Thursday, January 23, 2014
Matthew 8:5-9 Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented." And Jesus said to him, "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 also am 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."
LESSONS IN FAITH
What does it mean to have faith in Christ? God shows us what Christian faith is in the words and actions of the centurion.
+ In the centurion we see someone who knew where to turn for help. He turned to Jesus. Faith is confident that our all powerful Savior-God can help no matter our need or situation.
+ As a sinner, the centurion did not consider himself worthy of God's help. Yet that did not stop him from going to Jesus with his request. Faith turns to Jesus, certain that He will answer us because He is our merciful Savior who has saved us by grace, and who forgives us of all our sins. Jesus' blood shed for us, along with his holy life lived for us, makes us bold to turn to Him for our every need.
+ The centurion knew that all Jesus had to do was to "say the word" and his servant would be healed. Faith is created and strengthened by God's Word. Faith rests on the sure and saving promises of God's Word. Saving faith takes God at His Word.
+ Finally we also see that faith shows itself in love for others. Consider how the centurion was asking Jesus to help his servant. While it is certainly right and proper to turn to Jesus for our own needs, faith is just as concerned about the needs of others.
Yes, faith knows where to turn. Faith is confident of God's help because its trust is in a merciful and crucified Savior. Faith looks to God's Word alone for daily strength and assurance. Faith stays busy by expressing itself in deeds of love for others.
