March 11
“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!’” Matthew 8:10.
The word got around that Jesus had returned to Capernaum, the city which was called His hometown during His ministry in that area. When a certain centurion, a Roman serving in the military, learned that Jesus had come, he sent servants to Jesus who requested Jesus to come and heal the centurion’s house servant. The house servant was suffering extreme pain and he also was paralyzed. As reported by the evangelist Luke, the servants who came to Jesus told Him that the centurion was a man of very good reputation, who deserved Jesus’ attention and help. Jesus’ response was, “I will come and heal him.”
Jesus went with the servants, but before He even arrived at the centurion’s house, other messengers were sent with the centurion’s message, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, having 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 centurion was a very humble, trusting man. He had faith and trust in Jesus’ power. Through his servants, he told Jesus that He did not have to come and enter the house; his faith in who Jesus was and what He could do is summarized in the statement, “Only speak a word, and my servant will be healed!” The centurion was a Roman who had heard about Jesus and who trusted that Jesus could and would help.
It moved Jesus to say, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” The Roman centurion had a faith greater than the people of Israel, Jesus’ own countrymen! The centurion was expressing his own unworthiness and his reliance on Jesus’ mercy.
With the attitude of a believing centurion, you and I also step into Jesus’ presence confessing our own unworthiness. We are sinners who deserve God’s wrath and judgment. As such, we can only cast ourselves upon the mercy of God revealed in Christ Jesus. We believe that, “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation . . . (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him,” 2 Corinthians 5:19, 21. This is our humble plea: “God be merciful to me, a sinner!”
Whatever our need, whether it is for body or soul, we are invited to turn to the Lord and to put our trust in His Word and promises. “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24.
I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, Trusting only Thee;
Trusting Thee for full salvation, Great and free.
I am trusting Thee to guide me; Thou alone shalt lead,
Ev’ry day and hour supplying, All my need.
I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus; Never let me fall.
I am trusting Thee forever, And for all. Amen.