The apostle Peter had his home on the shores of the Sea of Galilee in Capernaum. It was there that Jesus saw the infirmity of Peter’s mother-in-law and healed her. It was also in Capernaum that Jesus met one of the only two Gentiles He ever ministered to—a Roman Centurion. The story is recorded in Matthew 8.
A Roman Centurion was a soldier in charge of 100 men. He was not a Jew, and unlike Cornelius in Acts 10 and 11, he was a not a Believer either. Yet this same centurion sought out Jesus and pleaded with Him to heal his servant who was plagued with paralysis. Without hesitation, Jesus said, “I will come, and I will heal him.” Yet the man stopped Him. He did not feel he was worthy for Jesus to come to his home. Perhaps he was embarrassed at the prospect of having Jesus see the household gods characteristic to a Roman household. Whatever the reason, he would not let Jesus come. Yet he said, “For I also am a man under authority.... And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
I remind you; this was not a man of the covenant, old or new. He was not even Semitic. The Roman Empire was deeply pagan, adopting and worshiping gods from all over. Needless to say, the concept of spirituality and religion in Rome did not at all compare to that of Israel. Yet despite his spiritual ignorance, the centurion understood the principle of authority and the power that accompanied it. The Roman’s perception and words caused Jesus to marvel openly stating that He had not found such faith in all of Israel! And it is here, that He begins to prophesy of the salvation of the Gentiles!
You may not understand everything there is to know in the Bible. You may not feel that you’re qualified based on where you’ve come from or what you’ve done to receive the gift of healing in your life. Yet here is a testimony of Jesus’s astonishment at the fact that
one man believed in His ability to simply speak the Word and cause a miracle to take place. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His spoken Word has power. And He wants you to receive your healing.
I know that there are many of you who wonder if you are capable of receiving a miracle. I want you to have the same faith that the centurion did, knowing that Jesus has been seated at the right hand of the Father and given all authority over sickness and disease. Knowing that the Bible says that by His stripes, we are healed, I want you to believe like the centurion did: that if Jesus will simply speak the Word, you can receive your miracle today! No matter the need, no matter how it may seem in your life today, all that has to happen is for our Savior to speak His promise over you, and you too can be healed.
PRAYER
You are the healer of my soul and of everything that afflicts me. Today, I choose to partner with the Word of God in faith and trust You to send Your Word and heal me of every disease!
