Matthew 8 v23-27 - Nigel Beynon 3/4

Matthew 8 v23-27 (3/4 of a series)

Nigel Beynon

Matthew 8v23-27

SBD 23rd June 2019

A few years ago I read an article in the Guardian with the title: “Are we having more natural disasters?”

It went on to talk about hurricanes, floods, earthquakes – we might think of Hurricane Florence in the US last year – the wildfires in Greece last summer – or the tsunami in Indonesia.

The article said in one year there were 128 major floods, 121 hurricanes and 42 earthquakes and tsunamis. If you add avalanches, forest fires and locust plagues then there were 360 official natural disasters that year.

The article comments – “Watch television a lot, and you would think that the world is lurching from one disaster to another.”

Now in this country natural disasters are thankfully rare. And so they can feel rather distant and removed from us.

But it can happen - the falling tree, black ice on the road, fire at home.

I remember reading about Abbie Livingstone – who died when she was 3 years old – digging a hole on a beach with her brother - when a hole collapsed and they couldn’t get her out. Strangely - I read about that when I was on a beach and Jacob was a toddler – and it immediately look up – where is he? Is he safe?

It’s rare but this is our world – and it could be us who are hit by disaster.

So tonight we are going to look at Jesus and see what he has to say about disasters.

The storm

V23-24 READ.

This is like a scene from “The Perfect Storm” – have you seen that film? George Clooney as a fisherman – goes fishing – they hit a storm. It’s pretty simple plot line. But it’s got terrifying scenes of the power of the sea - waves swamping the boat. That’s the sort of thing we’ve talking about here – look at v25 READ.

I remember being taken sailing years ago – the wind blew, the boat started to lean really far over – so I leant over the side - trying to balance the boat – getting really worried - meanwhile the others were just chatting – relaxed – seemingly unaware that I was saving us all from drowning.

My point is I’d never been sailing before – I scared very easily. But some of these guys were professional fisherman – their experienced opinion was – the boat was going down and they were going to die. So we’ve got a serious storm here.

Now I want to pause for a moment and do something a bit different – and reflect on how we talk about and understand our world and disasters like this?

Jo and I have just been to the Wye valley for a night. Beautiful area. As we walked I was thinking about this sermon – and made me think – why is I’m enjoying this view – the hill, the sunlight, the trees? How is it I find a flower beautiful. Or water and reflections, and wood and forests and all that.

Similarly – why is it we call this storm a disaster? What story of the world have we got which explains why we find some things a delight, or some things a disaster?

I was talking to a friend of mine a while ago – he’s an atheist – believes in evolution, science, but there’s no bigger story of the world than that. I asked – I’ve forgotten exactly what it was but it was something like – why do we find someone attractive – or why do we enjoy the Wye valley?

He said – I suppose it must give us evolutionary advantage.

I thought – wow – your story of the world can only give a sort of functional – utilitarian - explanation of things. Aside from whether there is any evidence for that evolutionary explanation – I was struck by that was the only terms he had on offer.

For him life is an accident. Time passes, science does its thing and some adapt and survive. That’s the story.

So when it comes to a disaster – or a delight – you can’t really use those terms – or not with any deep meaning – because what really matters is the affect on evolution.

I find the Christian story much more compelling. We don’t have time to get into this very much – but a creator who makes us – via evolution – but he creates us like him – so we have his values, appreciate his creation, we are creative ourselves. That explains why we enjoyed the Wye valley. It’s not just a functional advantage – the way we’re made means we love the world and how it reflects something of our creator.

And then in the Bible’s story we get rebellion against God – so that the world is thrown out of synch – and you get storms – disasters. Which we can then describe as disastrous – not how things were meant to be.

Now – that also raises big questions – why does God allow these disasters – which we certainly don’t have time for tonight. My point is – the Christian story much more compelling in how it enables us to talk about the world – and talk about things being a delight or a disaster.

