WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:29.980 Children of the congregation here, we thank you for Junior Church, for all who work there with them, all who love to serve you in that way. 00:00:29.980 --> 00:00:48.340 Different religions as something that could interest them, but Lord, we pray that you'd bless them, bless Christian teachers. Lord, we pray that you would be with our children. Again, we pray for a youth conference and we thank you for today. 00:00:48.840 --> 00:01:16.000 And Lord, many can look back on their experience as they've been to youth conferences in the past as they grew up and can identify with the blessing that they have been as they've grown up in the church and been blessed by the times of fellowship with young believers as they've grown up in our church. 00:01:16.000 --> 00:01:23.480 So, we'd remember that work and we thank you for all who are organizing the program this year. 00:01:23.840 --> 00:01:36.780 And we pray in maybe another blessed time of being aware of God's presence with them this, in the coming Easter time. 00:01:36.780 --> 00:01:48.780 So, Lord, we pray you'd bless us now as we continue to worship you this evening. We thank you that we can sing your praises and we can pray to you. 00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:51.000 And we aren't praying to an unknown God. 00:01:51.859 --> 00:02:00.340 We're praying to a God who has revealed himself to us and continues to reveal himself to us in a special way. 00:02:00.340 --> 00:02:05.180 Lord, bless Keith as he preaches to us this evening. 00:02:05.320 --> 00:02:09.480 Again, Lord, may he be aware that you are speaking through him. 00:02:10.180 --> 00:02:12.539 Thank you for the gifts you've given to him. 00:02:13.580 --> 00:02:17.379 And Lord, we thank you that we're here this evening. 00:02:17.599 --> 00:02:22.920 So, may the whole evening of time of worship be a blessing to us. 00:02:23.240 --> 00:02:25.840 These things we pray in Jesus' name. 00:02:26.680 --> 00:02:26.960 Amen. 00:02:26.960 --> 00:02:27.080 Amen. 00:02:30.340 --> 00:02:35.439 Well, we'll continue to worship God singing this evening. 00:02:36.480 --> 00:02:42.420 Killing the leaders in Psalm 103, 1 to 4 and 8 to 11. 00:02:42.680 --> 00:02:45.460 And the verses are on the screens. 00:02:45.460 --> 00:02:45.580 Amen. 00:02:54.900 --> 00:02:59.960 Praise God, my soul, with all my heart. 00:03:00.340 --> 00:03:05.640 Let me exalt his holy name. 00:03:05.640 --> 00:03:10.599 Forget not all his benefits. 00:03:11.020 --> 00:03:15.060 His praise my soul in song proclaim. 00:03:15.840 --> 00:03:20.860 The Lord forgives you all your sins. 00:03:20.860 --> 00:03:25.159 And heals your sickness and distress. 00:03:25.159 --> 00:03:30.919 Your life he rescues from the grave. 00:03:30.919 --> 00:03:35.819 And crowns you in his tenderness. 00:03:35.819 --> 00:03:41.079 And crowns you in his tenderness. 00:03:43.579 --> 00:03:49.460 The Lord is merciful and kind. 00:03:49.460 --> 00:03:54.620 To anger slow and full of grace. 00:03:54.620 --> 00:03:59.520 He will not constantly reprove. 00:03:59.520 --> 00:04:04.580 Or in his anger hide his face. 00:04:04.580 --> 00:04:09.719 He does not punish our misdeeds. 00:04:09.719 --> 00:04:14.680 Or give our sins their just reward. 00:04:14.680 --> 00:04:19.800 How great is love as high as heaven. 00:04:19.800 --> 00:04:25.060 Towards all those who fear the Lord. 00:04:25.060 --> 00:04:30.660 Towards all those who fear the Lord. 00:04:44.680 --> 00:04:57.240 Sorry, is that better? 00:04:58.180 --> 00:04:59.199 That was my mistake. 00:04:59.439 --> 00:04:59.900 User error. 00:05:00.579 --> 00:05:01.920 It's good to be with you this evening. 00:05:02.199 --> 00:05:04.379 I was preaching at S Valley earlier today. 00:05:04.740 --> 00:05:07.759 And while that's a blessing, it's always good to be back with your own people. 00:05:07.960 --> 00:05:10.160 So if we haven't met before, my name is Keith. 00:05:10.160 --> 00:05:13.620 We'd love to be able to speak with you after the service. 00:05:14.200 --> 00:05:16.460 Now we turn to the preaching of God's word. 00:05:16.560 --> 00:05:20.140 We're going to be continuing our study through the book of Matthew. 00:05:20.280 --> 00:05:22.160 We're going to be in Matthew chapter 8 tonight. 00:05:22.560 --> 00:05:25.280 This is on page 972 of the church Bible. 00:05:25.620 --> 00:05:28.200 We're going to be looking at verses 1 through 13. 00:05:28.300 --> 00:05:32.100 This passage that records this trio of miracles of Jesus. 00:05:32.200 --> 00:05:35.620 The very first ones recorded in the gospel. 00:05:35.620 --> 00:05:41.300 But by way of introduction, if we can go back in time to May of 1940. 00:05:42.259 --> 00:05:45.180 There was a new election for prime minister. 00:05:45.980 --> 00:05:47.319 And Churchill comes to power. 00:05:47.939 --> 00:05:50.439 We're only eight months into World War II. 00:05:50.579 --> 00:05:54.899 And the Nazis have pretty much moved unopposed through much of Western Europe. 00:05:54.959 --> 00:05:56.800 And there's this fear growing in the UK. 00:05:57.379 --> 00:05:59.720 Will the Nazis reach the island? 00:06:00.500 --> 00:06:02.540 Is there any way to stop Hitler's advance? 00:06:02.540 --> 00:06:08.560 And of course, Churchill was not shy in voicing his opposition of Hitler and the Nazis. 00:06:08.900 --> 00:06:12.500 Reiterating his plan to secure victory however long the road may take. 00:06:12.580 --> 00:06:20.660 So even just a short time, a mere few weeks into his position as prime minister. 00:06:20.800 --> 00:06:22.480 He gives this very famous speech. 00:06:23.040 --> 00:06:27.100 And I'm sure many of us even know the words to on 4th of June 1940. 00:06:28.220 --> 00:06:30.860 And he speaks of though even though much of Europe has fallen. 00:06:30.860 --> 00:06:35.020 He goes on to say this, that we shall go on to the end. 00:06:35.879 --> 00:06:37.060 We shall fight in France. 00:06:37.800 --> 00:06:39.780 We shall fight on the seas and the oceans. 00:06:40.100 --> 00:06:43.360 We shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air. 00:06:43.840 --> 00:06:47.139 We shall defend our island whatever the cost may be. 00:06:47.879 --> 00:06:48.920 We shall fight on the beaches. 00:06:49.439 --> 00:06:51.139 We shall fight on the landing grounds. 00:06:51.259 --> 00:06:53.819 We shall fight in the fields and in the streets. 00:06:53.980 --> 00:06:55.300 We shall fight in the hills. 00:06:55.879 --> 00:06:57.540 We shall never surrender. 00:06:57.540 --> 00:07:02.560 Of course, we know Churchill was a rather famous orator. 00:07:03.160 --> 00:07:04.340 A rather gifted one. 00:07:04.600 --> 00:07:11.180 And while these words are very inspiring in this speech, they would have made no difference to the British people had they not been backed up with action. 00:07:12.200 --> 00:07:15.640 When Churchill came to power, he quickly asserted his authority. 