Take God At His Word

Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him pleading with Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”

And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”

The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed, for I am a man under authority…

When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!


Obviously, this Roman centurion had heard of Jesus, probably had heard Him speak and was convinced that Jesus was a man of great spiritual authority. The centurion had great faith because he understood Jesus’ words had authority over sickness and disease. Not only did he understand and believe, the centurion was willing to act on what he understood Jesus could do!

The centurion didn’t approach Jesus and say, “Jesus, I need You to come to my house. If my servant is going to get well, you need to personally lay your hand on him for him to recover.” No, he just said, “You speak the Word, Jesus, and I’ll take that Word and act on it!” The reaction Jesus had must have been one of amazement and delight because this Roman’s faith in His word was so confident that he didn’t feel Jesus’ physical presence was necessary. No one, not even a Jew, had been as full of faith and confidence as to ask Jesus to just speak the Word!

So how did Jesus respond to this centurion’s faith? He said, “Go your way, and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour. The centurion didn’t need a special manifestation or special feeling. He just heard the incorruptible seed of Jesus’ words and said, “I believe what You say.” And when the centurion heard Jesus say, “Go your way…” the centurion knew it was done! As soon as he turned his back to Jesus and started walking home, that was his faith in action. He didn’t question Jesus, he didn’t want to know how long or in what fashion his servant would be healed. He just turned on his heel and headed home believing it was done!

That’s what God expects us to do. He doesn’t expect us to wait for some special manifestation, even thought that may happen at times. God expects us to simply take Him at His Word, believe we receive His promises and boldly act on them in faith. Remember, faith is putting legs on what you believe.

Confession: Jesus responds to faith. The servant was healed because the centurion believed the words Jesus spoke would come to pass. I am healed because I believe God’s healing promises will come to pass in me!