In this passage, I’d like to focus on two things. The first one is verse 4.

And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them. (v.4)

Many interpret this as Christ’s obedience to the Law. While Christ was on the earth, He obeyed all the Father’s commands because He is righteous as the second head of the Triune God and also as the sinless man with the Holy Spirit. I believe our righteousness comes from God, and we are clothed with God’s righteousness through Christ and the Holy Spirit. But it is never that Christ had to keep the Law to be righteous or to gain righteousness by works to impute it to saints. The important point in this verse is in the last part – “as a testimony to them”. While the Pharisees (and likewise people) accused Christ of breaking the Law and their traditions, Christ kept the Law perfectly in heart and in deeds from the Father’s point of view. While the Pharisees believed their righteousness depended on works, they did not keep any of God’s commandments. Christ, as the Lord of the Sabbath, came and heal those who are considered unclean by the Jews. The Pharisees did not accept God’s testimony shown through Christ.

If we receive the testimony of people, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son. (1 John 5:9)

The Pharisees accepted that Christ did good works but did not accept Him as the Son of God who became a man to save His People.

The Jews answered Him, “We are not stoning You for a good work, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.” (John 10:33)

Many people focus on the miracles that Christ performed on the earth. There are many churches emphasizing that they can heal people’s diseases and the healing power is the sign that God is with them. We must always look beyond works. Healing of a leprous man is a testimony to the Pharisees. The focus is not about the miracle that Christ performed. It is about who did it and what He teaches. The Pharisees failed and also refused to see the meaning of the Sabbath. They did not accept the Lord of the Sabbath. Therefore, their sin is not a sin of ignorance but of rebellion. At the end God judges everyone according to their deeds (Romans 2:6). We often interpret the deeds from a moral point of view. All good works come from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives faith to saints. And the work of God is believing in the one whom He has sent. All other morally good deeds come as the result of the Spirit’s work in us.

Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent. (John 6:29)

At the end, faith divides the elect people and the reprobate because having faith means receiving the Holy Spirit. God knows to whom He has given His Spirit.

I am the good shepherd, and I know My own, and My own know Me, (John 10:14)

Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His;” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to keep away from wickedness.” (2 Timothy 2:19)

In this passage, faith of the centurion is distinguished because he recognized where the power was coming from. Indeed, Christ did not need to put His hands on every sick people to heal them. Miracles were done so that they would see the authority of Christ. As Christ performed miracles, He preached. The focus is the words of God. The Father manifested Himself through His only begotten Son. The Son manifested the Father through the words of truth.

Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. (John 6:68)

Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father and then we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time, and you do not know Me yet, Philip, nor recognize clearly who I am? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ (John 14:8-9)

The second one is verse 17.

This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases. (v.17)

Christ came to fulfill all the Law and the Prophet as the righteous Son of God. And the verse shows that God gave the Law and the Prophets as a shadow of Christ. Therefore, the conditional covenants were NOT given to see if people (including Adam and Eve) could keep God’s commands. They were given so that we fail and put all our hope in Christ, the mediator of the new covenant. Illnesses and diseases are the result of the original sin. And all sins of His elect people are removed by Christ’s death. And by Christ’s resurrection, His elect people were born from heaven as adopted sons of God. Christ showed His sacrificing love (agape) on the cross. Therefore, Christ is the fulfillment of all the Law and the prophecies.

For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes. (Rom 10:4)