Matthew 8:5-13 – The Soldier’s Faith

The power of Jesus was becoming well known, so much so that a Roman centurion (one who had rule over a hundred soldiers as implied in the name) came to see Him. This was a man of influence. He could have ordered anyone to go and approach Jesus for him. He could have had Jesus brought before him and ordered Jesus to heal his suffering servant. Regardless of the motivation, this man cared for his servant.

The centurion elected to approach Jesus. This soldier understood true authority when he saw it. The Romans were the ruling authority in Capernaum yet this soldier addresses Jesus as Lord. We do not know much more about this man other than the fact that he knew Jesus was the answer and deemed himself unworthy of having Jesus enter his home.

The faith of this soldier is seen in his recognition of how the spoken Word of Jesus was enough to bring healing to an ailing servant.

“But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.”

Just say the word, Jesus, and it will be done. Why? Jesus is willing. Is that a pattern to be followed in order to receive healing? The truth is, if you believe God is willing and is able to heal, then you have opened the door to God’s healing grace. Does it mean He will heal? No, because we would be placing limits on a limitless God. God heals because God chooses.

Faith is a major factor. Seeking to please God is a major factor. Becoming a pleasing offering to the Lord is a major factor. Recognizing the authority of Jesus is a major factor. But all these are only factors to appeal to the heart of God.

The people of Israel had forgotten how to appeal to the heart of God. This is why Jesus pointed out the heresy of religious habits that become mundane tasks instead of being acts of worship.

Faith believes for what is yet unseen. It is confidence that is not based on proof. Many will come with false beliefs about Christ because they adhered to baseless faith practices that neither glorify nor honor God. This is a dangerous place to be because it will leave them outside God’s realm and in a place so unpleasant that weeping and gnashing of teeth will be the only comfort they have.

Real faith moves the heart of God, and this soldier moved the heart of Jesus. The servant was healed within the hour.

“Sickness and evil are consequences of living in a fallen world. But in the future, when God removes all sin, there will be no more sickness and death. Jesus' healing miracles were a taste of what the whole world will one day experience in God's kingdom.”—Life Application Bible Notes

No one escapes death but there is a great hope for the day when God removes all sickness, pain, sin, and death from this world. In that I have great faith.

• Do you have a faith that moves the heart of God because you desire God?
• Do you believe the word of Jesus is enough?
• To what hope do you cling?

 Recommended Bible: Life Application Study Bible NLT, TuTone