Slow Motion Instant Replay

Matthew 8:3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”

There are some moments in sports that the slow motion instant replay is so fun to watch. It might be the amazing touchdown pass flying through the air catch with the tips of his fingers before being smashed by the defense and manages to retain possession of the ball moment. Or the impossible fly through the air floor exercise of an Olympic gymnast. Or the crash at Daytona beech with cars flying through the air and everyone survives moment.

But I don’t think those moments are anything to be compared to the moments that we missed because there was not high speed camera present focused at the center of the action. Watching Michael Angelo work on the Sistine Chapel ceiling when he finishes the two fingers reaching toward each other. Or the artisans who make the Terracotta Army in China.

But nothing in my mind would compare to moments like our text. Jesus has just finished his famous Sermon on the Mount and is walking along the road. A man who has been separated from the rest of humanity because of his illness dares to approach Jesus. He might have just heard Jesus speak, but at a distant. But he has heard enough to believe in him.

He approaches and kneels before Jesus, a posture of humility. “If you are willing,” he says, “you can make me clean.” What a powerful expression of faith. He knows Jesus has the authority to do what he requests, it is just a matter of whether Jesus cares to do it for him. He has, after all, been an outcast both religiously and socially.

And for Jesus, this is an easy matter. (Roll cameras.) Jesus simply reaches out his hand and touches him. He speaks simple words, and the disease is cleared up! (Keep the tapes rolling.) And the man man reacts. He knows and everyone can see that his skin disease is gone. (Pan to the crowd.)

Later in this chapter Matthew writes these words. “This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.'” Matthew is quoting from Isaiah 53:4. This famous chapter speaks in detail about Jesus’ life and death hundreds of years before he was born.

I had always associated this verse from Isaiah in connection to Jesus’ death. He bore our sins in his body on the cross. But here the author applies this verse of prophecy to Jesus’ healing ministry. He heals leprosy, paralysis, fever, demon possession and all kinds of sickness.

This is Jesus bearing our infirmities and diseases. He did it live on camera. People could see the action of healing and testify about it.

Now go back and look at the tape. The moment of healing as the skin heals itself and the disfiguring effects of the disease melt away. Rewind and watch it again. It is almost impossible to take your eyes off the action, as the human body is put into action by the power of the Holy Spirit at the command of Jesus.

And Jesus’ isn’t done working today. But we must be watching and focused on where his hand is reaching and touching. Do you have your camera rolling? Are you watching. Are you believing?