Scripture:
Matthew 8:5-17 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Lord, I am not worthy, but only say the word and my servant will be healed
5 When He entered Capernaum, (A) a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible agony!" 7 "I will come and heal him," He told him.
8 "Lord," the centurion replied, "I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. But only say the word, and my servant will be cured. (B) 9 For I too am a man under authority, having soldiers under my command. [a] I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes; and to another, 'Come!' and he comes; and to my slave, 'Do this!' and he does it."
10 Hearing this, Jesus was amazed and said to those following Him, " I assure you: I have not found anyone in Israel with so great a faith! 11 I tell you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. (C) 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (D) 13 Then Jesus told the centurion, "Go. As you have believed, (E) let it be done for you." And his servant was cured that very moment. [b]
Healings at Capernaum
14 When Jesus went into Peter's house, (F) He saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. Then she got up and began to serve Him. 16 When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. He drove out the spirits (G) with a word and healed all who were sick, (H) 17 so that what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
He Himself took our weaknesses
and carried our diseases. (I) (J)
Footnotes:
Matthew 8:9 Lit under me
Matthew 8:13 Or that hour; lit very hour
Cross references:
Matthew 8:5 : Lk 7:1-10; Jn 4:46-54;
Matthew 8:8 : Ps 107:20; Lk 15:19;, 21;
Matthew 8:11 : Is 49:12; 59:19; Mk 1:11; Lk 13:29; Eph 3:6;
Matthew 8:12 : Mt 13:42;, 50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Lk 13:28;
Matthew 8:13 : Mt 9:22;, 29; Jn 4:53;
Matthew 8:14 : Mk 1:29-34; Lk 4:38-41;
Matthew 8:16 : Mk 3:15; 1Tm 4:1; 1Jn 4:1;
Matthew 8:16 : Mt 4:24; 8:33; Ac 19:12;
Matthew 8:17 : Is 53:4; Mt 1:22;
Matthew 8:17 : Is 53:4;
Reflection:
In Jesus’ time the Jews hated the Romans because they represented everything they stood against -- including foreign domination and pagan beliefs and practices. Why did Jesus not only warmly receive a Roman centurion but praise him as a model of faith and confidence in God? In the Roman world the position of centurion was very important. He was an officer in charge of a hundred soldiers. In a certain sense, he was the backbone of the Roman army, the cement which held the army together. Polybius, an ancient writer, describes what a centurion should be: "They must not be so much venturesome seekers after danger as men who can command, steady in action, and reliable; they ought not to be over-anxious to rush into the fight, but when hard pressed, they must be ready to hold their ground, and die at their posts." The centurion who approached Jesus was not only courageous, but faith-filled as well. He risked the ridicule of his cronies by seeking help from an itinerant preacher from Galilee, and well as mockery from the Jews. Nonetheless, he approached Jesus with confidence and humility. He was an extraordinary man because he loved his slave. In the Roman world slaves were treated like animals rather than people. The centurion was also an extraordinary man of faith. He wanted Jesus to heal his beloved slave. Jesus commends him for his faith and immediately grants him his request. Are you willing to suffer ridicule in the practice of your faith? And when you need help, do you approach the Lord Jesus with expectant faith?
Prayer For The Day:
Heavenly Father, you sent us your Son that we might be freed from the tyranny of sin and death. Increase my faith in the power of your saving word and give me freedom to love and serve others with generosity and mercy as you have loved me.
No comments:
Post a Comment