Day 18: February 14

Scripture Reading
Matthew 8:1-13
 
SCRIPTURE
8:1- Large crowds followed Jesus.
8:3- And Jesus  stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
8:13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
 
OBSERVATION
Matthew records the Sermon on the Mount and then proceeds to tell us that large crowds were following Jesus.   
 
There are 2 instances of healing in this passage.  One was a leper and the other a servant of a Roman officer.
 
Lepers were outcasts who carried an infectious bacterial disease.  They were needy, desperate people with no hope of healing. This leper must have heard about Jesus and the hope he provided so many.  He came broken, hurting, alone, and quite probably carrying shame and he approached Jesus, falling on his knees before him with faith, courage, and boldness. He not only presented his request of healing but the falling on his knees before Jesus indicates humble worship.  He knew who Jesus was!
 
Jesus TOUCHED the leper in verse 3.  He could have just spoken the word from the six-foot required distance but it says He TOUCHED him.  The only thing Jesus required of him was to go to the priest and give public testimony.
 
On to the Roman centurion… Rome occupied Israel at this time.  The Jews has a reason to feel contempt for the oppressive Roman government.  This centurion was a local representation of that government.  Interesting that he approached Jesus with a need--not of his own or his family, but of his servant.  He could have put the servant out of his household or even had him killed once he was of no use to him, but instead he compassionately comes to Jesus and PLEADED with him on behalf of his servant.  It seems He also had heard of Jesus and His miracles.  He approached Jesus in humility pleading on behalf of his servant.  Jesus didn’t care that the Romans were held in contempt.  He responded very succinctly in the affirmative.  But the officer again with humility and a faith that certainly surpasses mine- tells him to just speak the word. He recognized the authority of Jesus.  Jesus was AMAZED by this man’s faith in His authority. He turned to the crowd and praised the man’s faith. And indeed Jesus heals the servant.  
 
APPLICATION
These two men who approached Jesus had faith and courage to approach even though their status (a leper and a Roman) would have given Jesus reason to ignore their needs.  
I can look at this 2 ways:

•  I need to keep my heart and my life open to those around me who society tells me are not worthy of my time and energy.  To make time for the people who are hopeless and hurting.
•  God in his infinite love for us is gracious and kind.  He wants us to come to him with our needs in faith.  Our Holy God works on our behalf even though we are sinful wretches as the song says.  He longs for a relationship with us; for us to call on Him in our need before we turn anywhere else.  He is pleased when we come to him in humble faith and present our requests to him.  

 
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your kindness and compassion on all of us!  Help me to see people with your eyes, to value them by giving them my love, time, and attention.  Convict me and correct me quickly when I see people as less than me.  And help me to remember to turn to you in my time of need, to not try to handle my own problems in my own strength.  Help me to maintain a spirit of humility and worship before you.  Amen.