The Authority of Christ - Matthew 8:17

"When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him" (Matthew 8:1)  Jesus was on the mountain, probably a high hill on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, teaching The Sermon on the Mount, the way of life for true children of the kingdom. It was instruction for those who had responded to Jesus' invitation to repent.

In Matthew 8:1-17, you will see, Jesus has authority over all things, including sickness, spiritual things, and nature, and your Faith is KEY to receiving his power and compassion. 

In the first account of the leper being healed, he showed his faith to Jesus by saying, "Lord, if you are willing.." exhibiting his genuine faith, showing that it does not necessarily mean that if one simply believes, God will do something, but that he can do it. (see Daniel 3:17-18) Normally, touching a leper would result in ceremonial defilement (see Lev. 14:45,46;Num 5:2,3;Deut 24:8) In this case, Jesus said, "I am willing; be cleansed." (Matt. 8:3) and he touched the leper and he became clean. 

As Jesus continued on to Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him to heal his servant. (Matt. 8:5) Centurions are officers in charge of one hundred soldiers, and are often looked upon in a favorable light. When Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him." The centurion's response to Jesus indicated his clear understanding of authority. (Matt. 8:5-9) Jesus marveled. Only one other time does scripture say Jesus marveled: when His own townspeople rejected Him (see Mark 6:6) "Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way; as you have believed, so let it be done for you." And his servant was healed that same hour. (Matt 8:13)

Jesus goes on to heal Peter's mother-in-law of a fever by touching her hand, and many are healed in the evening by Jesus, "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

"He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses" (Matt. 8:17) Jesus healed because He had compassion on the people (see 9:36; 14:14; 20:34; Mark 1:41; 5:19; Luke 7:13) Our physical infirmities are ultimately the result of the Fall with it's impact on our lives through that. 

Jesus took our sicknesses by suffering and dying for our sins on the Cross. Thank you Jesus.