THE BOLDNES OF FAITH

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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Today, we continue our study of several amazing encounters between Jesus Christ and those people who crossed his path immediately following the teaching known as the Sermon on the Mount. The Gospel writer included each of these encounters so that the reader would learn more about the character and nature of Jesus of Nazareth. 

The encounter that follows is not only a clear sign of Jesus’ divine nature but also speaks to his wider purpose as the Savior of all mankind. 

5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”

7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”

8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 

13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.

(Matthew 8:5-13 NIV11)

Capernaum

Here, we see Jesus and his disciples returning to their base of operations, the village of Capernaum. Here, Jesus and his friends would routinely find rest from their work as they stayed in Simon-Peter’s family home. This was a small town, and it would not have been difficult to find Jesus, especially after a time of public ministry. 

Additionally, the people of the surrounding region, known as the Galilee, were notoriously adversarial toward Rome’s authority. Herod had taxed these people ruthlessly on behalf of the Romans, and the presence of a high-ranking official from the Roman Legions would also not have gone unnoticed.  

Request

The Centurion simply explains that his beloved servant is ill and in need. He does not make a formal request for Jesus’ intervention. 

Jesus is the one who asks the question, “Should I come and heal him?”

Jewish people did not enter into the houses of Roman soldiers. To do so would have been a massive shock to both the Romans and to the Jewish people. Yet Jesus appears willing to set aside religious expectations out of compassion for the one who is hurting. 

Authority

The Centurion solves this problem by confessing his faith in Jesus. He acknowledges that Jesus is above him in authority and power. He confesses his belief that Jesus, should he be willing, has the divine nature and authority needed to bring healing, whether or not he is present with the sick servant. 

It is amazing that this man of worldly power and authority recognizes Jesus’ true nature and authority and boldly proclaims his faith in Jesus in front of all who were present. This man may not have had the words to articulate his saving faith in Jesus Christ, but he shows his faith by the fruit of his life. 

Verses 10-12

Jesus uses this man’s expression of real faith as a warning to all. The Lord has come to call all who are willing into a place of saving faith. Over and over, Jesus will call all who are willing to come to him in faith.

And just as clearly, Jesus Christ showed what could be expected by those who turned away from the call to faith in Christ. At the conclusion of his teaching from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus clearly warned all who would hear that a lack of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ would result in eternal separation from God. 

Warning

We can hear this powerful teaching in the following:

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

(Matthew 7:21-23 NIV11)

Jesus made it clear that not everyone will enter the gift of heaven, but he also made it clear that anyone can. Anyone who takes a step of faith toward Jesus Christ will be welcomed and embraced. 

Jesus Christ has not called mankind to greater works or a higher ethic, he has called all of creation into a relationship based on faith. If you choose faith in Jesus, you will be welcomed into eternal life. 

Completion

Jesus completed this encounter by meeting the need of the Centurion and his servant. That household would never be the same. The faith of the leader would result in the blessing of all under his care. 

The Centurion had the boldness to step out in faith. He was not afraid to be publicly known as one who embraces the true divine nature and authority of Jesus. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, by faith I come before you today, confessing my own submission to your authority over all things. There is nothing in my life that is off-limits to your leadership. Where I have tried to wrestle away control of my life, I willingly submit to you once again. Thank you for the example of the Centurion. Help me to live in that kind of confident faith today.  

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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