Passage to Ponder: Matthew 8:5-13
“Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.” ...When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!” -Matthew 8:8, 10 (NLT)
The plea on the behalf of a young paralyzed servant came from the lips of a Roman Centurion, an officer who led over 100 men in the Roman army. It seems this officer had never met Jesus before. Yet, he knew the stories of the miraculous healings that had happened at the hand of Jesus. We are not given a biography or even a little back story on this man of great faith. He simply appears in Matthew’s Gospel and the exits the scene just as quickly. I have a few questions for him when we meet up in heaven one day. How did he first learn of Jesus? What caused him to reach the conclusion that Jesus is the Messiah…the one who could save mankind? How hard was it to come so publicly to Jesus knowing the eyes of his superior officers would probably take notice?
The act of stepping out in faith for the Centurion was an uphill climb. You couldn’t find two men who were more different. He was a man of war; Jesus was a Man of peace. He was a Gentile; Jesus was a Jew. I believe that even with these differences, the Centurion understood what it meant to wield authority. He gave the reason why he was not worthy of Jesus entering his house in verse 9: “I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”
As an officer, when he gave a command, those under him had no choice in following that order. It was not optional. With that background, the Centurion understood who was the Ultimate Authority. This Jewish Messiah held the power over all things, including the emperor of Rome. There is nothing not under the command of Jesus. (Excuse the double negative!) The Roman officer knew that all Jesus had to do was speak the command and the servant would be healed. “Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.” The paralysis didn’t have a choice once the Supreme Commander gave the order. It had to leave immediately. The command of the Lord must be obeyed.
Earlier in the ministry of Jesus, He and the apostles were in a boat crossing the Sea of Galilee during the night hours. A storm overtook them, and the apostles struggled to keep the boat afloat while Jesus slept peacefully in the back on a cushion. In panic and the fear of going under the boys awakened Jesus and said, “Master, don’t you care that we are all about to drown?!” Jesus opened His eyes and asked them, “Where is your faith?” Jesus stood and commanded the storm to stop. And it instantly obeyed the command. The apostles marveled and asked each other, “Who is this Master of ours that even the winds and the waves obey Him?”
“Who is this Master?” He is the Ultimate Authority! You can take steps of faith and come to Jesus trusting He will be able to command any sickness, storm, or situation to be stilled. Will you follow the example of going in faith and asking the Commander of heaven and earth to give the order?
Love,
Pastor Larry
Pastor Larry
(This is from a series of devotionals written during our time of restricted meetings and activities due to
the coronavirus.)
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