Pray

Read Matthew 8:5-6

Healing of Centurion’s Slave

5 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.”

• What does this request of the officer reveal about his character? Was it typical for an officer to show this much care for a servant? [the same word servant could be interpreted as child]

• Capernaum was a fishing village located on the northwestern shore of Sea of Galilee. What insight might this give us to the story?

Read Matthew 8:7

7 Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.”

• What was Jesus’ response?

• What did Jesus say He would do?

• The man made a request in the preceding verses, but what can we learn from Jesus’ response in verse 7?

• What can we learn from Jesus’ response in regard to God healing us?

• When we pray for healing for ourselves or especially for others, how do we end that prayer usually? [if thy will be done].

Read Matthew 8:8-9

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.”

• What can we learn from this officer’s response? How did He begin HIs response?

• What was the Centurion trying to say when he spoke about the authority?

• When people come to God for healing, do people come with a sense of their unworthiness or do we tend to remind God of why we are deserving of the healing? How is that different from this officer?

• Sometimes, we simply need to ask God for a timely word. How often do we hold God’s Word in that high sense as this officer?

Read Matthew 8:10

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!

• What amazed Jesus with this response? Why is this such a unique response?

• Why did Jesus say he hasn’t seen faith like this? What made the faith that much different?

• Based on this situation, what amazes God?

• Read Mark 6:1-6

• What did unbelief do?

Read Matthew 8:11-12

11 And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. 12 But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

• Who does Abraham, Isaac and Jacob represent? [patriarchs who were the covenant people of God.]

• What is Jesus telling us about Gentiles?

• What is Jesus telling us about Jews or Israelites?

• What is Jesus describing symbolically in verse 11:

• What does Jesus mean when He says,“those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness”?

Read Matthew 8:12

13 Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour.

• Why does Jesus say this person was healed?

• What does believe mean?

• How did this office act in faith?

Think on This…

How is God stretching your faith? Have you had to believe God for something to be accomplished or answered that was beyond your rank and capacity? Compare your view and expectation of God with the centurion’s. What is the next step you need to take in believing God?