Just Say the Word

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. Matthew 8:5-13  

Just say the word…. That Roman officer totally believed in Jesus’ power to heal. Jesus didn’t even have to touch his servant…or be in the same room. Just say the word.

Do you have that kind of faith? When you pray do you just say the word asking, expecting and trusting Jesus to provide physical, spiritual or emotional healing to you, a family member, friend or neighbor? Your prayers may be more powerful than you realize. Faith—like that of the Roman officer—is the key. Ask, believe and you will receive. Isn’t that what Jesus said in one of His last discussions with His disciples.

You haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy. John 16:24

Message etched on an empty vessel in Jerusalem

As a believing Gentile I am excited about Jesus statement that many Gentiles will come and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. Life centers around food—and so this Banquet with the King and His chosen people is going to be extra special. It gives my heart and my face joy just to think about that celebration. I anticipate that Roman officer and his servant will be at that feast also. I pray for those Israelites who were originally chosen—for whom the Kingdom was prepared—that they would choose to know Jesus as their personal Messiah. I don’t want any of them to be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Such sadness. An eternity of rejection and loneliness.  Please pray for them. No one should have to endure eternity without God. 

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, please reveal Yourself to the Israeli people that they would know You as their Messiah. They are so blessed to have been chosen—may they know You as their Savior, Redeemer and Friend.

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 23-27 

© 2017 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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