Speak the Word - Matthew 8:5-13

This week we celebrated Memorial Day to remember the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives serving in the military. They served to protect and keep us safe from enemies who wish to harm and dominate free people. They may have volunteered or they may have been drafted and had no choice. Once they were enlisted they had to be physically and mentally trained, educated in weaponry and their field of expertise, disciplined to follow orders and the chain of command.

During the times of Jesus the Jewish people in Israel were ruled by the Romans. The Roman Empire was strong and covered north Africa, parts of Asia and Europe, and the middle east. Roman soldiers were foreigners who served many gods and goddesses. It was Roman soldiers that carried out the orders to crucify Jesus on the cross.

On one occasion Jesus had entered the town of Capernaum and a Roman centurion (military leader in the Roman army) approached Him and pleaded with Him, saying “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” Jesus responded and said, “I will come and heal him.” 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. For I am also 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.”

When Jesus heard the centurion speak He was amazed and said to His followers, “Truly I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel.”  Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way, and as you have believed, so be it done for you.” And the servant was healed that very same hour.

The Roman centurion understood authority and He respected Jesus’ authority to heal. Although he had a prestigious position in the military, he came to Jesus with humility and faith to plead on behalf of his servant. The centurion only needed a spoken word from Jesus. As far as he was concerned, once Jesus said the Word that was enough for him. As Christians we have the spoken Word in written form. We are to speak His Word (scriptures in Bible) when it comes to our circumstance and mix it with faith believing that what God has promised He will perform. Jesus said the centurion had great faith. If we want great faith then we must continue to hear the Word of God and speak to our circumstances. Faith can grow by hearing and hearing the Word of God. As we speak the Word the seeds of faith get planted in our hearts and grow.  As we meditate on God’s Word we can expect to be prosperous and have good success.  (Joshua 1:8; Romans 10:8; Romans 10:17)

Read the rest at: https://litwithprayer.substack.com/p/speak-the-word?sd=pf