00:07:15.639 --> 00:07:26.060 He quickly authorized Operation Dynamo, which rescued 300,000 troops from the beaches of Normandy, brought them back to the UK. 00:07:26.300 --> 00:07:28.300 He reorganized military leadership. 00:07:28.560 --> 00:07:31.819 He committed financial resources to this ongoing struggle. 00:07:31.939 --> 00:07:35.259 He prepared a nation for what was going to be real sacrifice. 00:07:35.259 --> 00:07:42.839 And so we see here that his words were not simply empty rhetoric, but they were backed up by decisive and costly action. 00:07:43.719 --> 00:07:52.339 So what we see in this passage, where we are in Matthew right now, we see this relationship between words and actions. 00:07:52.680 --> 00:08:01.500 We're at this shifting point in Matthew because leading up to Matthew 8, we have Matthew recording the Sermon on the Mount for three chapters, Jesus teaching. 00:08:01.500 --> 00:08:08.879 And we see that he's describing this new ethic on the Sermon on the Mount, this new way of living, this new way of thinking. 00:08:09.399 --> 00:08:12.060 And we recognize that people were taken aback. 00:08:12.180 --> 00:08:14.959 They were astonished at this teaching, teaching they'd never heard before. 00:08:16.040 --> 00:08:19.040 But as we arrive here in chapter 8, we witness this shift. 00:08:20.019 --> 00:08:29.939 Because Matthew is pointing out Jesus is not simply a wise teacher, not just an inspirational speaker, not just some wise sage who's trying to garner attention. 00:08:29.939 --> 00:08:40.299 But he is this promised Messiah who comes with all power and authority to establish a new kingdom, to overthrow the reign of the evil one. 00:08:41.320 --> 00:08:44.620 So let's look at our passage, Matthew chapter 8, starting in verse 1. 00:08:45.620 --> 00:08:49.159 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, a large crowd followed him. 00:08:49.879 --> 00:08:52.419 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, 00:08:52.539 --> 00:08:54.559 Lord, if you are willing, make me clean. 00:08:55.799 --> 00:08:58.139 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. 00:08:58.139 --> 00:09:01.220 I am willing, he said, be clean. 00:09:02.059 --> 00:09:04.299 Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 00:09:05.139 --> 00:09:05.919 Then Jesus said to him, 00:09:06.039 --> 00:09:12.919 See that you do not tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priests and offer the gifts Moses commanded as a testimony to them. 00:09:14.080 --> 00:09:18.100 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him asking for help. 00:09:18.659 --> 00:09:22.100 Lord, he said, my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly. 00:09:23.080 --> 00:09:23.939 Jesus said to him, 00:09:24.159 --> 00:09:25.399 Shall I come and heal him? 00:09:25.399 --> 00:09:27.240 A centurion replied, 00:09:27.399 --> 00:09:32.699 Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof, but just say the word and my servant will be healed. 00:09:33.459 --> 00:09:37.319 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. 00:09:37.919 --> 00:09:39.720 I tell this one, go, and he goes. 00:09:39.860 --> 00:09:41.360 And that one, come, and he comes. 00:09:41.419 --> 00:09:43.559 I say to my servant, do this, and he does it. 00:09:44.480 --> 00:09:48.279 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, 00:09:48.279 --> 00:09:52.699 Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 00:09:53.799 --> 00:10:02.319 I say to you that many will come from east and the west and will take their places at the feast with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 00:10:03.159 --> 00:10:08.740 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside into darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:11.339 Then Jesus said to the centurion, 00:10:11.340 --> 00:10:14.780 Let it be done just as you believed it would. 00:10:15.420 --> 00:10:17.660 And his servant was healed at that moment. 00:10:18.740 --> 00:10:23.139 When Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 00:10:23.899 --> 00:10:27.560 He touched her hand, and the fever left, and she got up and began to wait on him. 00:10:28.480 --> 00:10:32.060 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him. 00:10:32.460 --> 00:10:35.980 And he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 00:10:36.820 --> 00:10:39.560 And this was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah. 00:10:39.559 --> 00:10:41.379 He took up our infirmaries. 00:10:41.699 --> 00:10:43.019 He bore our diseases. 00:10:44.059 --> 00:10:45.339 This is the word of God. 00:10:45.659 --> 00:10:46.319 Will you pray with me? 00:10:49.359 --> 00:10:55.799 Lord, as we come to the preaching of your word, we ask that you give us eyes to see Jesus clearly. 00:10:56.759 --> 00:11:00.839 Not just as a teacher of truth, but as a compassionate king. 00:11:00.840 --> 00:11:10.220 We ask, Lord, that you cleanse our hearts, that we may have understanding, that you strengthen our faith to trust in your word. 00:11:11.200 --> 00:11:14.960 That you may soften our wills, that we may respond in obedience. 00:11:16.100 --> 00:11:19.940 May we sense this evening the nearness of your kingdom. 00:11:20.899 --> 00:11:22.240 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:23.420 Amen. 00:11:23.419 --> 00:11:32.659 Well, as we dig into this passage, as we consider these three miracles of Jesus, I think it's worth considering miracles more broadly. 00:11:32.879 --> 00:11:35.360 Why did Jesus perform miracles? 00:11:36.919 --> 00:11:43.399 Throughout the Gospels, Jesus' miracles are commonly referred to as acts of power or mighty works in the Greek. 00:11:43.399 --> 00:11:50.539 And they're not meant to simply highlight physical transformation, but to point out deeper spiritual reality. 00:11:51.539 --> 00:11:56.860 And so what I think these miracles reveal to us here is something about the true identity of Jesus. 00:11:58.079 --> 00:12:03.720 As I mentioned, if you're new to the Bible and you only read the Sermon on the Mount, and you knew nothing else of Jesus, 00:12:03.819 --> 00:12:06.459 you'd probably conclude he was some wise teacher. 00:12:07.319 --> 00:12:10.519 But Matthew is going much further than this in his Gospel. 00:12:10.519 --> 00:12:15.240 He wants us to gain a true understanding of Jesus' real identity. 00:12:16.220 --> 00:12:19.340 Even to the point that it leaves the disciples saying later in Matthew, 00:12:19.720 --> 00:12:21.059 what sort of man is this? 00:12:22.199 --> 00:12:26.480 And so when we consider these miracles today, I want us to consider what they reveal to us about Jesus. 00:12:27.199 --> 00:12:28.819 Three things I want us to focus on. 00:12:28.899 --> 00:12:30.399 First, the compassion of Jesus. 00:12:31.179 --> 00:12:33.000 Second, the authority of Jesus. 00:12:33.720 --> 00:12:36.220 And third, the mission of Jesus. 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:39.860 So let's think first about the compassion of Jesus. 