Our scripture this morning is Matthew 8:5-13.
“When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.” Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.” 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. 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.” 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! 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. 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.” 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.”
People heard the testimony of others and often came to Jesus for healing. However, this passage tells of a Roman soldier, an officer of the occupying force, coming in faith and asking not for himself, but for his servant. Jesus offers to go to his house, but the soldier says “Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed” (v. 8 ).
Jesus uses this opportunity to speak of the coming unity of believers, no matter their background. He tells them “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” (v. 11), all God’s children who accept Christ as savior. He is not the Jewish Messiah but THE Messiah, sent to all the world.
God wants everyone to be part of His family in eternity. His love extends to everyone for all time. It is up to each of us to listen to His word and make it part of our lives, honoring Christ’s sacrifice for us and sharing the Good News with everyone.
Gracious God, You call us all into an everlasting connection with You. Bless us to be diligent in our faith, telling the world the joy we have found in You. Amen.