Scripture:
Matthew 8:5-13 ESV
[5] When he had 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.” [10] 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. [11] I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, [12] while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” [13] And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
Observation:
I know I am really driving this point home, but I believe it’s important to know. Belief is faith in action. Jesus had just come into Capernaum news about HIM had beat HIM there. HIS popularity was growing, and everyone had heard about all the miraculous things HE had done. A high-ranking soldier from the Roman army approached HIM… His servant had become ill and was laid up in bed, unable to move. The soldiers’ request was nothing out of the ordinary, or so it seemed. All he was asking was for his servant to be healed. However, this healing was going to have to take place a little differently than all the rest. You see, the soldier was a man of authority, and Jesus was a Jewish teacher, also known as a Rabbi for Jesus to be seen in the Centurions house would have cost them both their lives. This made the Centurions request a lot different than any other request. It would have to be done without being in the presence of the individual receiving it. Up to this point, that was unheard of. Hearing the full weight of the request, you might say Jesus was totally shocked by the faith that was exhibited through what was being asked and couldn’t help but use it as a teaching moment. Now, you might think the next statement is somewhat out of place. But it’s not. Jesus is teaching HIS disciples about faith. Faith is believing in what you can’t see. However, you just know deep in the darkest part of your heart that it’s going to happen. You might say you believe it without a doubt. So, the statement about the sons of the kingdom being thrown into outer darkness referred to the Pharisees who did not believe that Jesus was the son of GOD. I could go into the face that they were taught about the messiah all their lives and missed the fact that HE was right in front of them. Because it has to do with how they believed it would happen. Jesus didn’t look or act the way they believed in their heart that HE should, so they dismissed HIM as the Messiah. Therefore, missing the boat. This centurion soldier, on the other hand, had the kind of faith that was needed to get him a spot on the boat. The final verse brings out the point I have been trying to get across. For the past few days, the statement made by Jesus is a simple one, but it carries an impact that can be supported throughout the bible. “Go; let it be done as you have believed it.” You see the statement that was made in faith by the soldier, “Just say the words, and ut will be done.” Was a powerful statement that showed Jesus that he believed it would happen. Not that it could happen happen but that it WOULD. Faith is belief, and that belief will produce action.
Application:
I was having a conversation with one of the men I seek spiritual advice from yesterday his name is Carl. Our conversation was on the topic of the scripture and how important it is to believe what it says. If you’re one who has not read the bible through, I would make the suggestion that you make it a goal. I can’t begin to express the difference it has made in my life and the way it has increased my faith. I believe what it says is the truth. Not only have I read it, but I have experienced the transformation that happens when you apply the principles of GOD’S word in your life. The thing is, you have to believe it. The Bible says it is impossible to please GOD without faith. Well, faith is believing in something that you can’t see. Trusting that without a doubt, it’s going to happen. Not wavering, not shifting from one side to the other. It’s standing firm no matter what it looks like or what others say. Faith is believing no matter what. The statement Jesus spoke to the soldier hits me right in my heart. “Let it be done as you have believed it.” I hope you can see the way this is worded is so very important it’s a past tense statement. “As you have believed.” My experience with this is a hard one. I have asked for things that did not happen in my life…. and I know the reason why they didn’t. Deep down in my heart, I had a small seed of doubt, a seed that produced some fruit of doubt every time someone spoke to me about what I had been praying for. That doubt grew into unbelief, and what I had been praying for didn’t happen. But honestly, maybe I didn’t really want it to happen. If we are going to believe in something, every deep dark spot of our hearts has to be all in doubt, which is dangerous and allows a back door for the enemy to say stuff like…see I told you that bible stuff wasn’t real… do you really think HE will give you what you ask for… maybe it’s just not GOD’S will. Listen, if we don’t get what we believe for, it’s not GOD that has failed. it’s something in us that’s not where it needs to be. What we believe matters. What we allow to take root in our hearts matters. What we speak matters.
Prayer:
Father, we come to you today knowing that you are so much bigger than we could ever think. We want our belief to line up with your ability. You have made highways through the sea, brought walls down with a war cry, and made the sun stand still in the sky. You did it before, and you will do it again. Remove from us any doubt. Help us to continue our walk in faith. Let our faith not put us on the couch but into action. Because we believe your word, we will do your word, and when we do your word, we will see the results you spoke about in your word. We love you and trust what you have said us truth. We want to live like we believe it is. Trusting that you will part the sea… you will kill the giant… you will knock the walls down. Remove any doubt we may have in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.