Matthew 8:8

New International Version (NIV)

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.

For Meditation

He came for one thing – healing for his servant. The centurion was driven by his love for his servant to seek help from Jesus. He appreciated the desire of the centurion because Jesus too was on a love mission; He came to save the world. He is also the embodiment of love itself. So He understood the centurion very well, and that may have been one of the things that impressed Jesus about this Roman officer. One other thing Jesus would have noticed about the centurion was the humility he portrayed by his request.  It was unusual for an officer of the ruling Roman government to go begging a native for favors; they will just order a local to do their wish.  But that’s what love can do. It has the power to humble a person for the benefit of another, just as Jesus humbled himself to save mankind. Again, the centurion came with a personal knowledge of Jesus that many around Jesus didn’t have. He perceived somehow that Jesus had authority over everything, and that He could send His word to heal his servant. The centurion understood authority and how it is exercised. Therefore, he did not expect Jesus to come to his house, but to just speak the word and his servant would be healed (8-9). Whether he knew what Jesus’ authority revealed about His deity is not clear. His knowledge, however, fueled his extraordinary faith; and it astonished Jesus (Matt. 8:10). He said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would” (13). What a story to help us in our struggle to believe that Jesus can do the impossible in our lives.

1. Are you driven by love to engage Jesus in intercessory prayer?
2. Do you go to Jesus in prayer, humble like the centurion?
3. Do you have a very good knowledge of Jesus to bolster your faith in Him?
4. Can you trust His authority over your situation?
5. Why don’t you go to Him with full assurance of His grace to help you in your time of need?

I pray that you will have full confidence and assurance in Jesus’ authority over every situation you present to Him. He is able and willing to meet you at your point of need at any time; if only you will believe.

So: Don’t hold back. Go to Jesus with your fears and struggles and expect an extraordinary encounter with Him that will change your life forever. He has been waiting for such a time like this with you since the beginning of time, and He will reveal His glory to you when you call on Him.

Shalom