Epiphany 3 January 23, 2022
Matthew 8:1-13
A Question of Authority
v.8-9 But the centurion replied, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
Dear friends in Christ, we have as our text before us, Jesus' first miracles following His great sermon on the Mount in St. Matthew's Gospel. Jesus has been preaching and teaching and the crowds have been in amazement, as He has taught as One with authority. Now, beginning with the verses of our text, Jesus' ministry of miraculous deeds demonstrates this authority to all.
Authority is very important for us, isn't it? Indeed, our society would quickly crumble were it not for the authority of those around us. Authority is used to maintain law and order and mete out justice, both in the home and in our community. We rely on the authority of police officers, judges, politicians, teachers, and especially parents. These authorities set down rules and guidelines for people to follow so that there may be peace in the land. And these authorities have the power to punish those who would break that peace.
However, all such power and authority pales in comparison to He who is the Word of God made flesh--He who created the universe with His Almighty Word--He who has the authority over not just the body, but the soul as well. The Lord Jesus has authority to forgive, heal, and give eternal life and salvation.
And in our text we see a couple of examples of people who place their trust in Jesus and His authority to help them. First, is the leper. Against all rules of Jewish decorum and cleanliness laws, this man infected with leprosy approaches Jesus through a crowd (thereby risking ritual uncleanness upon anyone he might come into contact with). Kneeling before Jesus he prays most earnestly, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." His prayer is addressed to the Lord Most High, whom he knows has authority to make him clean again, but he leaves it in the gracious hands of the Lord Jesus. Begging Him, if He is willing, to make him clean.
Once again, against all rules of public decorum, Jesus reaches out His hand to touch the leper! But, in an amazing reversal, instead of Jesus becoming unclean, the leper is made clean by Jesus' touch! What joy! What amazing grace! For now, this leper, after being reminded by Jesus to seek out the priests and offer the prescribed sacrifice for his cleansing, is free to return home to his family and friends and participate in Jewish life and society once more. It is almost as if Jesus were saying, "Don't get distracted now. I know how overjoyed you are, but first you've got to take care of business, then you can go and live at peace with your family. Yet, I am willing--and now you are clean!"
While the faith in the authority of Jesus to heal was implicit in the words and actions of the leper, the Centurion is boldly explicit in his faith in Jesus' authority. Jesus, when approached by the Centurion, a Gentile, about a sick servant, is moved to ask the Centurion if he is truly asking Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, to come into his home. The Centurion's faith is made explicit here, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the Word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
Jesus marvels at the Centurion's faith in the authority of Jesus. And Jesus answers the Centurion's prayer, while also giving warning to the assembled Jews that they must have faith like this Gentile, otherwise they risk being lost to the kingdom and being thrown into the outer darkness.
You see, beloved, as Christians, everything depends upon Jesus and His authority. Faith in Him acknowledges one's own helplessness (due to our sinfulness) and yet trusts that Jesus is indeed willing and able to save. It is by Jesus' authority that you are forgiven for all your sins by God's grace in Word and Sacrament. It is by Jesus' authority that I humbly absolve you of your sin in the stead and by the name of Jesus. It is by Jesus' authority that you are called to faith and washed clean of all sin in the waters of Holy Baptism. It is by Jesus' authority that His own body and blood are really present in simple bread and wine for the forgiveness of all your sins. What a wonderful, blessed authority! For through these Sacraments Jesus is willing and able to make you clean and holy!
We Christians may be bold in our prayers and requests to God in all circumstances, knowing that He will answer us as is best for us, according to His will. He has not promised to heal every disease and injury this side of heaven, but He has promised on the Last Day that He will fully and completely devour all sin and death and destroy its power over us forevermore.
Beloved, you have been marked by the authority of Jesus in Baptism, Absolution and Supper. You have been healed of all sin and death by His almighty Word spoken over you--that rebukes your sin--rebukes the devil--rebukes death itself--promising you everlasting life by His side in glory. For you humbly repent of your sin and trust in His promises to make all things new and to cleanse you with His holy and precious blood. Dear friends, the Word of Jesus holds the highest authority in heaven and on earth. And that authority is proclaimed to you for your goodness and mercy and peace. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Matthew 8:1-13
A Question of Authority
v.8-9 But the centurion replied, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
Dear friends in Christ, we have as our text before us, Jesus' first miracles following His great sermon on the Mount in St. Matthew's Gospel. Jesus has been preaching and teaching and the crowds have been in amazement, as He has taught as One with authority. Now, beginning with the verses of our text, Jesus' ministry of miraculous deeds demonstrates this authority to all.