Now was a pause. Back to the story – we left it when a huge wave was about to hit the boat and the disciples think they are going to die – v25-26 READ.

2) Evidence of the king of the world

Jesus speaks to the wind and waves like he’s telling off a child. Only when we say ‘stop it’ to a child doesn’t always do much - but here Jesus says ‘stop it’ – and the wind and waves stop.

Imagine what it must have been like for the disciples. One moment they are terrified as a huge wave charges towards them – then a voice speaks – and the wave goes flat and the sun comes out.

And so they turn from the wave – ex-wave – and look at the person next to them and say – v27.

And if you know the Bible the answer is clear. Psalm 89 says “O Lord God Almighty, who is like you? You rule over the surging sea, when its waves mount up, you still them”

The only one who can control creation – is the one who made it. Only God can do this.

Some people are cynical about Jesus’ miracles – they talk about David Blaine or Dynamo doing some tricks and Jesus’ miracles being a bit like that. Well with respect to those magicians – they didn’t turn up in Florida and stop hurricane Florence. I don’t blame him for that.

My point being - this is of a different order. This is no clever trick. This is authority over creation itself – this is giving the elements orders – and very simply it is evidence this man Jesus is God himself.

If you’re not sure about Jesus – what to make of him – I’d start here. Here’s a man acting like God – showing us he’s God. I know we probably want to ask how can trust this account and that sort of thing – and there’s lots to say about that. But I hope you can see there’s no one like Jesus – acting like God – giving us evidence he is the creator – your creator. And so I’d urge you to look into him more – do ask me if you want some more on that.

However, Jesus isn’t just showing us he’s the king of the world – he is also giving us,

3) A picture of a world put right

The disciples are about to die – Jesus speaks – the sea goes flat, wind stops. Jesus rescues them from disaster – rescues them from this gone wrong world – and for a brief moment they enjoy the world as it was meant to be.

After this the storms carry on – but for a moment we get a picture of a world put right.

We’ve said over the last two weeks God has promised a perfect new world – remember the party from Isaiah – where everything is put right. A perfect world with no death.

Here Jesus is giving us a picture of that future - a glimpse, a proof – he can make that happen.

For a while I lived down in Borough and there was a huge amount of flats being built. They always follow the same pattern. The building site starts – it’s a mess – cranes, and mud everywhere. And then while it’s still chaos – a sign appears – show home open. And you can walk through the scaffolding, and the mess, and there is a flat – finished. And it looks fabulous – and you really like it – mainly because they’ve filled with stuff you could never afford.

The point is - you can see what the whole place is going to be like - from the show-home. It’s chaos at the moment but here in the middle is an example of how what it will be.

Well Jesus has promised he will put this world right – it will be wonderful.

But he doesn’t just promise – he then gives us a picture.

We’ve seen that picture in the healings as Jesus defeats disease and death. Now he does the same with a disaster - as he calms the storm - it’s like a show-world. The rest of the world is messy and chaotic, but here in the middle we get a taste of the future. A picture of what Jesus will do when he puts this world right.

I was thinking about disaster movies this week – and rescue scenes. I don’t know if you’ve seen Volcano – if you haven’t I wouldn’t bother. It stars Tommy Lee Jones, and a volcano just outside LA. At the end of the film the volcano has erupted and Tommy Lee Jones is trapped with the lava flowing towards him – in a matter of moments he will die. But they lower a ladder from a fire truck – and he is hoisted to safety just in time – as the lava flows on.

That is typical of rescue films isn’t it – someone pulled to safety just in time.

It made me think how different Jesus’ rescue is. So often rescues are about escaping disaster. Getting out of the way of disaster. But Jesus doesn’t air-lift the disciples out of the storm. He doesn’t ride ahead of the storm to safety.

No - he stands up and tells the storm to stop. So he doesn’t just escape from disaster – he overcomes disaster. He reverses disaster. He speaks and changes this world – and makes it what it was meant to be.

