In this story, we hear a picture of who God is. It is a picture of One who has authority and desire to bring healing to people; One who does what He says He will do; One who desires to be known and received; One who delights in our coming, asking and responding to Him. As you read and reflect on this passage ask God to reveal to you the places where your image of God may differ from who God truly is.
Matthew 8:5-13
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly." Jesus said to him, "Shall I come and heal him?" The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.
- What is your picture of God? Has your picture been distorted by authority figures in your life?
- Have you been one who struggles with authority in your life? How do you view authority?
- Where are you in your belief/unbelief? Is this message about God sometimes too good to be true? Too much to take in?
- How might you talk with Jesus about your belief or unbelief?
- What might God's invitation to you be through this story? Are you one of the characters?
- Might there be places within you that remain paralyzed and in anguish?
- Who can you ask to make requests to Jesus on your behalf?
Posted on
Thu, April 1, 2010
by RMI