Homes Jesus Visited

Lesson 6

A HOME JESUS WOULD HAVE VISITED

Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10

1. This man stands in contrast to the attitudes Jesus encountered because he went to Matthew’s house, and he is an example of the fulfillment of the purposes the Lord stated there.

2. Here are some of the details we will need in order to appreciate what happens.

a. He was a foreigner (Matt. 8:10).

b. He was a commander of one hundred men (Matt. 8:5).

c. He showed genuine concern for a servant (Lk. 7:2).

d. He was admired and respected by the Jewish community (Lk. 7:3-5a).

e. He had provided funds for the building of the synagogue (Lk. 7:5b).

3. The circumstance is that the servant who was dear to the centurion was “lying paralyzed at home” and the centurion believed Jesus was able to heal him. What was awkward about the situation?

4. Consider some of the things from which we may learn:

a. The centurion __________________ to Jesus, whether he came himself or spoke only through the elders whom he sent (Matt. 8:5; Lk. 7:3,7).

b. The ________________ and ______________________ with which the centurion laid his need before the Lord is a model of the politeness and humility with which an appeal is made (Matt. 8:6, 8a).

c. The ____________________ and ________________ of the Lord to respond to that need reminds us of both his kindness and his ability to keep his promises (Matt. 8:7; Lk. 7:6).

d. The nature of the authority of the Lord’s _____________ is crucial to us (Matt. 8:8b,9; Lk. 7:7,8), for we must have the conviction “that Christ’s word, without his actual presence, will be sufficient” (Trench).

e. We get a valuable glimpse here of what Jesus regarded as genuine, living, ______________ (Matt. 8:10; Lk. 7:9).

f. The Lord’s ___________ of blessing people is demonstrated in this event (Matt. 8:13). He told the centurion to do something, said the needed blessing would be provided, and gave it while the man was proceeding on the faith he had confessed.