And that is what he will do one day - he will speak and storms never take lives. He will speak and there will be no earthquakes or hurricanes. There’ll be no need for disaster appeals, of food parcels. The phone will never ring in the middle of the night and you find out your loved one isn’t coming home. His rescue is complete – he will create a world where the accident, the disaster – never happens.

It’s a lot to believe isn’t it? But here is the evidence – here is the show-world. “Stop it” and “it was completely calm.”

Let’s finish by thinking how we should respond to this?

4) Is there evidence we trust the king?

V26 READ

Here are the two possibilities for the disciples – fear or faith. And they flow from whatever is more real to them – the threat of nature – disaster. Or Jesus – the king – who will bring a perfect new world.

Now the disciples do have some faith - they do go to Jesus for help. But their faith is little – they are afraid of disaster. The storm is more real than Jesus.

Jesus calms the storm, shows them he’s the king – he’s in charge. Shows them what he’s going to do – gives them a tour of the show-world.

And so - v27 READ. They are amazed at him – Jesus gets bigger in their minds – he’s bigger than the storm - Jesus as king gets more real to them. As he gets bigger their fears get smaller.

So what do we see in us – faith in Jesus or fear of this world?

As we ask that we have to be clear what we’re trusting Jesus to do for us. Because this isn’t promising that Jesus will save us from all natural disasters today. I imagine there were Christians killed in the hurricane Florence or in fires in Greece. Jesus doesn’t promise to rescue us from all disaster today.

As we’ve said this shows us Jesus is king of this world – in charge. And it shows us Jesus will one day put this world right.

So do we trust as that – the king now – who will put things right.

Say we read about natural disasters around the world do we just feel depressed at the relentless horror of this world? Or do we think – this is terrible but I know Jesus is bigger – and one day he will speak and it will all end.

If our friend, loved one, is late coming home one night and we wonder what has happened to them – as we feel the fear of that – can we say - I know someone who is bigger than this – I know someone who is king – and I know a new world is coming.

If the phone rings in the middle of the night do you feel nothing but terror – or do you think whatever this is – I know Jesus is king now – and will one day overcome it.

In other words which is more real to us – this world’s disasters? Or Jesus – and his future perfect world?

If you’re anything like me it’s often this world – we have little faith.

So let’s look at Jesus tonight with the disciples and marvel at him. Let’s dwell on him so that Jesus being king isn’t an abstract idea, or concept, but we feel he really is the king of this world – bigger than all we can see.

And so we know that one day he will speak and every storm will stop and this world will be right.

Let’s not be afraid, let’s have faith.

Matthew 8 v14-22 - Nigel Beynon 2/4

Matthew 8v14-22

SBD June 2019

I read an article this week that said extreme poverty in the world could be ended with £175 billion dollars. Other experts challenge that figure and it certainly got complicated – how you defined extreme poverty – what level of income would end it – how many people were in that situation etc.

But with that much money you could do something about changing poverty – changing the world.

When you think about it, a lot of people, spend their time changing things in the world: medics, social workers, politicians, charities, NGO’s, law enforcers, counselors, educationalists, lawyers. All dealing with problems in the world – and solving them make this world a better place.

I say that because we’re going to look at Jesus making the world a better place.

And in particular – I want us to think about - what does it take to make the world better in radical and foundational way – what do we need to truly change how things are?

So let’s look at our passage and first of all we get a picture of a truly changed world. A world put right.

1) God’s king – who will put this world right, 8v15-16

We read in v14 READ. Fever in her day almost certainly meant death.

But v15 READ.

There’s no convalescence - she immediately gets up and starts cooking dinner.

And then we read v16 READ.

It’s not surprising is it? Once you hear what Jesus is doing – if you know someone who is ill - you get them to Jesus. And he healed all them.

So for a moment in Capernaum – the GP surgery was closed. The hospital was empty. The crematorium was silent. For a moment it really was a changed world – a radically different world.

