Now, Jesus presents the two options open to His listeners. They were now responsible for what they had heard and must make a choice. They could build on one of two foundations. One foundation was likened to a big rock and the other to sand. The foundation determines the ability of a structure to withstand the elements (rain and winds). The rock foundation represented the Lord Himself and the truths He had been presenting, especially the truth concerning inner transformation. The sand spoke of Pharisaic righteousness which the people knew and on which many were basing their hopes. In storms the first would give stability; the second would result in destruction. Thus hearing and heeding Jesus’ words is wise. But, the one who does not heed the words of Jesus is foolish. Only two courses of action are possible—two kinds of roads and gates (Matt. 7:13-14), two kinds of trees and fruit (v. 15-20), two kinds of foundations and builders (v. 24-27).
By this time, Jesus had authenticated Himself as the Messiah. In His sermon He announced the standards for entrance into His kingdom and clearly presented the way of access to it But the Jews still had questions on their minds. Could this One be the Messiah? If so, could He bring about the changes necessary to institute the kingdom? Did He have the power to bring about change? Matthew therefore presented a number of miracles to authenticate the King to Israel and to prove that He is able to perform His Word. These miracles demonstrated various realms in which Christ has authority.
The first healing Matthew recorded was that of a man with leprosy. But Jesus had performed several miracles before that. This man came to Jesus, acknowledging His authority as Lord. Jesus healed him—He touched the leper! (v. 3)—and then told him to go to the priest and offer the proper sacrifice for cleansing from leprosy, as Moses prescribed (two birds, wood, yarn, and hyssop on the first day - Lev. 14:4-10; and on the eighth day two male lambs, a ewe lamb, flour, and oil) Jesus told him not to tell anyone before he went to the priest. Apparently Jesus wanted the priest to be the first to examine him.
Jesus said this would be a testimony to the priests. And so it was, for in the entire history of the nation there was no record of any Israelite being healed from leprosy other than Miriam (Numbers 12:10-15). One can imagine the dramatic impact when this man suddenly appeared at the temple and announced to the priests that this man had been cured of leprosy! This event should have led to an examination of the circumstances surrounding the healing. Jesus in effect was presenting His “calling card” to the priests, for they would have to investigate His claims. (The healed man, however, disobeyed Jesus’ orders to tell no one, for he “began to talk freely” (Mark 1:45) Presumably, however, the man eventually made his way to the temple.
The second miracle dealing with disease also reflected on Jesus’ authority. As He entered Capernaum, a Roman centurion came asking for help. This Gentile approached Jesus as Lord and requested healing for a servant of his. He was paralyzed and suffering intensely, and he was near death (Luke 7:2).
When Jesus said He would go and heal him, the centurion replied that would not be necessary. As a man who was used to giving orders, he understood the principle of authority. One with authority does not need to be present to accomplish a task. Orders may be carried out by others even at a distance. Jesus marveled at the centurion’s great faith (Matt. 15:28), for this was the kind of faith He was vainly looking for in Israel. Faith such as this made entrance into His kingdom possible, regardless of national, racial, or geographical residence. But those who thought they would automatically gain entrance because of their religious backgrounds would not find entrance (Matt. 8:12). Instead they would be cast into judgment - thrown outside, into the darkness - 22:13 - a place where weeping and gnashing of teeth occurred. In light of this centurion’s faith, Jesus healed his servant at that very hour.
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have heard?)
So many things to focus on today. What foundation will people build their life on? Lord, speak to the hearts of our people - teach them and lead them to build their lives on the truths and principles of your word. Walk with Emily today and Lord teach her to rely on you daily and increase her desire to be in the word and spend time with you everyday.
"But the Lord's plans will stand forever; his ideas will last from now on. Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his very own. The Lord looks down from heaven and sees every person. From his throne he watches all who live on earth. He made their hearts and understands everything they do." Psalm 33:11-15 (NCV)
Another key thought - look at the faith of the centurion soldier. Jesus is looking for this type of faith in His followers. He is looking for this type of faith in me. 100% sold out faith. Father, I want to be this man. I will follow wherever you lead. I will do whatever you command. I will believe and obey whatever you say. Remind me, moment by moment what faith is;
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for." Hebrews 11:1-2 (NIV)
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. " Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
Lord, give me a mind and heart and the eyes of faith. Help me lead by faith and preach in faith and be the father to minds by faith and be the husband to Sharon by faith. Lord, give me the courage to risk and follow and act. Help me believe, by faith, that YOU will build YOUR church and YOU will change YOUR people and YOU will transform hearts and families and marriages. Lord, give us a powerful Sunday morning. Draw people here. Inspire our people to invite friends and neighbors. Make COV into a lighthouse.
PRAYER
Give me the faith of the men and women of old -
"By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.... By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren--was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. All these people were still living by faith when they died." Hebrews 11:4-13 (NIV)
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