00:12:39.860 --> 00:12:45.480 We see right off this leper comes to Jesus and is asked to be made clean. 00:12:45.600 --> 00:12:50.980 I think it's important that we understand the cultural context and what is taking place here. 00:12:51.680 --> 00:12:56.580 Those who were around Jesus who saw this happen, their minds likely would have gone to Old Testament law. 00:12:57.240 --> 00:13:01.120 Law that talks about the leper in Leviticus 13 and 14. 00:13:01.120 --> 00:13:06.759 Leprosy was this all-encompassing term that includes this wide variety of skin diseases. 00:13:06.919 --> 00:13:09.399 It really defined who that person was. 00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:14.100 And in a way, there was no other disease that was treated the same in the Old Testament. 00:13:14.980 --> 00:13:18.799 So if a leper touched a cup, that cup would be unclean. 00:13:18.860 --> 00:13:21.740 If you were to touch someone's clothes, those clothes would be unclean. 00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:25.720 If you were to touch the wall of a house, that house would be unclean. 00:13:26.680 --> 00:13:30.720 He was a social outcast with no place among God's people. 00:13:31.120 --> 00:13:33.639 He was instructed to dwell outside the camp. 00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:36.120 To leave behind friends and family. 00:13:36.220 --> 00:13:37.519 To go off and live by himself. 00:13:37.620 --> 00:13:40.700 So he wasn't allowed even to come and worship in the temple. 00:13:42.039 --> 00:13:44.180 This is what it says in Leviticus 13, 45. 00:13:44.179 --> 00:13:45.399 It says, 00:13:45.500 --> 00:13:52.539 The leprous person who has this disease shall wear torn clothes and let his hair on his head hang loose. 00:13:52.659 --> 00:13:57.099 And he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, unclean, unclean. 00:13:58.419 --> 00:14:03.459 I think what we see here in this description of this disease is really what God thinks about sin. 00:14:04.959 --> 00:14:08.679 That because of our sin, we are unfit for fellowship with God. 00:14:08.819 --> 00:14:11.019 Unfit for fellowship with his people. 00:14:11.019 --> 00:14:41.000 Unfit for fellowship with his people. 00:14:41.019 --> 00:14:42.939 Rather in a sense of desperation, he says, 00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:46.000 Am I God to kill and make alive? 00:14:47.679 --> 00:14:51.840 You see, he was equating this cleansing of leprosy with the raising of the dead. 00:14:53.199 --> 00:14:57.659 And so we see this symbolic, this disease having this symbolic meaning. 00:14:57.779 --> 00:15:02.519 It goes far beyond just a skin condition, but it really goes to the heart. 00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:07.419 To the corruption of our whole nature, which requires divine intervention. 00:15:07.819 --> 00:15:10.939 If we're truly going to be healed and cleansed of our sins. 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:17.439 And so this all the more should help us understand how wonderful this being the first miracle in the gospel. 00:15:17.579 --> 00:15:19.279 The first miracle that Matthew records. 00:15:20.819 --> 00:15:21.500 And so think for a second. 00:15:21.579 --> 00:15:22.759 What's the mindset of this leper? 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:28.519 He knows that if he were to have even a casual interaction with somebody, he's going to make them unclean. 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:32.779 He knows that culture and the law tells him to stay away from people. 00:15:32.840 --> 00:15:33.620 But what does he do? 00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:35.940 He comes toward Jesus. 00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:38.940 And so we should see the significance of this action. 00:15:39.039 --> 00:15:42.060 Just how audacious, just how brazen he's being here. 00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:44.419 And how does Jesus respond? 00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:46.179 It says in verse 3, 00:15:46.220 --> 00:15:48.320 He stretched out his hand and he touched him. 00:15:48.320 --> 00:15:52.560 Again, this is a man who is an outcast from society. 00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:55.420 Legally, culturally, physically, he's unclean. 00:15:56.340 --> 00:15:57.660 And what does Jesus do? 00:15:58.160 --> 00:15:59.040 He doesn't reject him. 00:15:59.120 --> 00:16:00.020 He touches him. 00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:05.139 I think we see here is an act of identification on Jesus' part. 00:16:06.360 --> 00:16:12.460 He's willing to identify with his leprosy, identify with his defilement, even to identify with his sin. 00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:18.579 We see similar interactions that Jesus has then with this centurion in verse 5. 00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:20.740 Jesus entered Capernaum. 00:16:21.139 --> 00:16:22.819 Centurion came to him asking for help. 00:16:22.939 --> 00:16:26.860 Lord, he said, my servant lie at home paralyzed, suffering terribly. 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:36.220 Again, just like this leper, I think it's important to understand the cultural context of how this Roman soldier would have been viewed. 00:16:36.340 --> 00:16:40.419 This is a Gentile man, someone outside of the circle of Judaism. 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:43.460 Even more so, he's a Roman soldier. 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:46.860 The Romans were the ones who were oppressing and occupying the Jews. 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:51.420 The Jews were praying that the Messiah would come to free them from Roman occupation. 00:16:51.419 --> 00:16:57.459 And so, just like this leper, this Roman soldier would have been considered unclean. 00:16:58.419 --> 00:17:01.759 He was associated with idolatry, worship of false gods. 00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:04.319 He was outside of God's covenant people. 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:07.920 He lacked access to the temple for cleansing and sacrifice. 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:14.079 So, there would never have been a good and faithful Jew who would ever want to associate with a Roman soldier. 00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:16.619 But what does Jesus do? 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:21.480 He offers not only to associate with him, he offers to come to his home. 00:17:22.139 --> 00:17:25.599 An act that a Jewish person would have thought would have made them unclean. 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:29.659 Jesus moves in compassion, willing to identify with his Gentile. 00:17:30.339 --> 00:17:32.039 Willing to identify with an outsider. 00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:34.599 Identify even with an enemy. 