We said last week this is a demonstration. It demonstrates Jesus is the king - the one in control of this world. And it demonstrates – one day Jesus will put this world right.

We saw that in Isaiah God has promised a perfect world – a party – where death is swallowed up. Here Jesus gives us a picture of that – it’s a like trailer for it – showing us he can change this world and put everything right.

Now I said last week I’d say something about Jesus healing today. But as I prepared something on that I was aware it’s a big topic and a sensitive one – it really deserves a whole sermon. And I decided my comments were too brief to be very helpful. So I’m going to leave that for another day – feel free to ask me about it if you like.

The big point here is – here is the king who will put the world right. Jesus is demonstrating he’s the one in charge and that one day he really will change the world – and put it right.

The question is – what will that take? How can you change the world like that?

2) The king puts this world right by taking our wrong

Well - having said v16 – Jesus healed everyone – Matthew says – v17 READ - that is a verse from Isaiah 53.

So I’d like us to turn there if you don’t mind - and see what is happening in Isaiah 53.

• God’s suffering servant, Isaiah 53

Just to put this into context, Isaiah talks about two characters. He talks a lot about God’s king or ruler – the one that will rescue God’s people and put this world right – it’s the promise of Isaiah 25 of the party where death is swallowed up.

But then Isaiah starts talking about God’s servant – and he is a rather different character. V2 READ – he’s unimpressive.

V3 READ - he is someone who suffers so terribly – people can’t watch.

But the heart of this is – why he suffers. V4-6 READ.

Transgressions, iniquities – that is how we have rejected God, and lived our own way. And so we are in trouble with God – we face his judgement.

But I hope you picked up – this servant has taken our trouble for us. V4 – he took our infirmities. V5 he was pierced for our transgressions. V6 the Lord has laid on him our iniquity.

The suffering servant – takes our wrong – v5 says he takes our punishment and so brings us peace.

Let me try and illustrate this. I remember sitting with my brother watching a Cowboy and Indian film once – and half way through it he decided he wanted to join in. He was on the side of the cowboy’s of course – this was well before the days of political correctness – so the cowboys were the goodies, and the Indians were baddies. And so to join in – he got out his marbles – and every time an Indian appeared – he threw the marble at him – and tried to hit him. It was great. Pelting the TV – got another Indian.

Wasn’t so good for the TV. Small craters in the screen. Became rather like the surface of the moon….

Imagine my parents hear the noise – coming into the room – seeing the cratered screen – marbles – and they are rightly furious.

Then I say, ‘It was me – I did it.’

So my parent’s anger then falls on me. Go to your room, no pocket money for a month, no TV for a year.

Actually, I didn’t say that. I’m not that nice. In fact, what actually happened was – I was throwing marbles too.

But if I had been, innocent and very loving – I could have taken by brother’s place. I could have put things right for him – by – taking his wrong for him.

Well, that is what Jesus has done. He is innocent and very loving – and so he comes to earth as one of us and says to God, about all we’ve done wrong – it was me, or rather, let it be me. He takes our place – takes our wrong.

Upon him was the punishment that brought us peace – he’s the suffering servant – fulfilling Isaiah 53.

And what I really want us to get is – that is what will bring about a perfect world.

We see that in Isaiah actually – do you know what comes after Isaiah 53? Well unsurprisingly it’s Isaiah 54 – but Isaiah 54 is another description of that perfect world. Another description of God’s party – the world put right.

And it’s happened because of Isaiah 53 - the suffering servant taking our place. That leads to this perfect world.

We’ve said - Jesus is the king who will put this world right.

But Jesus is the servant – who puts this world right – by taking our wrong.

Let’s pause for a moment and ask – why is this? Why is it Jesus’ death – that brings God’s perfect world?

We said last week the ultimate cause of what is wrong in our world is our rejection of God. That’s not the immediate cause – we don’t get ill or things go wrong for us - because of a specific wrong we did. But in general terms the brokenness of the world flows from humankind rejecting God.

