SESSION 2 VICTORIOUS HOPE The Point When we come to Jesus in faith, we find hope. The Passage Matthew 8:5-13 The Bible Meets Life We fix things that are broken, and when life breaks down we try to fix it. Our culture offers more than enough fixes pharmaceutical remedies, religious practices, and changes in lifestyle. At best, we might mask the problem, but we can t remove it. The Bible points us to the only way we can experience victory over life s burdens: Jesus meets us at our point of need and offers us what no one or nothing else can. The Setting Following his account of Jesus teaching in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 7), Matthew recorded a series of miracle stories. The first concerned the healing of a leper with a touch (8:1 4). In 8:14 15, Matthew recorded the story of Jesus healing Peter s mother-in-law with a touch. Between these healings Matthew sandwiched in the story of Jesus healing of a servant from a distance with just a word because of the faith of a Gentile centurion (vv. 5-13). BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 29
What does the Bible say? Matthew 8:5-13 (CSB) Centurion (v. 5) A centurion was an officer in the Roman army in command of about 80 100 soldiers, likely equal to a captain in today s army. Outer darkness (v. 12) This phrase refers to the darkness into which the ungodly or morally corrupt are confined. It is a place of misery completely removed from the light of God and His eternal kingdom. 5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, pleading with him, 6 Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible agony. 7 He said to him, Am I to come and heal him? 8 Lord, the centurion replied, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, having soldiers under my command. I say to this one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this! and he does it. 10 Hearing this, Jesus was amazed and said to those following him, Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with so great a faith. 11 I tell you that many will come from east and west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13 Then Jesus told the centurion, Go. As you have believed, let it be done for you. And his servant was healed that very moment. 30 Session 2
THE POINT When we come to Jesus in faith, we find hope. GET INTO THE STUDY 10 minutes DISCUSS: Invite your group members to discuss Question #1 on page 21 of the PSG (Personal Study Guide): What parental sayings or clichés did you hear the most growing up? Allow time for each person to respond. SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGE 22): When we re children, we make a list of things we ll never do when we get big. For most of us, that list includes this: When I m a parent, I ll never tell my kids, Because I said so. Then we grow up and have kids. And somewhere along the way, we say to them, Because I said so! TIP: Additional teaching ideas for each session in this quarter are available at BibleStudies ForLife.com. Click on the Leader Extras tab. Notes While we may have broken a promise we made to ourselves as children, we have stumbled upon a foundational truth of life: some people have the authority to make things happen just by saying so. SAY: In Matthew 8, Jesus spoke and a man was healed without Jesus even being present with him. This story focuses on the faith of a centurion, a man who believed a sick servant would be healed simply because Jesus said so. True faith recognizes Jesus can do what He says He can do. And that gives us great hope. GUIDE: Call attention to The Point on page 22 of the PSG: When we come to Jesus in faith, we find hope. PRAY: Transition into the discussion with prayer. Pray for group members facing a seemingly hopeless situation. Pray for their faith to be strengthened as you study today s passage. Display Pack Item #2 to use with your discussion of Matthew 8:5-7 on page 32. PLAYLIST PICK: God with Us By Jesus Culture BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 31
10 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes Matthew 8:5-7 (CSB) 5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, pleading with him, 6 Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible agony. 7 He said to him, Am I to come and heal him? READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Matthew 8:5-7. ALTERNATE QUESTION: The centurion approached Jesus directly with his plea. Why do we often come to Jesus as a last resort? DISCUSS: Question #2 on page 23 of the PSG: What emotions do you typically experience when you have to ask for help? SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGE 23): From our perspective, we may wonder who wouldn t go to Jesus for help? So it seems to make perfect sense that this man came to Jesus on behalf of his servant. But based on who he was, the fact that he came to Jesus at all is very surprising. The man wasn t Jewish. He was a Roman centurion, responsible for 80-100 soldiers in an army occupying a conquered territory. Most of the time, Jews and Roman soldiers avoided contact with each other. Even if they weren t openly hostile, they certainly didn t ask each other for help. The Roman centurion not only asked a Jew for help, he asked a Jewish rabbi. A leader in the conquering army asked a leader among the conquered people for help! He was willing to do anything to find a way to save his servant; he would even ask Jesus. LEADER PACK: Bring your group s attention to Pack Item #2, Centurion poster, to give background information on centurions like the one in this passage. SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGE 23): After the centurion asked for help, Jesus agreed to go and heal the servant. Jesus had no problem crossing ethnic or national lines if it meant helping someone. He had come to save the whole world. While the gospel came first to the Jews, Jesus was insistent the gospel wouldn t be limited to one people or one nation. The good news was for everyone. TRANSITION: The centurion s request of Jesus was a bold one. In the next verses, we learn why the centurion could make such a petition. 32 Session 2
