Matthew 8 Devotional

Authority That Needs Only a Word

“The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.”Matthew 8:8 (BSB)

Coming down from the mountain, Jesus touches a man with leprosy and makes him clean (8:3). In Capernaum a centurion asks help for a servant lying paralyzed at home. When Jesus offers to come, the officer says he is not worthy to have Jesus under his roof. He gives orders and they are carried out, and he believes Jesus has only to speak (8:8-9). Jesus marvels at his faith and says people will come from east and west to feast in the kingdom (8:10-11). The servant is healed that very hour, though Jesus never reaches the house (8:13).

The rest of the chapter shows how far that authority reaches. A fever leaves at his touch, spirits leave at his word, and the wind and waves obey him (8:15-16, 8:26-27). Matthew sees Isaiah's promise fulfilled: the coming one would bear our weaknesses and sicknesses himself (8:17). The centurion brought only his need and his confidence in Jesus' word, and it was enough. Your need can rest on that same word.

To think about: What need have you hesitated to bring to Jesus, and what would it look like to trust his word about it today?