So to put the world right – you’ve got to deal with us and God. You’ve got to deal with our wrong before God. That’s the heart of it issue.

If you like – to really deal with the effects of sin – you’ve got to deal with sin itself.

That’s why saying it will take £175 billion to end poverty is only a start. To actually end poverty as well as the money we need to overcome selfishness and greed.

Or to change the world - we not only need better laws – we need to change people’s hearts so they don’t steal. We not only need better education so we know what’s right – we need to be changed so we want what is right. We not only need to make people better but for illness and disease to end.

Now we’re right to work at these things – better laws, education, medicine – they are good things. We should work at them and encourage them and celebrate the change they bring.

But we could say – they are only dealing with the symptoms. If you want to really change the world in a fundamental way – you have to deal with the cause – the heart of the problem - sin and rebellion against God.

And to do that you need someone to take our place. Someone to take our sin and all that that deserves.

That is what Jesus does - ‘It was me, I did it’. ‘He was pierced for our transgressions, the punishment that brought us peace was upon him.’

That is how he brings about God’s new world. He puts this world right by taking our wrong.

3) Following God’s servant king

We’re going to finish by looking at two people who want to follow Jesus. And so show us what following him is like - and I want us to see that what following him is like – flows from who he is – that he is a king but he is also a servant.

Let’s start with second bloke here – where we see that following Jesus means putting him first.

• Putting Jesus first, 8v21-22

V21 READ.

Now it’s probably not that his father has died and is waiting for burial. He’s probably saying – I want to follow you Jesus - but let me wait until my father dies – so I can fulfil my responsibilities to him.

Jesus says – v22 READ.

Which is pretty strong isn’t it.

Jesus isn’t saying we shouldn’t ever go to funerals. Rather it’s an overstated contrast.

It’s like when he says – you can’t follow me unless you hate your father and mother. But elsewhere he says love your parents. So when he says you must hate them – he’s saying – in an over the top way - I come first.

And it’s the same here – you want to follow me but your father comes first. No – I’ve got to come first.

And that’s because of who he is – he’s the king – in charge – absolute control and authority - so he comes before anything and anyone.

But following Jesus means putting yourself out to serve others.

• Putting yourself out to serve others, v18-20

V18-19 READ.

Maybe this guy has been watching the healings – impressed by Jesus power – and he wants in – I’ll follow you.

But Jesus says v20 READ.

You want to follow me. Do you know what that means – because I don’t have anywhere to sleep tonight. Even animals have homes. But I’ve given up my rights. Because I’ve come to serve – to suffer - to die.

So following me – well I’m the suffering servant – and so following me means the same for you – it means copying that - putting yourself out – giving up your rights – to serve others.

Jesus says the same to us today if we want to follow him. I’m the king – so it means putting me first. And I’m the suffering servant – so it means serving others.

So if we believe in this Jesus – if we follow him - the question for us – the challenge – is how are we doing on putting him first and putting ourselves out serving others?

I want to say what that looks like in practice – rather than just a general statement like put him first – I want to talk about our time and energy and values and money and hobbies – because this affects everything. But if I start to say this means doing this with your time – come to church every week or whatever - or doing that with your money – it’s starts to sound like rules. And it’s not rules. It’s about a relationship with Jesus.

But it’s a relationship that effects us – it’s a relationship with a king – who has served us. And that shapes us. So let me put it like this.

Imagine someone examined your life - looked at your diary - looked at your bank statement. How you spent your time and energy. Listened to your conversations and read your messages. What would they think?

Would they say – I’ve got a weird one here. I’m mean, it’s normal enough life – they go to work see friends and all that – but it’s like someone else in their life. I look at other people’s lives and they are all about their relationship, or they are after popularity, or driven by career, or looking good, or being comfortable. Those things control them. But this one – last week they gave some money to a missionary – then they told the truth even though it didn’t go well for them – why do that – it’s like they are living for something else – someone else. Someone else is in control.