00:17:36.539 --> 00:17:38.079 We move to verse 14. 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:40.359 Jesus came to Peter's house. 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:42.819 He saw Peter's mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:45.419 He touched her hand and the fever left her. 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:49.099 So, a third time, Jesus is going against the cultural norm. 00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:54.539 In that day and age, a Jewish woman would have held a lower social status than a man. 00:17:54.899 --> 00:18:02.480 So, if this woman was lying sick in bed, it would have been totally against culture and custom for a man to approach her and be near to her. 00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:04.000 But Jesus goes and touches her. 00:18:05.319 --> 00:18:10.939 And something even unique about this one, because in the first two instances, the leper and the centurion come to Jesus. 00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:20.840 In this one, we see Jesus not even being asked, moving in this woman, moving toward this woman, seeking to restore her health. 00:18:22.220 --> 00:18:26.860 And so, in each of these encounters, we see this incredible, miraculous compassion. 00:18:26.859 --> 00:18:36.879 And so, I wonder, in our day and age, when people outside the church think of this Christian God, what is their opinion of him? 00:18:37.619 --> 00:18:38.819 How do they characterize him? 00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:49.179 Probably many would think, well, he's just this distant, harsh, oppressive God who's just waiting for someone to mess up so he can bring down the hammer and judge us. 00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:54.319 Thinking of someone we've got to do enough good in order to gain his love. 00:18:54.319 --> 00:18:55.700 We have to be constantly obedient. 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:58.879 We've got to kind of twist his arm in order that he accept us. 00:19:00.119 --> 00:19:03.220 We see something very different in this picture in our passage. 00:19:05.019 --> 00:19:08.139 It's the compassion of Jesus that he moves toward the outcast. 00:19:09.439 --> 00:19:11.500 He identifies with their illness. 00:19:11.659 --> 00:19:13.240 He desires to bring restoration. 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:20.779 And so, I wonder, even to those of us who are in Christ, if we sometimes doubt this. 00:19:22.120 --> 00:19:26.620 Because I think we can get this false idea in our head that we still have to earn God's favor somehow. 00:19:28.120 --> 00:19:33.319 That we, especially when we fall into sin, we think, well, we've got to get ourselves back in order. 00:19:33.380 --> 00:19:37.539 We've got to get back on the straight and narrow before God will truly desire to forgive us. 00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:43.539 Sometimes we just want to wallow in our shame and the embarrassment of our sin. 00:19:43.619 --> 00:19:47.379 We don't think we can approach God, and so we just grow more and more distant. 00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:51.839 But this is a simple truth that we see in our passage. 00:19:52.899 --> 00:19:54.740 That Jesus loves you. 00:19:54.740 --> 00:20:01.519 Jesus loves you and desires to shower you with his compassion. 00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:12.160 In our sin and in our filth, in our shame and in our guilt, he moves toward us in his compassion. 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:21.460 And so, I urge each of us this evening that we may have the same audacity of this leper and centurion to move toward Christ. 00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:25.420 If you've never done that before, to recognize that he loves and he cares for you. 00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:31.860 For those of us who have experienced his love, may we never forget his constant compassion. 00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:36.759 His desire to bring cleansing to us. 00:20:38.579 --> 00:20:40.340 So that brings us to our second point. 00:20:41.120 --> 00:20:45.920 Not only do these miracles highlight Jesus' compassion, but they also highlight his authority. 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:50.720 Many of you saw my parents who were visiting over Christmas. 00:20:51.420 --> 00:20:56.080 It was a blessing to have them here, but on the way here, they had some traveling difficulties. 00:20:56.400 --> 00:21:01.380 They were supposed to fly from Florida to New York to Edinburgh, but because of some bad weather in New York, 00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:04.580 their plane never arrived in Florida, and they were going to miss their flight to Edinburgh, 00:21:04.759 --> 00:21:07.200 so they had to get their flights rebooked for the next day. 00:21:07.640 --> 00:21:10.900 The problem was they had already checked in their bags when all this was rearranged, 00:21:10.900 --> 00:21:16.120 and so they had to wait for their bags to come out so they could collect them so they'd go back home and then come again tomorrow. 00:21:16.340 --> 00:21:21.180 But long story short is they waited in the airport for six hours in order to get their luggage. 00:21:22.540 --> 00:21:25.080 And they went to the desk, and they explained the situation, 00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:29.320 and the woman was, of course, kind and trying to explain that they'll be out shortly, 00:21:29.380 --> 00:21:30.420 so they waited some more. 00:21:31.220 --> 00:21:32.940 And they go to the desk again and say, 00:21:32.940 --> 00:21:37.460 We need our bags, and the lady's trying to express some sort of sympathy and says, 00:21:37.560 --> 00:21:38.759 Yes, they'll be out soon. 00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:42.359 She expressed her apologies in turn, but still no bags. 00:21:44.119 --> 00:21:47.119 So we see that this airport personnel at this desk, 00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:50.059 they tried to express compassion, 00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:53.759 but they had no authority to actually bring about change. 00:21:54.619 --> 00:21:56.160 My parents didn't want sympathy. 00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:57.119 They wanted their luggage. 00:21:59.079 --> 00:22:01.440 So I think in our passage, we see something very similar, 00:22:01.519 --> 00:22:04.180 because the compassion of Jesus would have been worthless 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:06.980 if it wasn't accompanied by his authority. 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:10.440 These individuals that Jesus healed would have cared very little 00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:12.480 if he came up to them and simply said, 00:22:12.620 --> 00:22:13.140 I'm sorry. 