Reflection from my reading in Matt 8:1-17 the One Year Bible New Testament. 

Under Authority

A Roman officer asked Jesus to heal his servant that was suffering terribly. Jesus was very willing to come to his home and heal him. Here’s what the centurion said,

^“But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁹ For I too 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 servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”  Matthew 8:8–9 

The officer understood that those in authority have it regardless of proximity. He had faith that Jesus had authority over his servant’s sickness.  The officer’s faith was in the authority of Jesus, not in some magic formula.

When you pray, are you depending on a formula or are you trusting the power of Jesus? 

Jesus Marveled

^“When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.” Matthew 8:10 

Jesus was amazed at the Gentile (non-Jewish) officer’s faith. It’s amazing to me that the Son of God was amazed! He had not seen faith this strong in all his travels amongst the people of Israel, which were God’s chosen people!

All Over the World

 ^“I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,” Matthew 8:11 

In this statement, Jesus is commending the officer, but at the same time he is using it as a lesson that non-Jewish people can have faith too! Indeed, people all over the world are coming to faith in Jesus and will celebrate in the Kingdom of Heaven! And ironically, many Jewish people will reject Jesus as their Messiah, and instead of feasting in God’s Kingdom will experience separation from God in Hell. Jesus then said to the officer in Matt 8:13,

                            “Go, let it be done for you as you have believed.”

Jesus was not bound by location but healed the servant instantly because of the officer’s faith. I wonder how much Jesus would do in our lives if we had faith like that officer. I am encouraged to believe in Jesus’ power to do anything and pray big prayers knowing Jesus has the authority to answer them if he chooses!

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