And sometimes they say no to things which would be really nice for them – last week they didn’t stay in with Netflix but travelled across town to see a friend who was down – and was no fun at all. They keep putting themselves out – for other people. There is a servant thing about them.

Now nothing wrong with Netflix sometimes. Or having fun. And the truth is our lives will be very mixed at best.

But my point is - would they see something of the shape of Jesus. See the shape of a king who is in charge. See the shape of a servant – where you put yourself out for others?

Years ago I worked with a guy who was football mad. Gary. He loved football – Fulham was his team – there every week. Just to give you an idea - once I said – I remember Southampton winning FA cup and seeing the parade. He said – 1976 – Southampton vs. Manchester United – 1-0 – goal scored by Bobby Stokes. He loved football.

One world cup - he went to every England game in their group. And that got you the right to a ticket to the final. And it was 1966. Which if you don’t know – was when England won the world cup.

But he didn’t go – because he went on a children’s summer camp, to tell kids about Jesus.

I love that. Don’t get me wrong – he could have gone to the game – no rules. Good to enjoy football. But for him, in that situation, it was him putting Jesus first. And he put himself out to serve those kids. That’s a Jesus shaped life – there’s someone who knows a king, and a king who choose to serve him.

Jesus is the king who will make the world right one day. Jesus is the servant king – who dies – takes our wrong to make the world right.

Following him means your life has got a king in it, and it’s got a servant in it.

Matthew 8 v1-13 - Nigel Beynon 1/4

Matthew 8:1-13

Over next few weeks we’re going to be looking at different problems in our world – and Jesus’ answer to them. Today – we have a leper whose body is decomposing. And a servant paralyzed suffering terribly. Death won’t be far away for them. So today is the problem of disease and death. In future weeks we have natural disasters and the problem of evil. 

I realise that doesn’t sound a very cheery series. So let me say – we are looking at answers Jesus gives. And we need answers – because while not cheery, these problems are real. 

Many of us here will be well aware of that. We’ve experienced first hand, or second hand – the awful reality of disease and dearth. Or we’re facing it now in some way. 

I want to start by asking how we react to this reality of illness and death? What emotions does it bring?

There’s obviously a spread. At one end there can be a sort of acceptance. I get a chest infection – it’s annoying but it’s just how things are. You hear on the news about an incident where people died – but it feels far away and you hear so many stories like that. Someone old dies – and get phrases like – they had a good inning. It’s a sort of acceptance – this is the way things are in this world.

It’s very different though when it’s not a small illness nor a distant reality. When it’s close and personal - serious illness – someone we love - someone who dies young. 

Do you know that poem by WH Auden: 

“Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum. Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

He was my North, my South, my East and West, My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song; I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one; Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood. For nothing now can ever come to any good.”

Death can bring that sense nothing can come to any good. It’s absolute despair. 

Acceptance – despair. We could add anger and hurt – and questions of why and why me and why now. As we said it’s a huge and awful reality in our world.

So let’s turn to the Bible and see what difference Jesus might make to all of that. 

First of all I want us to step back from our passage and see how the Bible views disease and death. Then we can see what’s going on here more clearly. 

1) We live in a not right world – because the world isn’t right with God.

For instance take this leper. 

God said to his people in the OT, live in relationship with me and enjoy my blessing, but if you turn against me – it’s like I’ll turn against you and your enemies will defeat you, crops won’t grow – and leprosy. 

So at this time - one of God’s people suffering leprosy isn’t just a physical condition - his body isn’t well. It actually points to a spiritual condition of things not being well with God.  

Actually if we stand further back in the Bible’s story – we find in a general sense - that is true of all sickness and death. 

Back in Genesis God made this world perfect. But then Adam and Eve say to God, I want to be in charge - run my life, my world, my way. 

And that rebellion – brings disaster into our world.

