Matthew 8: Setting Things Right (2)
Pray Psalm 67.1-3.
God be merciful to us and bless us,
And cause His face to shine upon us,
Selah
That Your way may be known on earth,
Your salvation among all nations.
Let the peoples praise You, O God;
Let all the peoples praise You.
Sing Psalm 67.1-3.
Solid Rock: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
O bless us, Savior, by Your grace, and shine upon us with Your face,
that we Your way may loud proclaim, and tell to all the earth Your fame!
Refrain vv. 3, 5
Let all the peoples praise You, LORD,
rejoicing in Your holy Word, rejoicing in Your holy Word!
Read Matthew 8.1-13; meditate on verses 5-13.
Prepare.
1. How did the centurion show his faith to Jesus?
2. How did Jesus respond to his faith?
Meditate.
In Capernaum, to the north, it would not have been uncommon to find Jews and Gentiles rather more mixed in with one another. But it was still the Jewish mindset that the Gentiles were, and always would be, outsiders to the line of Abraham.
But this was because of years of prejudice, built-up by teachers who resented the Gentiles and refused to listen to the teaching of God’s Word. We have already seen, in the visit of the Magi, that the Gentile world would be drawn to Jesus. This centurion is but another indication of the broad scope of Jesus’ work. Disciples will arise to Jesus from “all the nations” (Matt. 28.18-20). Here is one more portent of the Kingdom’s all-encompassing extent.
The centurion came in faith, faith that amazed Jesus (v. 10). He had not seen such faith thus far anywhere in Israel. This was certainly a rebuke to the Jews, even those closest to Him. Jesus used the centurion’s complete trust in Him, and recognition of His power and authority, to recall the promise to Abraham, that in him all the nations and families of the earth would be blessed (Gen. 12.1-3). Faith, like that of the centurion, is the key for Gentiles and Jews alike to enter the Kingdom of heaven. At the same time, those who fancy themselves as having a lock on that Kingdom, by virtue of mere physical descent from Abraham, will be cast out into weeping and gnashing of teeth. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11.6).
Faith is the gift of God (Eph. 2.8, 9). We do well always to ask, seek, and knock for it. Believing in Jesus unleashes power to overturn the terrible effects of sin. A paralyzed and tormented servant was here released from his misery and healed by the mere Word of Jesus, spoken in response to the request of faith, and accomplished at a distance. This is the power that Jesus wields among and through all who know Him.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth…
Blessed are the merciful, for the shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5.4, 5, 7, 8).
This centurion of Capernaum, who came to Jesus pleading for the healing of his paralyzed and tormented servant, exemplified many of the characteristics of those to whom God’s blessings pertain.
The tender, loving care this powerful man had for his servant; the grief he felt for his suffering; the mercy that led him to seek his healing; and the purity of heart he had in faith, believing, all made Jesus marvel.
And Jesus complimented him by saying, “I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 8.10, 11). All inclusive.
Jesus was portraying a beautiful travel brochure for the Kingdom: a place to sit down and visit with all the saints of old. A place to be with Him forever. As Paul later wrote: “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him” (I Thess. 5.9, 10).
Jesus told us where we will be staying when we arrive: “I go to prepare a place for you” (Jn. 14.2).
And we will be there with this lovely centurion, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jesus, and all the others who have preceded us—those who have received Him and believe in His Name (Jn. 1.12).
“For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For ‘whoever calls on the Name of the LORD shall be saved’” (Rom. 10.11-13).
“And those who know Your Name will put their trust in You;
for You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You” (Ps. 9.10).
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matt. 5.6).
So, now “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you” (Matt. 8.13).
We are to follow the Sermon on the Mount as the leper and this centurion did.
The guide—for our travels and final destination—clearly defines our daily plans; we need only meditate in it (Ps. 1.2) to see the sights here and now; and look forward to the future sights there and then. Bearing in mind, always, the protocols (Ex. 20.1-17) and dress (Eph. 6.13-20) for our current location.
Being people, equally as nice, as our dear centurion.
Reflect.
1. How was the centurion’s faith evident to Jesus? What did Jesus see in him?
2. What did he believe Jesus could do? What do you believe Jesus can do?
3. Whom today will you encourage to have greater faith in Jesus?
Jesus is found marveling at the centurion. He turns his attention to him and honors him with the gift of the kingdom. He calls others to the same zeal. John Chrysostom (344-407), The Gospel of Matthew, Homily 26.2
Pray Psalm 67.4-7.
Pray for the nations of the world, that God would revive His churches in them, and bring a great season of awakening to the world. Pray for the people in your Personal Mission Field, that they may come to or grow in faith.
Sing Psalm 67.4-7.
Solid Rock: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
Let all the nations gladly sing and joyous praise before You bring.
You judge them by Your holy worth and guide the nations of the earth.
Refrain vv. 3, 5
Let all the peoples praise You, LORD,
rejoicing in Your holy Word, rejoicing in Your holy Word!
The earth in full its bounty yields—the blessèd harvest of the fields.
We gather blessings from Your Word that all the earth may fear You, LORD.
Refrain
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest: This week: The Read Moore podcast continues readings from our book, The Kingdom Turn. Our Crosfigell teaching letter presses ahead in a series on the state of the Church in Europe at the time of the Celtic Revival. The ReVision column looks at David as a visionary leader. Check out our other excellent writers. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
