Text: Matthew 8:1-13 & Luke 7:1-10
Last week, we talked about the woman with the issue of blood. Jesus told her that her faith had made her whole.
In Luke 7, a centurion sends the elders of the Jews to Jesus on his behalf. Why did he send them? Since Jesus was a Jew and they were Jews, it seemed the natural thing to do.
The elders approach Jesus, pleading and begging that he help the centurion. Their request was based on merit and mercy, not faith.
People of great faith are embarrassed by less. Many suggest the centurion changed his mind when he saw Jesus approaching his house. Yet, his true motivation is clear by the message he sends with a second group, probably his friends. They are not there to alter the request, but to correct it. (Luke 7:6-8) He tells he's a man under authority. If he speaks a word, people obey him. He recognizes that Jesus is also under authority, and asks Him to just speak the word, and his servant would be healed.
Matt. 8:10-13 tells of Jesus' commendation. He marvels at the man's great faith. He tells the messengers to go their way and as they have believed, so let it be done for you (the centurion). The servant was not instantly healed, but was whole within the hour.
Application: Do our prayers contain the residue of merit and mercy or are they saturated with the power of faith and belief in the Word, power, and goodness of God?
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