00:22:13.940 --> 00:22:15.579 I really feel bad for you. 00:22:16.279 --> 00:22:17.180 I wish you well. 00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:23.039 But instead, what we see is that they recognize his authority. 00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:26.039 This centurion says in verse 8, 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:29.619 Lord, I do not deserve to have you even come under my roof, 00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:31.619 but say the words and my servant will be healed. 00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:35.700 For I myself am a man under authority with soldiers under me. 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:37.220 I tell this one, go, and he goes. 00:22:37.319 --> 00:22:38.519 This one, come, and he comes. 00:22:39.079 --> 00:22:41.339 I say to the servant, do this, and he does it. 00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:47.899 The centurion recognized the supernatural authority of Jesus. 00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:49.799 He was not a mere man. 00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:52.119 He was not simply a wise teacher. 00:22:52.119 --> 00:22:55.659 He was the divine Messiah with the ultimate authority 00:22:55.659 --> 00:22:58.959 to bring about immediate and complete healing. 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:04.219 And so notice the ease at which Jesus heals here. 00:23:05.500 --> 00:23:10.259 With his mere touch, he heals the leper and Peter's mother-in-law. 00:23:11.519 --> 00:23:12.879 Doesn't prescribe any medication. 00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:14.099 Doesn't say, well, come back in a week, 00:23:14.159 --> 00:23:14.939 we'll see how you're doing. 00:23:16.399 --> 00:23:18.619 And even to the centurion, he doesn't even have to be present. 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:20.879 At a distance, he provides healing. 00:23:20.880 --> 00:23:24.820 And what we see in each situation, the healing is immediate. 00:23:27.380 --> 00:23:31.220 We see that creation here does not hesitate 00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:33.380 to respond to the commands of the creator. 00:23:36.060 --> 00:23:38.260 Think about how these miracles were a bit different 00:23:38.260 --> 00:23:39.720 from what we see in the Old Testament. 00:23:39.860 --> 00:23:42.680 These, again, are the first miracles recorded in the New Testament. 00:23:42.760 --> 00:23:43.980 If we go back to the Old Testament 00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:46.320 and think again about Elisha and Elijah, 00:23:47.280 --> 00:23:50.440 it records that both of them brought a child back from the dead. 00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:54.460 But in both instances, it tells how they did this. 00:23:54.520 --> 00:23:55.920 It says they cried out to the Lord, 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:57.040 that they prayed to the Lord, 00:23:57.060 --> 00:23:58.360 and the Lord answered their prayers 00:23:58.360 --> 00:24:00.120 and brought these children back to life. 00:24:00.360 --> 00:24:02.600 The power to heal was external to them. 00:24:04.120 --> 00:24:05.300 We see here something very different. 00:24:05.420 --> 00:24:06.460 Jesus does not pray. 00:24:07.040 --> 00:24:09.700 He doesn't need to summon some sort of external power. 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:11.740 For he is God. 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:15.599 And in himself is all power and authority. 00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:20.440 And of course, we see this authority not only demonstrated in this power, 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:22.500 but really throughout Matthew's Gospel. 00:24:22.660 --> 00:24:23.500 He heals the sick. 00:24:23.599 --> 00:24:24.460 He casts out demons. 00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:25.559 He calms the sea. 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:27.039 He raises the dead. 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:28.720 Even himself. 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:31.620 Raising himself from the dead. 00:24:31.700 --> 00:24:33.019 He rose from the grave. 00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:35.980 Leading us to what we see at the very end of Matthew, 00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:38.200 where Jesus proclaims before his ascension, 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:41.860 all authority on heaven and earth has been given to me. 00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:44.759 All authority. 00:24:44.860 --> 00:24:46.319 Not just the authority of the natural world. 00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:48.140 Not just the authority over sickness. 00:24:48.980 --> 00:24:49.720 All authority. 00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:51.440 Over the supernatural. 00:24:52.140 --> 00:24:52.860 Over the spiritual. 00:24:54.599 --> 00:24:55.400 And so these miracles, 00:24:55.579 --> 00:24:57.640 they're not simply just acts of compassion. 00:24:57.779 --> 00:25:01.039 They really prove the arrival of the king 00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:02.359 who has come to make right 00:25:02.359 --> 00:25:04.319 all that's been broken by the fall. 00:25:06.639 --> 00:25:07.019 And so we, 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:09.819 what happens when these people 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:11.700 recognize the authority of Jesus? 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:12.519 How do they respond? 00:25:14.099 --> 00:25:15.339 It says they respond in faith. 00:25:16.559 --> 00:25:18.720 Faith that's even far greater than anything 00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:21.079 any Jesus had seen of anyone else in Israel. 00:25:23.079 --> 00:25:24.819 And so a question for us is, 00:25:25.339 --> 00:25:27.480 do we share in that faith 00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:30.059 in the compassion and the authority of Jesus? 00:25:31.899 --> 00:25:34.299 I think oftentimes our circumstances 00:25:34.299 --> 00:25:35.680 may cause us to doubt 00:25:35.680 --> 00:25:38.319 the compassion and authority of Jesus. 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:42.420 Maybe we can see in this passage, 00:25:42.579 --> 00:25:44.339 okay, Jesus is asserting his authority 00:25:44.339 --> 00:25:45.920 in his earthly ministry, 00:25:45.920 --> 00:25:46.980 but what is he doing now? 00:25:48.299 --> 00:25:50.359 Because we may know people who are ill. 00:25:51.859 --> 00:25:53.019 Or maybe we, 00:25:53.379 --> 00:25:55.200 you or I are unwell ourselves 00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:56.500 or struggling in some way, 00:25:56.599 --> 00:25:58.879 physically or spiritually or emotionally 00:25:58.879 --> 00:26:01.000 or some other hardship that we're facing. 