“But only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” When Jesus speaks, healing happens immediately. Storms and raging oceans silence. Demons flee. Water is turned to wine. Five loaves of bread and two fish feed thousands, with plenty left over to spare.
The Roman centurion in today's passage had faith in the power of His word, and Jesus marveled at his faith. Jesus spoke, and the centurion's servant was healed at that very moment. One of the most dangerous things we can do in efforts to understand the power of God is to compartmentalize Him. We must rage against the thought that we can understand His ways, and strive to have faith like this centurion; that at the word and will of King Jesus, that which is being asked for is done. Praise King Jesus.
Matthew 8:5-13
5 When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?
+ What is a centurion and what was their responsibility? [v5]
+ Why is it remarkable about the centurion addressing Jesus as “Lord”?
+ Continually, why is it significant that the centurion says “I am not worthy to have you come under my roof”?
+ After the centurion says “but only say the word, and my servant will be healed”, Jesus marvelsI. Think back to Matthew 1:1 and the overall theme of Matthew, what does this Gentile centurion understand that “no one Israel” has found?
+ What do we learn of Jesus in this passage, and what can we take away from verse 13 specifically?
[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?
+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ How are you living in the Way of Jesus?
+ In what ways are you compartmentalizing your faith in Jesus?
+ What are some practical steps you can take to pray more boldly this week?
[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?
+ What is my next step?