The Touch of Jesus

Gospel Light Church

Matthew series #17

July 17th, 2026

The Touch of Jesus

Matthew 8:1–17 (NKJV)

Matthew 5–7 records the greatest sermon ever preached—the Sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 8 begins with the greatest demonstration of that sermon.

Jesus has just taught with authority (Matthew 7:29). Now He acts with authority.

His miracles authenticate His message.

Notice how Matthew intentionally records three miracles in succession:

• A Jewish leper
• A Gentile centurion’s servant
• Peter’s Jewish mother-in-law

Jesus’ kingdom reaches every race, class, and condition.

“The miracles are visible parables of the kingdom.” – John Stott

They show us what Jesus came to do spiritually as well as physically.

(Parallel between Jesus going to a mountain to bring the Sermon on the Mount, and Moses going to the mount to get the law from God. Jesus coming down from the mount and doing ten miracles, and Moses bringing down the ten commandments.)

I. Jesus Touches the Untouchable (8:1–4)

“When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him.” – vs.1

• The crowds are amazed.

But instead of beginning with another sermon… Jesus encounters the most rejected person imaginable.

1. The Condition of the Leper

Leprosy in Scripture was terrifying.

According to Leviticus 13:

• isolated from family
• excluded from worship
• forced to cry “Unclean!”
• physically deteriorating
• considered ceremonially defiled

Many rabbis would not even come within six feet of a leper.

Some reportedly threw stones to keep them away.

The leper doesn’t merely have a disease. He has lost:

• relationships
• dignity
• community
• hope

1. The Leper’s Faith

Notice what he says.

“Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

He never questions Jesus’ ability. Only His willingness.

Many people today have the same struggle.

• They believe God can…but wonder if He cares.
•  Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” – Mark 9:24

1. Jesus’ Response

“Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him…” vs. 3

• This is astonishing.
• Jesus could have spoken.

Instead…

• He touched him.

The touch came before the healing.

The man had probably not been touched by another human being for years.

• Before Jesus changed his skin…He restored his dignity.

“Jesus didn’t have to touch the leper to heal him, but He did have to touch him to show compassion and restore the man’s sense of worth.” – David Guzik

Then Jesus says:

“I am willing; be cleansed.” vs. 3

Immediately… the leprosy disappeared.

What does this mean for us?……

• Sin resembles leprosy.
• It isolates.
• Corrupts.
• Spreads.
• Leaves us spiritually unclean.

Yet Jesus still reaches toward sinners. Jesus wants to touch our lives!

“Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.” – C. S Lewis

• Jesus does not recoil from broken people, He moves toward them.

II. Jesus Amazes the Faithful (8:5–13)

The next miracle shifts dramatically.

Now we meet someone new…..

• not a Jew
• not a religious leader

………but a Roman centurion.

• To Jewish ears…this was the enemy.

1. Who Was the Centurion?

He commanded approximately 100 soldiers.

A hardened military officer.

Yet remarkably…he demonstrates humility.

He says: “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” vs.6

Notice……He cares deeply about his servant.

1. His Humility

“I will come and heal him.” vs.7

The centurion answers:

“Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof.” vs.8

!!Amazing!!

• A powerful man recognizes his spiritual poverty.

1. His Understanding of Authority

He explains: “I also am a man under authority…” vs.9

• He understands command.

If Jesus possesses divine authority…distance means nothing.

One word is enough.

1. Jesus Marvels

• Only twice in Scripture does Jesus marvel.

One time: because of unbelief (Mark 6).

Here: because of faith.

“I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” vs.10

Faith isn’t measured by emotion. Faith trusts Christ’s authority.

David Guzik notes:

“The centurion understood that Jesus’ authority was so great that sickness itself obeyed Him.” -David Guzik

1. Warning and Promise

Jesus then gives a prophetic warning.

• Many Gentiles will sit with Abraham.
• Many Jews who reject Him will be excluded.
• Religious heritage cannot save.
• Personal faith does.

So what?????

• We often limit Jesus by our circumstances.

The centurion teaches us: Jesus doesn’t need proximity.

He only requires trust.

“Faith is the gaze of a soul upon a saving God.” – A.W Tozer

III. Jesus Lifts the Weary (8:14–15)

Now Jesus enters Peter’s house.

Peter’s mother-in-law is sick with a fever.

Notice again…Jesus touches.

“So He touched her hand, and the fever left her.” vs.15

Then something beautiful happens.

“She arose and served them.” vs. 15

Healing produces service.

• She doesn’t merely recover.
• She responds.

Real encounters with Jesus always lead to ministry.

Saved people become serving people.

IV. Jesus Bears Our Burdens (8:16–17)

Evening arrives. Crowds gather. The sick come. The demon-possessed come.

“He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick.” vs.16

Then Matthew connects everything to Isaiah.

“He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.” – Isaiah 53

Jesus’ miracles are signs pointing to the Cross.

• Ultimately…He bears far more than disease. He bears sin.

Our deepest problem has never been physical. It has always been spiritual.

The Cross is where Jesus carries our greatest sickness.

“Jesus’ healing ministry demonstrated the compassionate heart that would ultimately bear sin on the cross.” – David Guzik

The Four Portraits of Jesus

In this passage we see Jesus revealed as:

1. The Compassionate Savior

He touches the untouchable.

2. The Sovereign King

His authority reaches beyond distance.

3. The Personal Shepherd

He enters ordinary homes.

He ministers to ordinary people.

4. The Suffering Servant

He fulfills Isaiah by bearing humanity’s burdens

Matthew intentionally begins Jesus’ miracle ministry with three very different people.

• An outcast.
• An outsider.
• An ordinary woman.

The message is unmistakable.

• No one is too dirty.
• No one is too far away.
• No one is too insignificant.

Jesus is Lord over disease. Lord over distance. Lord over demons. Lord over death itself.