Just Say the Word

Matthew 8:5-11

The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.

I think it is interesting that the story of the centurion is placed right after the story of the man with leprosy. They both approach Jesus; they both ask Jesus a favor, but it is the centurion whose faith is commended.

The centurion tells Jesus essentially, "I know what it means to have power. I know what it means to have my word fulfilled outside of my presence. You don't have to be present to heal my servant. Just say the word."

The centurion rests on Christ's word. This is one of the essentials of faith, to rest on God's word.

This is the faith I pray for.