Hello Advent Family,

 

Matthew 8 is filled with many stories of Jesus healing others. From a Leper to Peter’s mother in law to demon possessed men. One story that I have always appreciated is the healing of the Centurion’s servant. There are several things from the story that stand out to me. Let’s look at it together today.

 

When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” 7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.

 

The faith of the Centurion is something that impresses Jesus. I have also always been impressed that He came himself to see about his servant getting healed. That is not a normal thing for a man with his authority to have done during this period of time. He could have sent another servant or a soldier under his command. Yet, he goes himself perhaps because he wants to see and meet Jesus but certainly it demonstrates care for his servant. Most servants were treated more like property especially by those in power but the Centurion goes out of his way to try and get healing and relief for him. He then demonstrates that incredible faith believing that Jesus can heal with a simple word. We can learn both from the Centurion’s care and his faith. May we be a people who demonstrate love to all we come in contact with and may we also be a people who have the faith that can move mountains.

 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave