Faith to Act

Read Matthew 8:5-13, 12:22-50, Luke 7-8:3
 
Matthew 8:5-10 When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, 6 “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.” 7 Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. 9 I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’  they do it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven't seen faith like this in all Israel!”  
 
YOU know, don’t you, that the Kingdom of God depends on faithful people taking action? The Roman Centurion did not grow up in the teachings of God. Still, he knew how to get things done. His young servant was very sick. So he took action for his servant’s healing. Where do you go when you are in great need? You go to the Hope of the World. How did the Roman know?
   Perhaps while on duty to monitor crowds, the centurion may have heard Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount or witnessed Jesus healing the leper. He certainly had heard of Jesus’ power to heal. The stories would be everywhere!
   The centurion needed help for his sick servant, so he focused on what he had seen or heard. Apparently, he believed in Jesus’ power. So he put his faith into action. The pagan centurion effectively and humbly prayed directly to the Lord Jesus, “Say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.” You may hear it as if the centurion is demanding Jesus, “Heal my servant.” This is, instead, a prayer of faith and expectation. “Say the word, Lord.” is  a good prayer.
   It is interesting Matthew described Jesus as amazed. Do you think Jesus did not expect such a response? Perhaps he thought the Roman was the same as the doubting, questioning Jewish authority. Maybe he was very grateful for a Gentile to demonstrate such deep, active faith. The Lord then makes the centurion his teaching illustration: “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!” One teaching technique is hyperbole – exaggeration – to make a point. There were certainly Israelites who had great faith as we’ve witnessed, for example, with Mary and Joseph. But unlike the Jews, who continually demanded a sign from Jesus, the centurion only wanted a word from Jesus. This is the LORD God’s desire for his people – believe in and believe the Word of God.
   Thus, Jesus rebuked his people for their underlying doubt regarding his identity and purpose. Kingdom work is spoken. Kingdom work is done.
   Jesus’ church needs people who act with faith. The next time you are deciding whether to act on the LORD’s Word or not, consider this: What if the centurion had gone home and said, “I believe in Jesus.” but he had never prayed and acted into his faith?