In Matthew 8, Jesus’ ministry of miracles as the Messiah comes on the scene in drastic fashion. He heals a leper (8:1-4) a sick servant (8:5-13) a fever (8:14) and many who were sick (8:16). He likewise casts out demons (8:16, 28-34). And as if this weren’t enough, He also commands nature! He calms a storm on the sea that had professional fisherman quaking in their sandals (8:23-27). The kingdom of heaven, as Jesus pronounced, had drawn near. Miracles were a testament to the person of Christ. He wasn’t just any ordinary prophet. He wasn’t just a normal teacher. He was One who taught with authority and One who could work incredible miracles as He pleased. This man was the One through whom the Father made the world and the One who upholds the universe by the word of His power (Heb. 1:2-3). His extraordinary works left the disciples’ jaws dropped onto a wet, wooden boat floor as they pondered, “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and sea obey him?” (Matt. 8:27).
Interestingly, throughout the Gospels all sorts of people respond to the Messiah differently. His miracles instilled faith in some and skepticism in others. They instilled worship in some and fear in others. They instilled wonder in some and indifference in others. Yet, in this chapter today we see some accounts worth considering.
The first specific person to receive healing in Matthew’s Gospel was a leper, a social outcast. One who should’ve been quarantined away from the people. God’s instruction under the law concerning leprosy was:
“The leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean.’ 46 He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp.”
Lev. 13:45-46, ESV.
They were to be disheveled in their appearance and to pronounce their condition in order for others to keep their distance. Yet, one of them, had faith in Jesus Christ that brought him before the crowd. He came before Jesus, calling Him, “Lord” and stated his case that he believed that if Jesus were willing, he could make him clean (8:2). Jesus responded to the man’s faith by healing him with a touch of his hand (8:3). The leper had faith that brought him out of quarantine to experience deliverance at the hands of Christ.
Then comes a Roman centurion, a captain of 100 men in the Roman military. A foreigner. One to be detested. Not of the chosen people of Israel. He had a sick servant in need of a miracle and so he came to the true Captain. He, like the leper, addresses Christ as “Lord” and asks for a touch upon his servant (8:6). Jesus responded that He was willing to come and heal the servant but then the centurion responded that there was no need for this. For one, he was unworthy that Christ would come to his home. Instead, if Jesus would merely speak a word, the centurion believed the servant would be healed (8:8).
To this, the Lord Jesus, the eternal Word of God come in flesh, Immanuel, the long-awaited Messiah marveled. He was astonished, having never seen such faith, even in Israel (8:10). It’s an incredible thing to think that the Lord Jesus could exhibit these emotions. He’d been with the Father since the beginning. He’s eternal. He’s seen it all and He knows the future! Surely it would take something absolutely beyond compare to cause Him to marvel and a Gentile soldier in Rome’s camp pulled it off with his astonishing faith.
Funny enough, by the end of the chapter Jesus’ own disciples are criticized by the Lord for their lack of faith (8:26). After seeing so many miracles already, when danger was on the horizon with the storm at sea, they were afraid for their lives. They didn’t realize that if Jesus was in their boat they had nothing to worry about. The disciples didn’t get it quite yet, but a Roman soldier did. He had faith that astonished the Lord Jesus.
As I think to my own life, I wonder how strong my faith is compared to examples from Scripture. Hardship comes and I can be quick to imagine worst-case-scenarios. If I’d have been in the boat, would I have believed? Would I have trusted that with the Messiah I had nothing to fear, or would I have been on the floor in a fetal position? If I had a sick servant, would I have had the faith to rush to the Christ to ask for His healing word? Not even a healing touch? Would my faith and trust in Jesus’ ability and person have been something He’d marvel at, or something that He’d call out as “little faith?”
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