January 30, 2025
Healing - Part 4
Matthew 8:5-9
01/30/2025
5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came
forward to him, appealing to him,
6 ``Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home,
suffering terribly.''
7 And he said to him, ``I will come and heal him.''
8 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.' (ESV)
When [Jesus] entered Capernaum, a centurion came
forward to him, appealing to him, ``Lord, my servant is
lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.'' And he
said to him, ``I will come and heal him.'' 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. 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.'
The centurion understood the chain of command. He was the
commander of about 100 Roman soldiers, responsible for their
training, upkeep, discipline, and actions. If a subordinate
soldier caused trouble, the centurion could well be punished with
the one who broke the law. Because the centurion had clear
directions as to his mission, the men and equipment for which he
was responsible, he also knew that he could issue orders to his
portion of the Roman cohort.
However, the centurion recognized that Jesus had authority
over more than a company of men. He believed that Jesus truly is
the Son of God, with complete authority over nature.
As we pray, we do so trusting that God will answer our
prayers in the way He knows is for the abundant blessing of those
who believe in Him. Like the prayer of the centurion, the answer
may be a quick ``yes,'' and the deed is done. Like the prayer of
Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, the answer may be ``no,'' for
if the Father had removed the cup of suffering, we would be lost
in sin.
May our Lord grant us faith to trust in Him, that He will
always treat us with love, grace, and mercy. Amen.