!
b. This is how we stand before the Lord if indeed we have held onto Him to glory!
c. Demons are the ones that tremble out of fear
5. Her faith triumphs!
a. She declared before all what happened
b. She can go now in peace
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.
“Zacchaeus” = pure or just. The man was clearly a Jew. This was a common Jewish name. Most Jews viewed tax collectors as unjust, greedy and heathen. How much more aversion would they have towards a fellow Jew who worked for the Roman government to collect their taxes? And a chief tax collector at that!? He obviously had a very powerful position in his community and was wealthy as well. He was probably the envy of many Jews in the region and also an ally to whoever wanted to befriend him.
3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
We focus on Zacchaeus because he was a prominent figure, probably given to materialism and politics, the very antithesis to being a Pharisee. Yet, this man had also heard about Jesus and was driven by curiosity to actually see him since Jesus now was in his region. We understand from the text Zacchaeus was short.