THE POINT When we come to Jesus in faith, we find hope. Matthew 8:5-7 Commentary Jesus desires to heal us. Verses 5-6: Capernaum was located on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee and was situated along a major trade route. It was the city Jesus had made His home and the center of His ministry (Matthew 4:12 17; 9:1; Mark 2:1). Capernaum was important enough to be the location of a military installation, over which a centurion had command. A centurion originally was so named because he commanded 100 soldiers (called a century ), but by the first century A.D. each centurion commanded about 80 soldiers. According to Luke, this particular centurion had a good relationship with the local Jewish community and was highly thought of by them. He loved the nation of Israel and had helped the Jews of Capernaum build a synagogue (Luke 7:1 10, esp. vv. 4 5). The dire nature of the centurion s situation is indicated by the fact that when he approached Jesus he was pleading with him. The centurion also addressed Jesus as Lord. The Greek word for Lord, kurios, was used as a respectful form of address, much like our word sir. However, the centurion had heard what Jesus had done for others (Luke 7:3). Therefore, it seems clear that Matthew intended his readers to also associate the centurion s address of Jesus with the stronger meaning of Lord, pointing to Jesus deity. The Greek word pais, translated my servant, was a word used of a young boy, a child, a favorite servant, and even a son. The servant may have been the centurion s personal aide. Furthermore, this servant may have been the only member of the centurion s household; for, according to historians, a Roman soldier was not allowed to have a family with him during his 20-year enlistment. Verse 7: To understand Jesus response Am I to come and heal him? the reader must realize that Jews did not enter the homes of Gentiles or associate with them as that would have defiled the Jews and made them unclean (John 18:28; Acts 10:28). In light of this fact, the centurion s request was very bold. Also, in the Greek the I in Jesus response is emphatic, drawing attention to the highly irregular suggestion that he, a good Jew, should visit a Gentile house. 1 [Note: It s important to remember that when Jesus heals, He doesn t do it in the same way with everyone. He sometimes works miraculously, and He often works through doctors and the medicine He created. He sometimes heals quickly, and sometimes He does so over time. He offers the greatest healing, which is through salvation by putting one s faith in Him. This leads to spiritual and physical wholeness in heaven with Him.] 1. R. T. France, The Gospel of Matthew (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007), 313. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 33
10 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes Matthew 8:8-9 (CSB) 8 Lord, the centurion replied, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, having soldiers under my command. I say to this one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this! and he does it. ALTERNATE QUESTION: What connection did the centurion make between authority and faith? READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Matthew 8:8-9. DISCUSS: Question #3 on page 24 of the PSG: How would you paraphrase the centurion s statements in these verses? SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGE 24): You d think the centurion would be excited for Jesus to come to his home and heal the servant. What was the problem? This man knew who and what he was. I am not worthy to have you come under my roof (v. 8). He was surely aware of the impropriety of a Jewish man and a rabbi no less coming into the unclean home of a Gentile. Perhaps he even sensed his own sinfulness in coming before such a righteous person as Jesus. The centurion had authority, but only what had been conveyed to him. Jesus was different; He had real authority. While the centurion likely had seen authority displayed on the battlefield, he knew Jesus authority went beyond that. He felt unworthy to have Him in his house. DO: Instruct group members to complete the activity on page 25 on their own. If time allows, invite volunteers to share their responses aloud. FAITH > DOUBT: On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being Disagree and 5 being Agree, evaluate yourself using the following statements. (Note: The PSG has a scale for each of the three statements.) When I need help, I turn to Jesus first to meet my needs. My life reflects my submission to Jesus authority. Sometimes, I catch myself hoping in something other than Christ. One thing I can do to recognize Jesus authority is: 34 Session 2
THE POINT When we come to Jesus in faith, we find hope. Matthew 8:8-9 Commentary Faith in Jesus authority is necessary for us to have hope. Verse 8: For the second time, the centurion addressed Jesus as Lord (vv. 6,8), thereby acknowledging his inferior status to that of Jesus. The centurion s response in verses 8 9 teaches us three important truths. 2 First, the centurion knew he was not worthy to have [Jesus] come under [his] roof. The centurion s admission of his unworthiness shows his humility. He did not deserve to have Jesus do this for him and neither could he presume upon Jesus for His help. But coming after Jesus words in verse 7, the centurion s statement also acknowledged the racial issue (Jew-Gentile). Second, the centurion s words but just say the word, and my servant will be healed demonstrate he was convinced that Jesus had the power to heal without having to be physically present with his servant. The Jews of Jesus day considered healing from a distance not only rare but extremely difficult something only the most powerful holy men could do. But this centurion considered distance a small matter for Jesus power. Up to this point in Matthew s Gospel, Jesus had not healed anyone from a distance. The centurion s words were a clear recognition of Jesus miraculous power! Verse 9: Third, the centurion s words about authority and issuing commands show he had an understanding of Jesus authority to heal with just a word (8:8) and not in the usual way of being physically present. The centurion s words I too am a man under authority communicated both that the centurion was under his superiors authority and that the centurion had authority over those under his command. And, the centurion s commands were not perceived as being given by his own authority; they were understood to be issued with the authority of the Roman emperor himself. In this sense, then, the centurion s words I too am a man under authority may be understood as an argument from the lesser to the greater. If he was able to have his will carried out by speaking a mere word (Roman soldiers in general had a great amount of authority over the populace, see Matthew 5:41; 27:32), how much more would that be the case for Jesus! But we should be careful at this point. The centurion s words should not be understood as a double illustration. The centurion s words I too should not be interpreted to indicate the centurion understood that Jesus too was a man under authority as the centurion was (although there is a sense in which Jesus was acting by the authority of God the Father, but that is not the focus in this passage). The primary emphasis is on authority itself, in this case on Jesus absolute authority. 2. The three truths and the content in the next three paragraphs are drawn from Craig S. Keener, A Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999), 266-68. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 35