00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:04.059 And we might ask, 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:05.480 God, you healed this leper. 00:26:05.599 --> 00:26:06.819 Why can't you heal me? 00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:09.379 And we begin to wonder, 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:10.500 can we trust God? 00:26:11.460 --> 00:26:12.859 Is he really in control? 00:26:15.859 --> 00:26:17.799 We think about our dear brother Duncan, 00:26:19.799 --> 00:26:21.339 battling cancer for years 00:26:21.339 --> 00:26:22.720 and moved to hospice this week. 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:25.700 And we as a church 00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:26.660 have been praying for him 00:26:26.660 --> 00:26:28.140 for years and years 00:26:28.140 --> 00:26:30.740 and doesn't seem that healing 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.319 is gonna come. 00:26:34.339 --> 00:26:35.420 So what are we to do? 00:26:36.579 --> 00:26:37.700 Are we to doubt 00:26:37.700 --> 00:26:38.960 the compassion 00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:40.440 and the authority of Jesus? 00:26:42.500 --> 00:26:42.920 No. 00:26:42.920 --> 00:26:48.120 We remember that Jesus' miracles 00:26:48.120 --> 00:26:51.220 point to a deeper spiritual reality. 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:54.180 That he did not come 00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:56.580 merely to bring physical health, 00:26:57.320 --> 00:26:58.860 but spiritual life. 00:27:00.860 --> 00:27:04.720 Cancer is only a symptom of the fall. 00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:08.500 And Jesus didn't come 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:10.059 simply to treat symptoms. 00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:14.700 He came to fix the root of the problem, 00:27:15.400 --> 00:27:15.900 our sin. 00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:19.900 Paul says in Ephesians 00:27:19.900 --> 00:27:22.360 that we are dead in our sins. 00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:26.100 But because of God's great love for us, 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:27.319 he made us alive with Christ. 00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:29.480 For by grace, 00:27:29.579 --> 00:27:31.119 you have been saved through faith. 00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:34.519 And so do we respond 00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:35.859 with this faith 00:27:35.859 --> 00:27:38.659 that the centurion man had? 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:42.659 To recognize that we can't save ourselves, 00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:43.839 that we do not come 00:27:43.839 --> 00:27:45.779 with any sense of worthiness to Jesus 00:27:45.779 --> 00:27:48.019 thinking that we have merit on our own. 00:27:49.919 --> 00:27:53.019 But do we place our trust in Jesus 00:27:53.019 --> 00:27:55.399 as the only one who can save? 00:27:57.319 --> 00:28:00.839 That brings us to our final point. 00:28:01.899 --> 00:28:03.819 That these miracles reveal to us 00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:05.439 the mission of Jesus. 00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:08.980 Think again about Churchill. 00:28:09.859 --> 00:28:11.039 What was his mission 00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:12.539 in becoming prime minister? 00:28:13.220 --> 00:28:14.980 Was it to appease the Nazis? 00:28:16.379 --> 00:28:17.220 Was it to broker 00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:18.759 and negotiate some peace treaty? 00:28:18.899 --> 00:28:19.119 No. 00:28:19.720 --> 00:28:20.700 It was absolute, 00:28:21.099 --> 00:28:22.619 unmitigated victory 00:28:22.619 --> 00:28:23.839 for the United Kingdom. 00:28:23.839 --> 00:28:27.559 We see a very similar thing 00:28:27.559 --> 00:28:28.279 in our gospel. 00:28:30.339 --> 00:28:32.759 Matthew often speaks of a kingdom, 00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:34.539 a different kingdom, 00:28:34.659 --> 00:28:35.500 the kingdom of God. 00:28:36.659 --> 00:28:38.480 And so how is this kingdom brought about? 00:28:39.159 --> 00:28:40.439 Look in verse 16 and 17. 00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:41.699 We see a rather surprising 00:28:41.699 --> 00:28:43.480 Old Testament reference. 00:28:45.119 --> 00:28:46.399 The centurion says to Jesus, 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:46.579 Lord, 00:28:46.639 --> 00:28:47.740 I don't deserve to have you 00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:48.839 come under my roof. 00:28:48.899 --> 00:28:49.539 Just say the word 00:28:49.539 --> 00:28:50.559 and my servant will be healed. 00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:54.159 For I myself a man under authority 00:28:54.159 --> 00:28:55.940 with soldiers under me. 00:28:57.599 --> 00:28:58.579 Let this one go 00:28:58.579 --> 00:28:59.000 and he goes 00:28:59.000 --> 00:28:59.599 and this one come 00:28:59.599 --> 00:29:00.059 and he comes. 00:29:00.119 --> 00:29:01.399 How does Jesus respond to this? 00:29:03.099 --> 00:29:04.940 He says that he hasn't seen 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:06.740 such faith in anyone 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:09.639 in all of Israel. 00:29:10.919 --> 00:29:11.919 And so looking back 00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:16.140 at verse 17. 00:29:17.700 --> 00:29:19.019 It goes on to say 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:20.080 that he healed 00:29:20.080 --> 00:29:20.960 the demon possessed 00:29:20.960 --> 00:29:23.180 and all who were 00:29:23.180 --> 00:29:25.779 all who were sick 00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:26.340 he healed. 00:29:28.080 --> 00:29:29.259 And this is to fulfill 00:29:29.259 --> 00:29:29.840 what was spoken 00:29:29.840 --> 00:29:31.080 by the prophet Isaiah. 00:29:31.620 --> 00:29:33.460 He took up our infirmaries 00:29:33.460 --> 00:29:34.180 and he bore 00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:35.380 our diseases. 00:29:37.880 --> 00:29:38.700 This is what 00:29:38.700 --> 00:29:40.700 a passage from Matthew 53 00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:41.840 what Neil read 00:29:41.840 --> 00:29:42.860 for us earlier. 00:29:44.220 --> 00:29:44.920 It's a passage 00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:45.740 that probably are familiar 00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:46.319 to many of us. 00:29:46.400 --> 00:29:47.799 It's a suffering servant passage. 