Scripture:
Matthew 8:8-13 NKJV
[8] The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. [9] For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this 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 it, He marveled and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! [11] And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. [12] But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” [13] Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.
Observation:
This is one of those scriptures that I not only think about but bring to the attention of others on a pretty regular basis. It’s a scripture that has affected my life and the way I operate. I’m sure it’s one that most of us have gotten the opportunity to read or have heard someone preach over because the content in it is so powerful. So, let’s dive in. A centurion officer is a Roman soldier who is in charge of 100 troops. It was not a small responsibility in that day, and I’m sure the amount of pressure to perform was only topped by the amount of scrutiny that this man was under. Rome ran a very tight ship. That’s why they ruled most of the known world at that point. Even the conversation this centurion had with Jesus could be used against him. So even the brief exchange that took place could cause repercussions in not only his life but the life of Jesus as well. However, that did not stop him from talking to Jesus. He knew that Jesus could heal his servant. He had probably been standing around the edge of circles where Jesus was encountered and watched mirrical after mirrical. When he heard his servant was sick, his belief in Jesus went to an all-time high. I could see him running up to Jesus after frantically searching for HIM. Thinking, ” Where is that guy… I know HE can heal him, I have seen HIM heal so many already.” I picture him out of breath and desperate. When HE finds Jesus, he knows he can’t have him in his house due to the authority he was given by Rome. All he could do was ask for his servant to be healed. When Jesus responded with a “let’s go,” I’m sure the centurion almost didn’t know how to react. Wanting the servant to be healed but knowing that having a Jewish rabbi in his home was out of the question. He had to have a response that would bring healing yet save the controversial encounter from turning into a deadly one. ” Wait, you can’t come to my house. I have been a trusted officer for Rome they have given me authority over others. Not to mention that I am just unworthy.” In a sense, he had acknowledged his sin before the son of the living GOD. His response of, “Just say the words and it will be done,” was the biggest show of faith that Jesus had heard ever, and HE didn’t mind saying it so the crowd would know what real faith looked like. Verses 11 and 12 are a statement of purpose. They seem to take a small turn from what going on, but in all reality, they don’t. It’s the way the Jesus is telling the crowd that HE came to die for all mankind. Without just coming out and saying it. Then, in verse 13, HE gets to the statement that helps me correct my thinking. “Go your way, and as you believe it, so let it be done for you.” Now, a little later in the scripture, there is a follow-up on this story. When the centurion gets to his home and finds his servant healed, he inquires of the time when it happened, as if his faith was just a little questionable on it, and finds that the very hr that Christ spoke the words the servant was healed.
Application:
I want to look at the word faith this morning and the powerful words that were spoken.” As you believe it, so let it be done for you. ” I want us to think about that just a little bit. Ok, let me tell the truth… I want us to think about that a lot. So let’s ask ourselves a question… what is faith? Faith is believing something that you can’t honestly see evidence of. Hebrews chapter 11 verse 1 says that faith is the substance of what is HOPED for, the evidence of things not seen. To put it straight, it’s a belief that can not be changed by circumstances. That brings me to this question: What do you believe? If you believe you can, then you will. If you believe you can’t, you won’t. Either way, you’re right. Now here’s where I’m going to challenge your thinking to get real big. I see how we limit GOD and what HE wants to do by not what we think HE can do but by what we are believing for. I believe that GOD has already told us in HIS word that we limit HIM. Ephesians chapter 3 verse 20 says, ” Now to HIM who is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we can ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” This to me says we pit GOD in the box of our mind, and we are limited. Let’s step outside of what WE think and step into what the bible says. I don’t want to limit GOD. I want to set HIM free to do what HE wants to do. So when I look at HIM, I see HIM as able to do bigger things than I can think or come up with. So I press on to the biggest thing I can think of, and then I press even further. GOD said it, I believe it, and that settles it. How big do you believe GOD is? Do you believe HE can… well, then HE can. Here is another place where I see an issue. A lot of us believe HE can… just not for us, GOD is no respecter of persons. Acts chapter 10 verse 34 and Romans chapter verse 11 both highlight that GOD’S judgment and blessings are based on actions and character, not external factors. My point is HE will do it for you as well as me and anyone else. But what do you really believe? If, in fact, you believe HE will, then your faith will take action on that belief. Just like the centurion. Who knew that Jesus could and saw HIS heart, He took action to find HIM and ask HIM. Are you taking action on your beliefs? James tells us that faith without works is dead. If you believe HE can HE will and if you limit HIM, that’s your fault. If I am going to be in trouble for doing anything when I get to heaven. I want it to be for believing too much in what GOD can and will do for me.
Prayer:
Father, we know that you are able, and we release you to do what you want to. We want our lives to be what you want them to be, and we know that we are blessed and favored by you. When this whole thing started, it started with your word. You spoke, and things happened. I believe the word you spoke was Jesus… the light of the world. I also believe that the creative power that you released in that world is still expanding today. The universe is growing because of the word you spoke. I know that you are not done, and I never want to limit you. I pray that the men and women who have taken time to read this would take whatever limit they have placed on you off. We know that you are able to do more than we could ever imagine. Grow us shape us and mold us. Let the faith you have placed inside of us be big enough for others to rest on until theirs grows strong enough to support those around them as well. You are a big GOD waiting to show up and show out, and we want you to do so. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen