Matthew 8:5-13 TPT
Jesus Heals the Son of a Roman Officer
5 When Jesus entered the village of Capernaum, a captain in the Roman army approached him, asking for a miracle. 6 “Lord,” he said, “I have a son [servant] who is lying in my home, paralyzed and suffering terribly.”
7 Jesus responded, “I will go with you and heal him.”
8–9 But the Roman officer interjected, “Lord, who am I to have you come into my house? I understand your authority, for I too am a man who walks under authority and have authority over soldiers who serve under me. I can tell one to go and he’ll go, and another to come and he’ll come. I order my servants and they’ll do whatever I ask. So I know that all you need to do is to stand here and command healing over my son and he will be instantly healed.”
10 Jesus was astonished when he heard this and said to those who were following him, “He has greater faith than anyone I’ve encountered in Israel! 11 Listen to what I am about to tell you. Multitudes of non-Jewish people will stream from the east and the west, to enter into the banqueting feast with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the heavenly kingdom. 12 But many Israelites, born to be heirs of the kingdom, will be turned away and banished into the darkness where there will be bitter weeping and unbearable anguish.”
13 Then Jesus turned to the Roman officer and said, “Go home. All that you have believed for will be done for you!” And his son was healed at that very moment.
This is one of my favorite lessons in New Testament scripture, because it reminds me of the attitude we must “put on” to understand grace and the power of the Anointed One. Religious piety or practice is no substitute for faith which is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not yet seen. Faith is about placing our trust and confidence in God’s love for us and leaning upon the Word of God as Truth. The captain of the Roman army demonstrated what was necessary; his faith astonished Jesus and brought the healing he desired. You and I must demonstrate our faith in Christ’s authority as the Anointed One, as well.
Prayer: Lord, each time I pray help me to better understand your authority and the work of faith that manifests healing miracles. We need so many miracles in our world right now. Set your children to pray in faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen.