Principle Passages: Say the Word (Matthew 8:8)

Throughout the Bible there are practical principles to help us understand how to live the Christian life. In this series we’ll take a look at 5 Principle Passages each from the Old and New Testaments.

I love studying the Bible. With my spiritual gift of teaching I’m wired up to read the Bible and intuitively recognize biblical principles. When this happens I immediately look around right away to find someone to teach it to.

Matthew 8:5-13 tells the story of a Roman centurion who asked Jesus to heal a highly valued servant. The idea of a Roman soldier – a Gentile and Jewish oppressor – coming to Jesus and asking for anything is remarkable. What’s more incredible is that Jesus agreed to go heal the servant.

In Luke 7:1-10, a parallel passage, we learn that this centurion was a very unique Roman soldier. He was respected by the Jewish elders because he loved Israel and had built a synagogue for the Jewish people. Obviously, he was a good and decent man.

When Jesus agreed to go to the centurion’s house the soldier said, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:8). This statement reveals two aspects of the centurion’s character. First, he was a man of humility. He recognized that there was something special about Jesus. We don’t know if the man realized that Jesus is the Messiah; but it’s amazing that a Roman soldier would admit his unworthiness to have Jesus visit his home.

The second truth about the man’s character is that he was a man of faith. He knew it was unnecessary for Jesus to come to his home. All Jesus had to do was “say the word” and his servant would be healed. The Bible says that Jesus was “astonished” by the man’s faith. There aren’t many times in Scripture that Jesus is astonished by anything. The Lord said that he hadn’t found anyone in Israel with such great faith. Remarkably, this great faith was demonstrated by a Gentile – not one of the chosen people of Israel.

How about your faith? Do you practice the Just Say the Word principle? Do you read something in the Bible and put it into practice immediately? Do you sense a whisper from God and obey the directive?

You may be thinking, “My faith is just not that strong.” Remember that Jesus said that all we need is a faith as small as a mustard seed – the smallest of all seeds planted in Israel. Remember that it isn’t how much faith you have; it’s who you have faith in! Whatever you face … whatever the need, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

Or you have struggled with obedience before, but today you’re re-committed to implementing the “Just Say the Word” principle. Good for you … except … you will probably fail once again … unless … you depend solely on the power of the Holy Spirit. In Zechariah 4:6 God warns, “’Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.”

Be committed to obeying the “Just Say the Word” principle. But trust God to provide the faith and power to live it out day by day.

© 2011 Designed to Serve®