Faith Moves More than Mountains

FAITH MOVES MORE THAN MOUNTAINS                    Matthew 8: 1-4

Intro. Jesus wraps up his lengthy sermon on the mount and immediately begins to encounter people in real need of things religion can’t produce.   

Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. ² A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

³ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. ⁴ Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone.  But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” NIV

• This man’s life must have been miserable, if the disease was not hard enough to deal with, he was forced into a life of lonely isolation.  No fellowship, no gatherings with God’s people, just a man all alone.

Leviticus 14 The Law on Cleansing a Leper

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ² “This shall be the law of the leprous person for the day of his cleansing. He shall be brought to the priest, ³ and the priest shall go out of the camp, and the priest shall look. Then, if the case of leprous disease is healed in the leprous person, ⁴ the priest shall command them to take for him who is to be cleansed two live clean birds and *cedarwood and scarlet yarn and *hyssop. ⁵ And the priest shall command them to kill one of the birds in an earthenware vessel over fresh water. ⁶ He shall take the live bird with the cedarwood and the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, and dip them and the live bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water. ⁷ And he shall sprinkle it seven times on him who is to be cleansed of the leprous disease. Then he shall pronounce him clean and shall let the living bird go into the open field. ⁸ And he who is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes and shave off all his hair and bathe himself in water, and he shall be clean. And after that he may come into the camp, but live outside his tent seven days. ⁹ And on the seventh day he shall shave off all his hair from his head, his beard, and his eyebrows. He shall shave off all his hair, and then he shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and he shall be clean. (Lev. 14:4-8)

*Cedarwood and Hyssop were believed to contain medicinal properties to help with skin aliments. 

• On the Eight day the process was repeated except two lambs are added to the ceremony. 14:10-32

In our remaining time together I want to share three things we can take away from the miracle of cleansing a Leper.

1. MOVES EVERY TIME SOMEONE FAITH IN HIM.

This leper did not ask Jesus if he was willing as a question, but as a sincere statement of faith. “If you are willing I know you are able.”

Faith in Christ moves Him to move mountains.

God so loved the world that whosoever believes in me (Has faith in me) will never perish but be gifted with eternal life. John 3:16

2.  THE WAS A MERE OF WHAT CAME TO ACCOMPLISH.

The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. Hebrews 10:1

Types:

• The Priest                                                                                Jesus is our High Priest
• The blood of the dead bird/ lambs                                  The Blood of Christ
• The Oil and Water                                                                 The Holy Spirit
• Leprosy                                                                                    Sin Nature

“The effects of sin, as leprosy, progresses slowly. They are undetectable at first but deeply rooted, leading to spiritual dismemberment, a diseased mind and death. The only possible redemption from leprosy and sin, and their consequences, is through Jesus Christ. The Eternal -Who-Heals. He cleanses us through the washing of water by the word (Eph.5:26), since he paid the prince for our healing. We cannot heal ourselves, nor change our nature without intervention.” (Forerunner Commentary)

Types and Shadows continued

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,  by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God,  let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:19-22

• The elements used in the ceremony of cleansing represent a sin offering, a guilt offering, and a fellowship offering, all of which symbolize the atonement: Forgiveness and Restoration.

• Recognizing the Superiority of Christ. (The New Covenant in His Blood) should free us up to live out our faith without becoming legalistic

Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.  These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.  Colossians 2:16-17

• Moses was sent by God with the Law (Exodus 3:10) but Jesus was sent by the Father as the Final Word on the matter of salvation and sanctification.  For the Law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.  The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Heb 1:1-3

 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.  The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean.  How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! Hebrews 9:12-14

3. JESUS STILLAND PEOPLE FROM THE OF SIN AND DEATH.

Leprosy was a horrible disease but there is one more powerful and devasting, it is called sin and sin is crippling in the end and leads to death and judgment. 

If anyone confesses their sins, He is faithful and just to forgive your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.    1 John 1:9

• The Bird that was released to fly away is symbolic of a life that has been released from the power of the law of sin and death! 

You can be free!