THE WORD ONLY
The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. Matthew 8:8
This centurion knew authority when he saw it. He himself commanded one hundred men, and he had witnessed countless examples of power and authority within the ranks of the Roman army. And he knew Jesus had it.
As a result, the centurion did not come pleading his worth (although the Jews made the mistake of pleading on his merit to Jesus). He knew that there was no claim he could make upon Jesus' power; if Jesus healed, it would because He wished to heal, not because the centurion deserved the favour.
Further, the centurion had such confidence in Jesus' authority that he knew Jesus could do what had not even been seen or done yet, apparently. Jesus had so far only healed in person, but the centurion knew that Jesus' authority to heal the sick was in His Word. “Speak the word only was all that Jesus had to do and he knew his servant would be healed.
Jesus' reply to the centurion is just as remarkable as the centurion's statement. Jesus exclaimed, "I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel”. This is quite a compliment, coming from anyone. But for Jesus himself to marvel at the centurion's faith tells us it is certainly something to emulate ourselves.
We must come to know the place and the power of the Word. We need a revelation of the mystery of the Word. The Word is eternal. It carries the presence and power of God. The Word is God. All things were made and is sustained by the Word. All things are possible for those who put their faith in the Word.
Prayer: Lord, speak your word to me and bring life and healing to every troubled area of my life.
Scriptural Reading: Matthew 8:5-13