00:29:50.580 --> 00:29:51.460 Many times 00:29:51.460 --> 00:29:52.019 this is actually 00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:52.799 referenced often 00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:53.680 in the New Testament. 00:29:54.400 --> 00:29:54.880 But it's funny 00:29:54.880 --> 00:29:55.500 that each time 00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:55.920 it's referenced 00:29:55.920 --> 00:29:56.380 in the New Testament 00:29:56.380 --> 00:29:57.700 it's always pointing to 00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:59.400 Jesus' sacrifice 00:29:59.400 --> 00:30:00.080 on the cross. 00:30:00.259 --> 00:30:01.000 Only here 00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:02.100 in Matthew 8 00:30:02.100 --> 00:30:03.440 is it linked 00:30:03.440 --> 00:30:04.759 to this healing 00:30:04.759 --> 00:30:05.660 that Jesus performs. 00:30:05.840 --> 00:30:06.500 Why is that? 00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:09.160 Because Jesus sees 00:30:09.160 --> 00:30:10.119 that our sickness 00:30:10.119 --> 00:30:11.660 is caused by our sin. 00:30:12.859 --> 00:30:13.759 And that doesn't mean 00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:14.539 that we get sick 00:30:14.539 --> 00:30:15.579 because of our sin 00:30:15.579 --> 00:30:16.500 in this day and age 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:17.599 and we need to repent 00:30:17.599 --> 00:30:18.539 and then we get sick again 00:30:18.539 --> 00:30:19.079 and we need to repent. 00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:19.680 No, he's saying 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:20.279 that our sickness 00:30:20.279 --> 00:30:21.500 and sadness 00:30:21.500 --> 00:30:22.539 our suffering 00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:23.039 and death 00:30:23.039 --> 00:30:23.559 enter the world 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:24.440 because of Adam's 00:30:24.440 --> 00:30:25.259 original sin 00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:26.160 because of the fall 00:30:26.160 --> 00:30:26.599 of man. 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:29.259 And so by linking 00:30:29.259 --> 00:30:30.000 this prophecy 00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:30.819 to our passage 00:30:30.819 --> 00:30:31.960 Matthew's really emphasizing 00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:32.940 that our sin 00:30:32.940 --> 00:30:34.240 must be dealt with. 00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:36.620 This is why 00:30:36.620 --> 00:30:37.420 Jesus came 00:30:37.420 --> 00:30:38.120 into the world. 00:30:38.559 --> 00:30:39.120 These miracles 00:30:39.120 --> 00:30:39.799 point 00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:41.240 they point us 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:41.880 to the cross 00:30:41.880 --> 00:30:42.980 where Jesus identifies 00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:44.039 with our fallenness 00:30:44.039 --> 00:30:45.200 where he takes up 00:30:45.200 --> 00:30:45.740 our sin. 00:30:46.140 --> 00:30:46.880 This is the mission 00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:48.000 for why Jesus came 00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:50.279 to shed his blood 00:30:50.279 --> 00:30:50.920 on the cross 00:30:50.920 --> 00:30:51.440 for the payment 00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:52.420 of our sins 00:30:52.420 --> 00:30:54.120 that we might receive 00:30:54.120 --> 00:30:54.920 his righteousness 00:30:54.920 --> 00:30:56.420 as he takes on 00:30:56.420 --> 00:30:56.859 our guilt 00:30:56.859 --> 00:30:57.779 that we may be seen 00:30:57.779 --> 00:30:58.559 as cleansed 00:30:58.559 --> 00:30:59.259 and pure 00:30:59.259 --> 00:31:01.240 inside of the Father. 00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:04.079 And so each 00:31:04.079 --> 00:31:05.339 of these miracles 00:31:05.339 --> 00:31:06.519 each of these 00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:07.480 miraculous healings 00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:07.939 of Jesus 00:31:07.939 --> 00:31:09.240 they should point 00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:10.259 to the future 00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:11.799 of each person 00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:12.939 whom Christ saved. 00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:15.599 And so you may ask 00:31:15.599 --> 00:31:16.220 well who is it 00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:16.899 that Christ saved? 00:31:18.439 --> 00:31:19.539 The Jews in that day 00:31:19.539 --> 00:31:20.139 they were hoping 00:31:20.139 --> 00:31:20.699 and praying 00:31:20.699 --> 00:31:21.319 that this Messiah 00:31:21.319 --> 00:31:21.740 would come 00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:23.259 thinking they alone 00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:23.960 God's people 00:31:23.960 --> 00:31:24.639 would be saved. 00:31:24.759 --> 00:31:26.079 Not the Gentiles 00:31:26.079 --> 00:31:26.839 not the Romans 00:31:26.839 --> 00:31:27.480 but them. 00:31:27.599 --> 00:31:28.460 But Jesus has a very 00:31:28.460 --> 00:31:29.599 different understanding 00:31:29.599 --> 00:31:30.639 which he says 00:31:30.639 --> 00:31:31.339 in verse 10. 00:31:31.339 --> 00:31:33.899 He says 00:31:33.899 --> 00:31:34.519 I say to you 00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:35.359 that many will come 00:31:35.359 --> 00:31:36.500 from east and west 00:31:36.500 --> 00:31:37.919 and will take their places 00:31:37.919 --> 00:31:38.579 at the feast 00:31:38.579 --> 00:31:39.579 of Abraham, Isaac 00:31:39.579 --> 00:31:40.059 and Jacob 00:31:40.059 --> 00:31:41.599 in the kingdom of heaven. 00:31:42.899 --> 00:31:43.799 But the subjects 00:31:43.799 --> 00:31:44.259 of the kingdom 00:31:44.259 --> 00:31:45.099 will be thrown out 00:31:45.099 --> 00:31:45.679 into darkness 00:31:45.679 --> 00:31:46.319 and there will be 00:31:46.319 --> 00:31:47.279 weeping and gnashing 00:31:47.279 --> 00:31:47.859 of teeth. 00:31:51.799 --> 00:31:52.699 Perhaps I wonder 00:31:52.699 --> 00:31:53.519 if Jesus was 00:31:53.519 --> 00:31:54.459 thinking about 00:31:54.459 --> 00:31:55.220 another prophecy 00:31:55.220 --> 00:31:56.000 from Isaiah 00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:57.199 as he said 00:31:57.199 --> 00:31:57.779 these things. 