Devotionals for September 25, 2024
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READ
Matthew 8:5-13
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”
Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”
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. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I 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. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”
Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”
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. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I 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. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.
REFLECT
Whom do you lead and whose authority are you under? No matter your station in life or job role, the challenge of following authority is there. You may feel frustrated by how others lead or communicate. The story of the centurion, however, offers a lot of wisdom for you. First and foremost, the centurion—though a man of authority—recognized and honor Jesus as the authority of all authorities. In fact, Jesus marveled at the man’s faith. Also, note how the centurion went out of his way and humbled himself for the sake of his sick servant. Now this is a person I could work for! So, whether you’re managing adults (or children), or whether you’re following someone else, Jesus is your ultimate authority and model for how to live.
APPLY
Q: Why does the centurion feel he doesn’t deserve to have Jesus at his home? What does this reveal about the man’s heart?
Q: Do you believe Jesus can work miracles in your workplace interactions and relationships at home? Pray for God to give you wisdom and faith in His goodness as you tackle your job today.
Q: Who’s rubbing you the wrong way at work or at home? How can you turn your eyes to Jesus and be compassionate with them like the centurion was with his servant?
Q: Do you believe Jesus can work miracles in your workplace interactions and relationships at home? Pray for God to give you wisdom and faith in His goodness as you tackle your job today.
Q: Who’s rubbing you the wrong way at work or at home? How can you turn your eyes to Jesus and be compassionate with them like the centurion was with his servant?
SING
PRAY
"Give us today our daily bread."
Lord, thank you for being all I need! Father, you have lavished grace and mercy on me, and I believe you hold the world in your hands. Help me to be gracious and humble with others today. I am a person under your authority and your rule. Amen.
Lord, thank you for being all I need! Father, you have lavished grace and mercy on me, and I believe you hold the world in your hands. Help me to be gracious and humble with others today. I am a person under your authority and your rule. Amen.