← All outlines

Outline 013 of 100 · Matthew

'I Will; Be Thou Clean'

Matthew 8:1-13 — Christ's willingness and authority to cleanse and to heal by a word

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

A leper, an untouchable outcast by the law, dares to approach Jesus with a statement of faith mixed with uncertainty: 'Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.' Jesus' response is immediate and startling — He touches the man, something no one dared do to a leper, and declares, 'I will; be thou clean.' The willingness of Christ is as significant as His power; the leper's real question was never about ability but about whether Jesus cared enough to act, and Jesus answers with both a word and a touch. Immediately after, a Roman centurion approaches with a different kind of faith, recognizing that Jesus need not even be physically present since His authority operates by word alone: 'speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.' Jesus marvels at this Gentile's faith, declaring He had not found such faith even in Israel, and uses the moment to foretell that many will come from east and west to sit in the kingdom while some children of the kingdom are cast out. Together these stories reveal that Christ is both willing to touch the untouchable and powerful enough to heal at a distance, responding to whatever measure of faith reaches out to Him.

  1. I. The leper's uncertain but reaching faith

    • "If thou wilt, thou canst"
    • An outcast approaching the untouchable Healer
    • Jesus touches him — willing contact with the unclean

  2. II. Christ's declared willingness

    • "I will; be thou clean"
    • Willingness answers the deeper question behind the request
    • Immediate cleansing follows the word

  3. III. The centurion's confident faith

    • "Speak the word only"
    • Recognizing Christ's authority operates without physical presence
    • A Gentile's faith surpassing Israel's

  4. IV. The reach of the kingdom foretold

    • Many shall come from east and west
    • Sitting down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
    • A warning about presumed but empty privilege
The appeal

Whatever uncertainty you carry about whether Christ is willing to help you, know that His answer is 'I will.' Will you reach out in whatever faith you have, whether trembling like the leper or confident like the centurion, and let Him respond?

Key points

  • Christ is not only able but genuinely willing to cleanse and heal those who come to Him.
  • Faith comes in different measures and expressions, and Christ honors all sincere faith.
  • Christ's authority operates by His word alone, requiring no physical proximity or ritual.

Key passages

  • Matthew 8:2-3
  • Matthew 8:8
  • Matthew 8:10-11
  • Mark 1:41