A Simple Request

Scripture – Matthew 8:10-13: ¹⁰When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. ¹¹I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. ¹²But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” ¹³Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) One lesson from the centurion seems pretty clear to me: Sometimes people outside the church demonstrate more faith in Christ than those of us on the inside. I don’t understand the business about subjects of the kingdom being thrown outside into the darkness. I do understand the centurion came to Jesus, expecting Him to keep His word. And so the servant was healed.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) Often – more often than I care to admit – I ask Jesus to do things I really don’t think He will do. Or I tell Him how I want my request answered, and even give Him some ideas as to how He might meet my need. I will continue practicing simple trust and faith. I will ask Jesus to do some specific things – to meet specific concerns.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, please hear my prayers. And open my mind and heart to trust you to respond. Give me the simple faith of this centurion. You know what I’m asking today.