00:31:57.779 --> 00:31:58.759 Isaiah 25 00:31:58.759 --> 00:31:59.899 it speaks of 00:31:59.899 --> 00:32:00.579 this worldwide 00:32:00.579 --> 00:32:01.480 celebration 00:32:01.480 --> 00:32:02.220 that takes place 00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:03.420 on Mount Zion 00:32:03.420 --> 00:32:05.519 and it says there 00:32:05.519 --> 00:32:06.379 on this mountain 00:32:06.379 --> 00:32:07.899 the Lord of hosts 00:32:07.899 --> 00:32:08.819 will make all 00:32:08.819 --> 00:32:09.460 his people 00:32:09.460 --> 00:32:10.819 will make for 00:32:10.819 --> 00:32:11.599 all his people 00:32:11.599 --> 00:32:13.339 a feast of rich food 00:32:13.339 --> 00:32:14.759 a feast of well aged wine 00:32:14.759 --> 00:32:17.539 and he will swallow 00:32:17.539 --> 00:32:18.619 up on this mountain 00:32:18.619 --> 00:32:19.980 the covering 00:32:19.980 --> 00:32:20.879 that is cast 00:32:20.879 --> 00:32:22.500 over all peoples 00:32:22.500 --> 00:32:24.039 the veil 00:32:24.039 --> 00:32:24.799 that is spread 00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:26.059 over all nations 00:32:26.059 --> 00:32:28.079 and he will swallow 00:32:28.079 --> 00:32:29.000 up death forever 00:32:29.000 --> 00:32:31.259 and the Lord God 00:32:31.259 --> 00:32:31.879 will wipe away 00:32:31.879 --> 00:32:32.539 every tear 00:32:32.539 --> 00:32:33.539 from all faces 00:32:33.539 --> 00:32:34.359 and the reproach 00:32:34.359 --> 00:32:35.039 of his people 00:32:35.039 --> 00:32:36.299 he will take away 00:32:36.299 --> 00:32:36.879 from the earth. 00:32:38.579 --> 00:32:40.259 This offer of life 00:32:40.259 --> 00:32:41.460 that Jesus provides 00:32:41.460 --> 00:32:42.299 is not simply 00:32:42.299 --> 00:32:43.460 for the Jewish people 00:32:43.460 --> 00:32:44.720 it was God's plan 00:32:44.720 --> 00:32:45.319 from the beginning 00:32:45.319 --> 00:32:45.940 of time 00:32:45.940 --> 00:32:47.359 to save his elect 00:32:47.359 --> 00:32:48.379 from every people 00:32:48.379 --> 00:32:49.279 and every nation 00:32:49.279 --> 00:32:50.079 salvation 00:32:50.079 --> 00:32:51.039 is available 00:32:51.039 --> 00:32:51.839 to all 00:32:51.839 --> 00:32:52.599 who come 00:32:52.599 --> 00:32:53.480 to Christ 00:32:53.480 --> 00:32:54.220 in faith. 00:32:54.220 --> 00:32:56.400 but it says 00:32:56.400 --> 00:32:57.240 the wrath of God 00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:57.720 is reserved 00:32:57.720 --> 00:32:58.240 for those 00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:58.920 who reject him. 00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:01.519 And so we see 00:33:01.519 --> 00:33:02.220 in these miracles 00:33:02.220 --> 00:33:02.779 of Jesus 00:33:02.779 --> 00:33:05.600 these messianic deeds 00:33:05.600 --> 00:33:06.880 of salvation 00:33:06.880 --> 00:33:07.680 they point 00:33:07.680 --> 00:33:09.079 to this eternal reality 00:33:09.079 --> 00:33:10.559 that Satan's power 00:33:10.559 --> 00:33:11.259 has been broken 00:33:11.259 --> 00:33:11.980 that the kingdom 00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:12.700 of God 00:33:12.700 --> 00:33:13.640 has come 00:33:13.640 --> 00:33:14.519 to bring redemption 00:33:14.519 --> 00:33:16.200 from all evil 00:33:16.200 --> 00:33:17.100 restoration 00:33:17.100 --> 00:33:18.440 for the whole body. 00:33:20.579 --> 00:33:21.120 And so how do we 00:33:21.120 --> 00:33:22.039 respond to this truth? 00:33:22.039 --> 00:33:25.059 The Dutch theologian 00:33:25.059 --> 00:33:26.099 Hermann Ritterbach 00:33:26.099 --> 00:33:27.240 he puts it this way 00:33:27.240 --> 00:33:28.599 he says 00:33:28.599 --> 00:33:29.920 a miracle of Jesus 00:33:29.920 --> 00:33:32.500 as much as his preaching 00:33:32.500 --> 00:33:33.420 in its sense 00:33:33.420 --> 00:33:34.259 that it brings 00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:35.480 it shows us 00:33:35.480 --> 00:33:36.099 the revelation 00:33:36.099 --> 00:33:36.539 of God 00:33:36.539 --> 00:33:38.019 the kingdom of God 00:33:38.019 --> 00:33:39.720 is a confrontation 00:33:39.720 --> 00:33:41.779 which necessitates 00:33:41.779 --> 00:33:42.839 a decision. 00:33:44.220 --> 00:33:45.579 It's a confrontation 00:33:45.579 --> 00:33:46.920 which necessitates 00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:47.480 a decision 00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:48.920 for or against 00:33:48.920 --> 00:33:49.940 Jesus 00:33:49.940 --> 00:33:51.220 as the victor 00:33:51.220 --> 00:33:52.279 of the evil one 00:33:52.279 --> 00:33:53.940 and the bearer 00:33:53.940 --> 00:33:55.019 of the spirit of God. 00:33:57.200 --> 00:33:58.259 If you're here 00:33:58.259 --> 00:33:59.240 and you've never made 00:33:59.240 --> 00:33:59.940 that profession 00:33:59.940 --> 00:34:00.519 of faith 00:34:00.519 --> 00:34:02.980 to recognize Christ 00:34:02.980 --> 00:34:04.120 as the victor 00:34:04.120 --> 00:34:06.620 I invite you 00:34:06.620 --> 00:34:08.659 to receive 00:34:08.659 --> 00:34:09.599 this grace 00:34:09.599 --> 00:34:11.820 from a compassionate 00:34:11.820 --> 00:34:12.740 Messiah 00:34:12.740 --> 00:34:14.019 who has all 00:34:14.019 --> 00:34:14.579 authority 00:34:14.579 --> 00:34:15.460 to cleanse you 00:34:15.460 --> 00:34:16.099 of your sins 00:34:16.099 --> 00:34:16.960 and welcome you 00:34:16.960 --> 00:34:17.279 in 00:34:17.279 --> 00:34:18.339 as a citizen 00:34:18.339 --> 00:34:19.539 of his kingdom. 00:34:22.539 --> 00:34:23.440 If you're here 00:34:23.440 --> 00:34:24.000 and you've already 00:34:24.000 --> 00:34:25.039 experienced that cleansing 00:34:25.039 --> 00:34:27.259 may we long 00:34:27.259 --> 00:34:27.940 for the day 00:34:27.940 --> 00:34:29.159 when this mission 00:34:29.159 --> 00:34:29.860 is accomplished 00:34:29.860 --> 00:34:31.699 and when the kingdom 00:34:31.699 --> 00:34:32.159 of God 00:34:32.159 --> 00:34:33.179 is fully consummated. 00:34:33.179 --> 00:34:35.259 this is what's 00:34:35.259 --> 00:34:35.879 described in 00:34:35.879 --> 00:34:36.779 Revelation 21 00:34:36.779 --> 00:34:37.500 when God 00:34:37.500 --> 00:34:39.139 dwells with his people 00:34:39.139 --> 00:34:41.119 and God himself 00:34:41.119 --> 00:34:42.199 will be with them 00:34:42.199 --> 00:34:42.960 as their God 00:34:42.960 --> 00:34:43.899 and he will wipe away 00:34:43.899 --> 00:34:44.559 every tear 00:34:44.559 --> 00:34:45.279 from their eyes 00:34:45.279 --> 00:34:46.319 and death 00:34:46.319 --> 00:34:47.179 shall be no more 00:34:47.179 --> 00:34:48.879 neither shall there 00:34:48.879 --> 00:34:49.379 be mourning 00:34:49.379 --> 00:34:50.399 nor crying 00:34:50.399 --> 00:34:51.099 nor pain 00:34:51.099 --> 00:34:51.559 anymore 00:34:51.559 --> 00:34:53.619 for the former 00:34:53.619 --> 00:34:54.739 things have passed away 00:34:54.739 --> 00:34:57.199 and he 00:34:57.199 --> 00:34:58.719 Jesus himself 00:34:58.719 --> 00:35:00.039 he who is seated 00:35:00.039 --> 00:35:00.759 on the throne 00:35:00.759 --> 00:35:01.519 says behold 00:35:01.519 --> 00:35:02.980 I am making all 00:35:02.980 --> 00:35:04.019 things new. 00:35:05.639 --> 00:35:07.079 This is the mission 00:35:07.079 --> 00:35:08.480 of our Messiah 00:35:08.480 --> 00:35:10.679 to bring about 00:35:10.679 --> 00:35:11.679 complete healing 00:35:11.679 --> 00:35:13.320 to all of creation. 00:35:14.420 --> 00:35:15.440 May it be so. 00:35:15.880 --> 00:35:16.360 Let's pray.