Your Sins Are Forgiven

A career Roman soldier, a centurion, came to Jesus asking for help for his slave who was sick and Jesus responded immediately to go with him. Yet, this man judged himself unworthy and said to Jesus in Matthew 8:8 “only say the word and my slave will be healed”. We sometimes set limits on how we will allow God to work and Jesus certainly would have gone without hesitation. Jesus recognizes that there is great faith in this man and commends him for his faith. But Jesus disciples, who were with him every day, who saw miracles happening around them, became fearful that they would perish in a storm. They were with Jesus, how could they perish? When they brought a paralytic to Jesus he said in Matthew 9:2 “Have courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” and he was healed. Jesus not only received all that came to him, but he also demonstrated his authority to forgive sin and heal disease.

Such Great Faith

Matthew 8:5–13
Jesus was approached by a centurion in

Matthew 8:5 Now when he entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him, appealing to him

These were the men responsible for keeping order from day to day as “Commander of 100 men in the Roman army … responsible for his troops at all times … The position of centurion was prestigious and high paying; those who reached that rank usually made a career of it.”¹ So, as a military man, he would not normally have any dealings with Jesus except that, even as a soldier, he was a compassionate man and sought help for his slave in

Matthew 8:6 and saying, “Lord, my slave is lying paralyzed in my house, terribly tormented!”

Jesus didn’t pause for a moment and agreed to come with him to heal him in Matthew 8:7 but the centurion said “I am not worthy” in Matthew 8:8. This man knew his own history and he honored Jesus and though Jesus had no such hindering thoughts, the centurion judged himself unworthy and many fall into this trap, this deceit of the evil one who would keep us separated from the love of God. But this centurion would not allow his own sin to prevent help for his servant and he said to Jesus in

Matthew 8:8b–9 But only say the word and my slave will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority who has soldiers under me, and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another one, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”

Jesus marveled at this man, who judged himself unworthy, yet, he, above all in Israel, believed God in

Matthew 8:10 Now when Jesus heard this, he was astonished, and said to those who were following him, “Truly I say to you, I have found such great faith with no one in Israel.

He Healed All Those Who Were Sick

Matthew 8:14–17

I Will Follow You

Matthew 8:18–22

We Are Perishing

Matthew 8:23–27
Jesus had been followed “by many crowds” in Matthew 8:18 and headed off in a boat to the Sea of Galilee with his disciples. Peter and Andrew and James and John had been fishermen so were seasoned mates so Jesus laid himself down and fell asleep in

Matthew 8:24 And behold, a great storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being inundated by the waves, but he himself was asleep.

When the bible says it was a “great storm” it must have been because even these men that had made their living in boats were panicking in

Matthew 8:25 And they came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us!* We are perishing!”

Jesus was surprised that they were so fearful and “rebuked the winds” in

Matthew 8:26 And he said to them, “Why are you fearful, you of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea and there was a great calm.

How often do we react to circumstances rather than speaking God’s word and trusting God to deliver us in every situation.

What Do You Have To Do With Us

Matthew 8:28–29

The Whole Town Came Out

Matthew 8:30–34