2 Timothy 1:9 – In Christ Before the World Began
May 9, 20142 Timothy 1:13 – Life-giving Words In Christ
May 11, 2014
Matthew 8:5-8, 13 (NASB)
“5 And when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, imploring Him,
6 and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented.”
7 Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
8 But the centurion said, “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come
under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
13 And Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; it shall be done for you as you
have believed.” And the servant was healed that very moment.”
Here’s an interesting passage showing God’s great love and grace in the way Jesus responded to the Centurion who came to Him. The Centurion sought the Lord to heal his servant, yet his first response to Jesus was one of being unworthy. HOW did Jesus respond to that?
The Centurion lays out his request and why—his servant was paralyzed and tormented with fear, obviously unable to do anything. I believe this Centurion had great compassion; he cared for his servant and it wasn’t because of what his servant couldn’t do, work lost. He didn’t want to see his servant suffering. And, obviously the Centurion had heard about Jesus, and he had to find Him.
HOW did Jesus respond to his request? Did He condemn him for not doing a better job in taking care of his servant? Did He make the Centurion feel guilty for troubling Him? Did He tell the Centurion he wasn’t worthy enough for Him to come and heal his servant?
NO! In fact, Jesus said he was willing to come to His house and minister healing to his servant. Yet in the Centurion’s mind he felt unworthy. Jesus hadn’t called him unworthy. He hadn’t told him he was unworthy because he didn’t do all the commandments. Jesus actually ignored how the Centurion saw himself. Jesus extended His love and grace to the Centurion. In spite of the Centurions’ picture of himself, Jesus saw his faith.
Jesus sees you the same way today—WORTHY because of His finished work on the Cross for you! See yourself through the eyes of God. Don’t see yourself any other way. See yourself as blessed, healed, and prospering in Jesus name!