Imagine a goldfish in its bowl on top of the TV. It’s bored. Checked out most corners of this bowl – Thinks - I want to get out more – I want to live out there in lounge, and watch the TV for once.  

So it takes a running jump – or waggle – and up – on to the lounge carpet. Where it discovers it’s not going to live at all.

Its natural environment was water – that is foundational to its existence. Change that and it’s a disaster. 

Well our natural environment is living under God’s loving rule. That is foundational to our existence – and as it’s rejected – its disaster - every part of life is affected and spoilt. Relationships, marriage, work – and our health – sickness and death.  

We could sum it by saying – we live in a world that isn’t right – because the world isn’t right with God. 

You may have experienced someone dying – and feeling – it shouldn’t be like this. This is so wrong. 

The Bible agrees – God didn’t make us for this. We live in a not right world. The Bible calls it a fallen world, a cursed world. A gone wrong world. And it’s all because humanity as a whole – rejected God. 

Now let me be clear. I’m not saying that if particular person falls ill – that’s because they’ve done some specific thing wrong against God. It’s not directly causal like that. Rather sickness and death are the result of sin in general, not my personal sin in particular.  

And that is part of the difficulty of it all – we don’t know why this person, why this illness. It’s because we’re caught up in this not right world. 

And if we’re Christians, while we’re forgiven and right with God through Jesus – we’re still live in this not right world. And suffer the falleness of it. 

We live in a not right world – because the world isn’t right with God. 

I said at the start in certain circumstances we can be accepting of disease and death - that’s the way things are. And in one sense that is right – that is the world we live in. But we should never forget – this isn’t how things were meant to be. 

So if I get a chest infection, while I’m feeling terrible and drinking lemsip - I should be reminded – this shows the world that isn’t right. This week we drive past a hospital – a GP surgery – we see an ambulance on the street – it should remind us – this is all because the world isn’t right with God. It’s a sign – evidence – of this dislocation with God. 

Now at this point you might be thinking – looks like despair is the only reaction to death.  But then we read - v3 READ. Or v13 READ.  

When it comes to disease and death clearly Jesus has answers. 

But it also raises more questions – does this mean Jesus will always heal illness? Should we expect him to heal like this today?

I want to come to that question – Jesus healing now - next week. For now I want to give a big picture answer as to what is going on here. It’s a big picture of this whole chapter actually so hope it will help us to see it. 

To see that big picture – we’ve got to get one more thing clear - and that is -

2) God has promised a perfect world – where everything is right

• A perfect world, Isaiah 25v6-9

When Jesus talks to the centurion here he talks about a future day – 8v11 READ.

When Jesus talks about a meal in the kingdom of heaven – he’s referring back to promises in the OT – of a perfect world.

Let’s me read one from Isaiah 25 

On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples,

A banquet of aged wine – the best of meats and the finest of wines. 

In other words God is going to throw a party – and it’s going to be fantastic.

Years ago I went to the wedding of an old university friend. Since university he had made lots of money in the city – and this wedding was extraordinary.  

When we went into the hall to eat – people were gasping at the forest of flowers. During the 5 course meal – my neighbour took pictures of the food – because it was so beautiful. Fantastic wine for each course.

We didn’t have time for the petit four and coffee – because we had to go to our boat that was taking us dancing down the Thames – he’d got in Carol Decker from Tai Pau – China in your hands, and Howard Jones – what is love - anyway. Which if you were a teenager in the eighties was a treat. If you weren’t you thought who’s this!

On top of all that – it was lovely to see friends, talk and laugh and celebrate together. 

But I did think – half way through – God is going to throw a much better party. This is just a taste – a glimpse of the heavenly party.

Food – wine – enjoying each another, celebration. 

And the best thing – Isaiah goes on:

On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations, he will swallow up death forever. 

My friend’s wedding was a lovely celebration of a marriage. But one day sickness and death will come. 

But in God’s party that is swallowed up. So nothing will spoil it, there will be no tears. It will be perfect.  

