A Simple Story with Spiritual lessons
Matthew 8:5-13
* Jesus was a master story-teller. In fact, some of His greatest stories are called ‘parables’ which simply defined is, ‘an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.’ Yet, the greatest stories we can read and know are like the one we just read.
* For context consider this, at the end of Chapter 7 Jesus concludes the “Sermon on the Mount”, comes down off the mountain &, in the words of David Murrow, completes the first stage of His earthly life as a man. This stage is the “Journey of Submission.” As chapter 8 begins, He walks the second stage which is the “Journey of Strength”. On this leg of the journey, Jesus demonstrates for all men the concept of HOW TO BE A MAN! Chapter 8 opens with Him being confronted by a case of leprosy – and the disease lost. Now, He’s being confronted with another disease – paralysis. However, this time the story is a bit more complicated as there are many lessons to see and learn from this encounter.
* Let’s begin with the setting. Scripture tells us this was in Capernaum which is located on the NW corner of the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum was a bustling town on a trade route. Additionally, there was a military presence there as noted from this man’s title “Centurion”. Having lived in military towns for much of my adult life, I can say, that military town are difference than other places. Candidly, a military town is a ‘happening place’. There are always new folks moving in, new businesses starting up, and some of the greatest people on earth are those (and their families) who have committed to serve their country. It was in this time of community that this encounter took place. Watch how it developed and then, join me, in learning some not-so-apparent lessons from this story.
1. An Unexpected Approach – Scripture says that it was in Capernaum that a ‘Centurion’ came to Jesus. Never forget that a Centurion a Roman officer and was in charge of 100 men (and staff). He was accustomed to people obeying him. In the military obedience is crucial or you may die. He didn’t have to repeat himself or ever beg someone to respond & yet here he is, ‘pleading’ with Jesus. Think about this, a Roman officer --pleading. KJV renders this ‘beseeching’ while the original language means to call, invoke, or implore. Candidly, the construction of the word leads one to believe this was an animated request. Come. It occurs to me that, too often, we wait until things get desperate before we animated before the Lord asking, begging, and pleading for His help.
* By the way, this Roman Officer seems to be appreciated among people in Capernaum. In Luke 7 we are told he “loved Israel & has invested in us.”
\* And now, here is this Centurion – standing in front of the one to whom the Roman Government hated and pleading for the healing of a servant. This Officer didn’t come on behalf of himself, a sick wife, or a dying child; he was there on behalf of a servant. Perhaps this speaks to the servant’s importance or maybe to the Centurion’s heart, but one thing is for sure; few people would have expected this from Him. Yet, there he stood.
* Consider a couple of questions: When troubles hit you in the face, would people be surprised to see you standing in front of Jesus asking for help? Would this be expected of you or expected? What about when troubles come to those around you? Would you or do you come to Jesus with those people’s need? And if so, how much faith & trust do you have?
2. An Undesired Affliction – (I guess this could be argued – ‘as opposed to a ‘desired affliction?’’) Simply to read about the words about this servant strikes fear in the hearts of healthy people. Paralysis is a horrendous affliction. In 1974, as a minister of music I would come into my office each morning, grab my clarinet (which was no good on) and play a scale, a hymn, a chorus, or something. This was just to help me remember how to play the thing. I will never forget the morning I put the instrument to my mouth and the right side of my mouth would not work. The diagnosis was ‘bell’s palsy’. The paralysis was frightening and that was just in the face. This servant had more than facial paralysis and needed healing.
* While meditating over this servant’s dilemma, it occurred some of the many ways we can experience paralysis. First, there is physical paralysis. The reasons can be disease, injury, birth defect, and even stroke. The cause doesn’t matter because EVERY ISSUE of PARALYSIS is major. This means that the victim is not able to perform the physical things which they would want and enjoy. Next, there is social paralysis. Have you ever met someone who has deep issues with being social? I’m not talking about simple ‘shyness’, certainly that carries some personal issues, but rather, I’m speaking of the person who, for one reason or another, CANNOT function in any societal encounter. The experts tell us that several emotional conditions contribute to this (I.E. depression, bipolar, & the like) Next, there is emotional paralysis. This is the person who has problems forming new relationship (& keeping up with long-term relationships) Perhaps they have been abandoned, abused, or even assaulted, but whatever happened they are now functioning in their own little private world. Finally, I suggest there is spiritual paralysis. This one can be from lack of exercise & activity. We are told to train, exercise, & stay active in our spiritual life, when we don’t, we become lethargic.
\* No matter how you slice it or what type of paralysis you have, this is a debilitating & undesirable condition. I do offer this; if medicine could predict that paralysis and offer us a definitive way to avoid it, we would take that offer EVERY TIME. Yet, God tells us that, in our fallen state, our lives are prone to spiritual paralysis. First, for the unsaved person. This is the person outside of Christ and by nature of his sin, has no real life to exercise. In other words & spiritually speaking, he has a spiritual birth defect and cannot respond spiritually. His starting point is Jesus. Next, for the saved person (this is a HUGE danger) is the real possibility of becoming complacent & indifferent towards the things of God. Listening for God’s voice & seeking His leadership in all things becomes secondary. The effect is the same – paralysis, just like the Centurion’s servant.
3. An Unlikely Acknowledgement - Keep this story in perspective. The Centurion had a servant who was in agony with paralysis. So he comes to Jesus asking for healing, and surprise of all surprises, Jesus says, “I will COME and heal him.” Isn’t this everything that the Centurion could ask for or want? Yet, hear these words spoken to Jesus and marvel at the faith. This Roman Soldier said, “Jesus, I understand your authority because I am a man who lives daily in authority. My bosses in Rome tell me what to do and I tell my men what to do. When I say it, it is done. And here’s what I know – YOU SAY IT and IT WILL BE DONE! There is no need for you to change your plan to come to my house, just speak the words.” In a nutshell, the Centurion admitted that Jesus was sent by God and thus, possessed the authority which could only come from God. He said, “Jesus, speak the word.” Now, don’t get confused. Today in this land, we have the “Speak it, believe it, and have it” preachers & teachers. That is heresy! But to ask Jesus to “SPEAK IT” is to “RECEIVE IT”. This is what the Centurion acknowledged. There is one who speaks and all of heaven and earth responds. We have too few people who acknowledge with their life that Jesus has complete authority.
* Here is a sad truth today; many who wear Christ’s name have more attention on the stock market than the eastern sky, watch the President rather than the KING, and listen for the Government rather than God. Our Lord is the only one with the total and complete authority over this world with its problems, diseases, and good. The Centurion expresses what we needed to be expressed by every people.
4. An Uncommon Answer – Have you ever been bragged on by someone? She a great person, he’s a great ball-player or you are a great artist; are all words which we want to hear. Imagine Jesus bragging on you.
* But think about Jesus saying, “You have more faith than anyone that I have seen.” Yet, this is exactly what Jesus said to a Roman Centurion. I wonder where this centurion was stationed when the Romans Guard crucified the one who healed his servant.
* Jesus changes his mind…initially, Jesus says, “I will come and heal him” and now based on the faith of a Roman Jesus simply says, “He’s healed.” (and he was)….Can this be the secret to unleashing the power of our Lord in the world today? If God is to begin working in a definite supernatural way in this world, will it be because people exhibit and express faith in God like this centurion? Do you have that kind of faith?
