Daily Devotion, March 9, 2020

Devotion:

Read Matthew 8:5-13.

We should never become so accustomed to Bible passages that we fail to be shocked or at least surprised by their meaning in the original setting or context. Roman centurions are usually seen in a positive light in the New Testament, but the Jewish people would have resented or even hated them. Centurions commanded one hundred soldiers and were the backbone of the Roman army, which occupied and controlled Palestine in the time of Christ. And to make matters worse for Jews, Romans were considered to be unclean Gentiles.

Clearly, Jesus saw some notable things in this centurion, who seemed to have pity and compassion for his paralyzed and suffering slave. Upon seeing this compassion and with no regard for their cultural and political differences, Jesus offered to go to the centurion’s house and heal the servant. The centurion reacted with both cultural sensitivity and faith. A Jew entering the home of a Gentile would become unclean, and the centurion wished to protect Jesus from this. Pointing to his own power of rank, he showed tremendous faith by declaring that Jesus’ power was such that he could heal the slave from a distance. Faith is faith, even in supposed enemies, and Jesus healed the servant. 

Personal Worship Option:

Reflect on our passage for today and what it might mean for us today. Are there people you or the church are not walking among? Pray for courage to walk with those who are considered to be off limits, asking Christ to walk with you.