It’s a promise of what Jesus calls the kingdom of heaven – or what I’ve called God’s perfect world.

It’s an amazing promise isn’t it? Unbelievable. 

In fact that is just problem – the idea that one day we’ll rise with new perfect bodies that will never die and enjoy God and his people in an eternal party – frankly is a lot to believe. 

Most people would laugh at that. If we are Christians we may believe it to some degree - but it’s easily not that real to us. It can be a rather vague dream – a distant hope. 

Only then we read v3 READ. And v13 READ. 

A man claiming to be God’s king – is healing in the most amazing way. There is no examination, no prescriptions, no surgery, no drugs, no physio, no out patients visits.  

With just a touch or a word – it’s like the sickness is banished. Swallowed up.   

It’s like a little taste of that perfect world. 

3) A picture of that perfect world

In fact – that’s just the point. In this healing Jesus is giving us a picture – a foretaste – a trailer - of that perfect future from Isaiah. That’s the big point here – this is a picture of that perfect world. 

The other day I came across a promo video from a holiday company. The blurb went like this:

“A paradise of tropical sea, the fragrance of pine trees. Undefiled paths surrounded by a thousand flowers. Colourful countryside, an unreachable dream. Magical and beguiling, that’s IBIZA.”

Well – I didn’t know – but if you don’t believe it – you can watch the promo video. The strapline was: 

“See where you are going before you arrive.”

That is the sense of what Jesus is doing here. He comes into our world as God’s king - the one who will bring God’s perfect kingdom. And so he gives us a picture of it.  

As he touches the leper and the sickness is banished. As he speaks the word – and the servant is healed – it’s a glimpse of the future. It’s a moment of heaven now. It’s proof to us that one day Jesus will speak – and will bring about Isaiah 25 – and the dream will be reality. 

In the face of death despair can feel like the only option – as the poem says “nothing now can ever come to any good.” Feeling like that isn’t wrong – that’s what it can feel like in the middle of grief.

But there is an ultimate answer to sickness and death – there is a king – who will bring about God’s perfect kingdom. And here is a picture – here is proof. See where you’re going before you arrive.

Let’s finish by thinking about how we should react. 

• Entry & exclusion to God’s perfect world, 8v8-11

V10 READ. 

When Jesus says many will come from east and west he’s saying many people will be at God’s party who you wouldn’t expect – like this centurion.  While – those who would expect to be there – the subjects of the kingdom – are thrown outside. 

So this sounds serious – there is entry to the party and there is exclusion from the party. 

And the difference – the reason you get in - in a word is – faith. V10 READ. 

This centurion shows us the heart of faith is trusting Jesus above what you can see – which in his case is disease and death. 

V8b-9 READ. 

In the Roman army they had a system of delegated authority. Emperor at the top with supreme authority – then his authority is delegated down various layers - down to the centurion. That meant when the centurion spoke – he spoke with the authority of the emperor. 

He sees that Jesus is like that. He realises Jesus is from God – he’s God’s king - so he speaks with God’s authority. 

So while he can see his servant is desperately ill, there’s no hope - he can say to Jesus ‘only say the word and my servant will be healed.’ He trusts in Jesus as God’s king – in his power – in the face of disease and death. 

Same goes for us. Will we trust Jesus – beyond what we can see. 

It’s like we’ve got two things to weigh up. On one hand we’ve got the reality of disease and death. So often an overwhelming reality. Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood. For nothing now can ever come to any good.”

On the other side we’ve got God’s promise of a world made right. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, he will swallow up death forever. 

Which of those is bigger to us – which is more real? So often it’s disease and death isn’t it – that’s what we see and experience. 

But in the middle there is Jesus. God’s king – God’s authority – the one who will put this world right. It’s as though he’s saying to us tonight, you’re struggling to believe that amazing future. Death feels too big and real. Let me help you. Be clean – go it will done.

Look at me. See what I can do. See where you’re going before you arrive. Have faith.