Authority is very important for us, isn't it? Indeed, our society would quickly crumble were it not for the authority of those around us. Authority is used to maintain law and order and mete out justice, both in the home and in our community. We rely on the authority of police officers, judges, politicians, teachers, and especially parents. These authorities set down rules and guidelines for people to follow so that there may be peace in the land. And these authorities have the power to punish those who would break that peace.
However, all such power and authority pales in comparison to He who is the Word of God made flesh--He who created the universe with His Almighty Word--He who has the authority over not just the body, but the soul as well. The Lord Jesus has authority to forgive, heal, and give eternal life and salvation.
And in our text we see a couple of examples of people who place their trust in Jesus and His authority to help them. First, is the leper. Against all rules of Jewish decorum and cleanliness laws, this man infected with leprosy approaches Jesus through a crowd (thereby risking ritual uncleanness upon anyone he might come into contact with). Kneeling before Jesus he prays most earnestly, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." His prayer is addressed to the Lord Most High, whom he knows has authority to make him clean again, but he leaves it in the gracious hands of the Lord Jesus. Begging Him, if He is willing, to make him clean.
Once again, against all rules of public decorum, Jesus reaches out His hand to touch the leper! But, in an amazing reversal, instead of Jesus becoming unclean, the leper is made clean by Jesus' touch! What joy! What amazing grace! For now, this leper, after being reminded by Jesus to seek out the priests and offer the prescribed sacrifice for his cleansing, is free to return home to his family and friends and participate in Jewish life and society once more. It is almost as if Jesus were saying, "Don't get distracted now. I know how overjoyed you are, but first you've got to take care of business, then you can go and live at peace with your family. Yet, I am willing--and now you are clean!"
While the faith in the authority of Jesus to heal was implicit in the words and actions of the leper, the Centurion is boldly explicit in his faith in Jesus' authority. Jesus, when approached by the Centurion, a Gentile, about a sick servant, is moved to ask the Centurion if he is truly asking Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, to come into his home. The Centurion's faith is made explicit here, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the Word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
Jesus marvels at the Centurion's faith in the authority of Jesus. And Jesus answers the Centurion's prayer, while also giving warning to the assembled Jews that they must have faith like this Gentile, otherwise they risk being lost to the kingdom and being thrown into the outer darkness.
You see, beloved, as Christians, everything depends upon Jesus and His authority. Faith in Him acknowledges one's own helplessness (due to our sinfulness) and yet trusts that Jesus is indeed willing and able to save. It is by Jesus' authority that you are forgiven for all your sins by God's grace in Word and Sacrament. It is by Jesus' authority that I humbly absolve you of your sin in the stead and by the name of Jesus. It is by Jesus' authority that you are called to faith and washed clean of all sin in the waters of Holy Baptism. It is by Jesus' authority that His own body and blood are really present in simple bread and wine for the forgiveness of all your sins. What a wonderful, blessed authority! For through these Sacraments Jesus is willing and able to make you clean and holy!
We Christians may be bold in our prayers and requests to God in all circumstances, knowing that He will answer us as is best for us, according to His will. He has not promised to heal every disease and injury this side of heaven, but He has promised on the Last Day that He will fully and completely devour all sin and death and destroy its power over us forevermore.
Beloved, you have been marked by the authority of Jesus in Baptism, Absolution and Supper. You have been healed of all sin and death by His almighty Word spoken over you--that rebukes your sin--rebukes the devil--rebukes death itself--promising you everlasting life by His side in glory. For you humbly repent of your sin and trust in His promises to make all things new and to cleanse you with His holy and precious blood. Dear friends, the Word of Jesus holds the highest authority in heaven and on earth. And that authority is proclaimed to you for your goodness and mercy and peace. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.