Matthew 8:5-8

"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.'"

 

This Roman officer had great faith, and why? Because he understood authority, and he believed Jesus had authority over all sickness and disease. He knew Jesus' physical presence for his servant was unnecessary for the servant to be healed. Faith in this case is demonstrated by a recognition of Jesus' authority. Do you truly believe in Jesus' authority over the issues in your life? Jesus is the last word in your life, not your problems. Take your problems to Jesus. He alone has the power to do for you what you cannot do for yourself.

Genesis 24:2-4, 7

"One day Abraham said to his oldest servant, the man in charge of his household, 'Take an oath by putting your hand under my thigh. Swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not allow my son to marry one of these local Canaanite women. Go instead to my homeland, to my relatives, and find a wife there for my son Isaac. ... For the LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and my native land, solemnly promised to give this land to my descendants. He will send his angel ahead of you, and he will see to it that you find a wife there for my son.'"

 

Abraham believed God about several things: that God would give him and his descendants the land; that Isaac was supposed to marry a woman from his own tribe; and that God would show his servant who Isaac's wife was to be. And so it happened as Abraham believed. Abraham believed what would happen (based on the promises of God), and he left it up to God to work out how it would happen. As you seek God's way for you, focus on the "what," and let God take care of the "how." Trust him for the how, believe him for the what.

Matthew 8:2-4

"Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. 'Lord,' the man said, 'if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.'

  "Jesus reached out and touched him. 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be healed!' And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Then Jesus said to him, 'Don't tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.'"

 

This leper had faith that Jesus could heal him, but he was not so sure Jesus would want to. Jesus did want to. And he not only healed the man's leprosy, he healed him all the way by restoring the possibility of rejoining the community. (Lepers were outcasts.) Jesus knew the man needed more than physical healing. He needed to be restored to the community. Jesus always heals not only what we think we need, but everything else involved. Perhaps this leper never dreamed he'd ever be in community again. Jesus gives more than we dare ask for or imagine.