Just Say the Word!

“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.”

                                   Matthew 8:8 NIV

We often use the phrase just say the word—meaning if you say it, I will get it done. But in Matthew 8:8 that statement reveals a beautiful portrait of great faith.

A Roman centurion approached Jesus about his servant who remained “at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering”. Christ replied, “I will go and heal him.” (Matthew 8:6-7) Then the centurion, ruler over 100 men, explained to Christ that he did not deserve to have Christ even come under his roof. “But just say the word,” he said “and my servant will be healed.”

 

Christ responded by speaking to those following Him. “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”  Jesus instructed the centurion to “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.”

I can picture that centurion running home, expecting to find his servant healed and maybe a little confused. I imagine him recounting the story to his children and grandchildren about how Jesus spoke and his servant was made whole, and I wonder how many family members and friends believed in Christ because of the centurion’s testimony.

I’m reminded that, though we may not see Him with our physical eyes, Christ is as accessible to us today as He was to that Roman centurion. All we have to do is speak His name. He is Immanuel—God With Us. He is Jesus the One and Only.

Will we always receive exactly what we ask of the Father through His Son? No! Will we always see an immediate answer? No! Will we be able to name it and claim it? No! But I can promise you this; God’s answer is always for our good. He wants to draw near to you and me, and He wants us to draw near to Him. We do that through His Son—Jesus.

He is waiting for you right now. Just say the word!

© Joyce Powell