by Pastor Chris Wall as printed in the Covenant Home Altar the week of August 27th
MATTHEW 8:5-13
We return today to Matthew, another story of Jesus brimming with emotion. What stands out to you about this Roman soldier? He breaks two stereotypes. First, he expresses compassion for a slave, someone who would not ordinarily receive a second thought from a soldier of his rank. And second, this high-ranking Roman soldier goes to an esoteric Jewish teacher for help, showing a deep faith. This level of faith inspires us, but it stunned Jesus. We read in verse 10 that Jesus was “amazed” at this man’s faith, the amount of trust he placed in Jesus.
Matthew 8:5-13
Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant
5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him 6 and saying, ‘Lord, my servant is lying at home paralysed, in terrible distress.’ 7 And he said to him, ‘I will come and cure him.’ 8 The centurion answered, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also 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 slave, “Do this”, and the slave does it.’ 10 When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, ‘Truly I tell you, in no one[a] in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, ‘Go; let it be done for you according to your faith.’ And the servant was healed in that hour.
When Jesus looks at your faith, is he amazed? I think he is. Jesus says elsewhere that it only takes faith the size of mustard seed to move a mountain. Simply by picking up this devotional today, seeking to spend time with Jesus, you have expressed that faith. Let his loving amazement sink in today.
Jesus, thank you for giving us the faith we have. Help us to feel your loving amazement. AMEN.
PRAYER FOCUS: PEOPLE WHO DEAL WITH MENTAL ILLNESS