10 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes Matthew 8:10-13 (CSB) 10 Hearing this, Jesus was amazed and said to those following him, Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with so great a faith. 11 I tell you that many will come from east and west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13 Then Jesus told the centurion, Go. As you have believed, let it be done for you. And his servant was healed that very moment. READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Matthew 8:10-13. SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGE 26): A Gentile centurion, not the Jewish religious leaders, recognized the authority of Jesus. A non-believer a person outside the faith and beliefs of the Jews actually believed more than those on the inside. Matthew noted that Jesus was amazed by this Gentile s faith. ALTERNATE QUESTION: What is the relationship between faith and hope? DISCUSS: Question #4 on page 26 of the PSG: When has your faith in Christ helped you to find hope? SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGE 27): In affirming the centurion s faith, Jesus presented a magnificent picture of the all-embracing nature of faith and grace. Christ-followers will come from every race, ethnicity, language, and nation to join in the feast celebrating the saving grace of Jesus the Messiah. The sons of the kingdom refers to those Jews who expected to be included in God s kingdom based merely on their ancestry (Matthew 3:9). With no faith, they have no place at the table. DISCUSS: Question #5 on page 27 of the PSG: What steps can we take to deepen our faith as followers of Jesus? ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): One way to grow in our faith is by daily reading God s Word. Encourage your group members to check out the devotional apps SheReadsTruth or HeReadsTruth accessible via their smartphone or tablet. Or, go to DevoHub.com to find out how your church can provide your group members with daily devotionals accessed via the DevoHub app. 36 Session 2
THE POINT When we come to Jesus in faith, we find hope. Matthew 8:10-13 Commentary Jesus gives us hope when we believe and trust in Him. Verse 10: Up to this point in Jesus ministry, none of Jesus healings had been done in the way the centurion asked (see Matthew 15:21 28). No wonder Jesus was amazed and stated, Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with so great a faith. Jesus expected to find faith in Israel. They were the people of the covenant. It was to the people of Israel that Jesus came, but sadly, He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him (John 1:11). Verses 11-12: The centurion s great faith provided the occasion for Jesus to contrast the future Gentile in-gathering into the kingdom of God with the rejection of the Jews from the kingdom. The many refers to the Gentiles. East and west indicates from all over the earth (Psalm 107:3). Sitting at the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all three patriarchs is imagery of the messianic banquet, the experience of blessedness in God s presence that every good Jew assumed he would be part of. The sons of the kingdom refers to those Jews who expected to be included in God s kingdom based merely on their ancestry (Matthew 3:9). Sons (huioi) implies legal standing, or presumed legal standing. Here the Jews discovered that even though they believed they should be included in God s kingdom, they found themselves confined to the place meant for the ungodly. In fact, Jesus here used terms in relation to the sons of the kingdom that normally were reserved for the expected, ultimate future of the Gentiles: thrown into the outer darkness and weeping and gnashing of teeth. Outer darkness signifies eternal separation from God. Weeping refers to mourning over one s separation from God and exclusion from His kingdom. Gnashing of teeth reflects great anguish. Verse 13: Jesus then turned His attention back to the centurion, telling him to go home. Again, Jesus linked the servant s healing with the centurion s faith ( as you have believed ). That is, the centurion s faith was not the cause of the miracle; rather, this means just as he believed Jesus could do. Jesus words need to be understood in light of verse 8. Matthew added the time reference for the cure, that very moment ( the instant, immediately ), as a final emphasis on Jesus supernatural authority. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 37
5 minutes LIVE IT OUT Notes SAY: How can you express your faith in Christ this week? GUIDE: Lead group members to consider the responses to the Bible study listed on page 28 of the PSG. Evaluate your own level of faith. What kinds of things hold you back from fully trusting Christ for a need you have? Write them down. Go to God daily with this list and ask Him to remove these barriers to a deeper faith. Get a broader understanding. Read the Book of Matthew over the next few weeks. Pay special attention to Jesus interactions with people who approached Him with requests. Share what you know. A key way to see God s power and ability to work on your behalf is to see how He has worked in the past. When you encounter someone this week who is in need of hope, be ready to tell them how God has worked in your life in the past. This doesn t have to be lengthy, just genuine. Wrap It Up SAY: Faith is more than wishful thinking. It s the firm conviction that Jesus is who He says He is and He can do what He says He can do. When we know this truth, it changes the way we live. We live in joyful hope. Additional ideas for your group are available at BibleStudiesforLife.com/AdultExtra 38 Session 2