I Am Willing

Matthew 8:1-17
Key verse 8:3

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.

1. Read verses 1-2. What do you think life was like for the man with leprosy? Why do you think he asked Jesus for healing in this way: "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean"? 

2. Read verses 3-4. Why did Jesus reach out his hand and touch the man with leprosy? What does Jesus' answer, "I am willing. Be clean," show us about him? How long did it take for the man to be healed? Why might Jesus have issued the instructions found in verse 4?

3. Compare and contrast the centurion (verses 5-7) and the man with leprosy (verses 1-4).  What does Jesus' answer show about him?

4. Read verses 8-9. Why didn't the centurion want Jesus to come to his house to heal his servant? How did the centurion see Jesus? What can we learn from the centurion about faith in Jesus?

5. Read verses 10-13. Why was Jesus "astonished"? According to Jesus, how does this centurion's faith foreshadow the future? What do you think this passage teaches us about faith?

6. Read verses 14-17. How did Jesus further exercise his authority to heal? What does Jesus' healing ministry reveal about him?