I Will Come And Heal Him

New Years Message, 2006

 

The healing of the Centurion servant's is one of the most beautiful stories and picture of redemption found in the Word of God. All of humanity is "sick" with the curse of sin. As a result of this curse the pain and suffering in our world grows with each passing day. Humanism offers the world solutions based upon human endeavors and works. Sadly, the church has bought into the same lie thinking that it can offer the world healing through its programs, self-help seminars and messages that place man in the center of things and not the Cross of Christ. There is only ONE source for the healing of ALL man's infirmities and that is the blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the Cross of Calvary 2,000 years ago. A hurting world seeks healing; a loving Savior proclaims, "I will come and heal Him." It's our only hope to find redemption, mercy and Grace and ultimately eternal life.

 

By Chris McDonald

 

 

 

TEXT: Matthew 8:5-13 - And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, [6] And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. [7] And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. [8] The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. [9] For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. [10] When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. [10] When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. [11] And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. [12] But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [13] And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
 

       The story of the healing of the Centurion's servant provides us with great hope and a somber warning about the results of faith and the consequences of unbelief. This great miracle of Christ took place in Capernaum. Nahum's town, a Galilean city frequently mentioned in the history of our Lord. It is not mentioned in the Old Testament. After our Lord's expulsion from Nazareth (Matt. 4:13-16; Luke 4:16-31), Capernaum became his "own city." It was the scene of many acts and incidents of his life (Matt. 8:5, 14, 15; 9:2-6, 10-17; 15:1-20; Mark 1:32-34, etc.). The impenitence and unbelief of its inhabitants after the many evidences our Lord gave among them of the truth of his mission, brought down upon them a heavy denunciation of judgment (Matt. 11:23) which in essence is the same judgment on ALL who fail to believe and repent!


      Capernaum stood on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. The "land of Gennesaret," near, if not in, which it was situated, was one of the most prosperous and crowded districts of Palestine. This city lay on the great highway from Damascus to Acco and Tyre. It has been identified with Tell Hum, about two miles south-west of where the Jordan flows into the lake. Here are extensive ruins of walls and foundations, and also the remains of what must have been a beautiful synagogue, which it is conjectured may have been the one built by the centurion (Luke 7:5), in which our Lord frequently taught (John 6:59; Mark 1:21; Luke 4:33). Others have conjectured that the ruins of the city are to be found at Khan Minyeh, some three miles further to the south on the shore of the lake. "If Tell Hum be Capernaum, the remains spoken of are without doubt the ruins of the synagogue built by the Roman centurion, and one of the most sacred places on earth. It was in this building that our Lord gave the well-known discourse in John 6; and it was not without a certain strange feeling that on turning over a large block we found the pot of manna engraved on its face, and remembered the words, 'I am that bread of life: your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.'", (The Recovery of Jerusalem.)

 

        It is no mistake the Holy Spirit records the account of this great miracle comes at the beginning of Matthew's gospel. Bible scholars point to Matthew as the gospel writer who portrays Christ as THE KING, Mark, the writer portrays Christ as the Suffering Servant, Luke, portrays Him the Son of Man, and John, portrays Christ as the SON OF GOD. All four gospel accounts of Christ's life on Earth are inspired by the Holy Ghost. The story recorded here is set amidst Israel's great unbelief as a nation compared with the deep faith of one humble Centurion who recognized Christ's authority and grace. And oh, what grace and authority there is in JESUS!

 

        Despite Israel's unbelief, this story shows us that Jesus is definitely the Messiah, the son of the Living God! (Matthew 8:13). He has the Messianic power to receive men (Matthew 8:10-11) and to reject men (Matthew 8:12). He can receive any man who truly trusts Him, no matter how far away the man may be or how many barriers may seem to stand in the way. As the same Messiah and Son of God, He also has the power to judge the unbelieving (Matthew 8:12), which happened to Israel as a nation.
 

        This is a story of how the Lord overcomes and  span every conceivable barrier. ALL barriers mankind may put up to bring healing. If man will just believe He is Who He says He is - Man will be healed! Jesus possesses the power to receive any man, regardless of the barrier.


a. The ideological barrier: the centurion was a man rejected, despised, and hated by the Jews; yet Jesus could reach him and meet his need. He had the power to span and to overcome the ideas and prejudices that divided man against man, neighbor against neighbor, race against race, nation against nation, employee against employer, child against parent, wife against husband.
b. The physical barriers: the centurion’s servant was desperately ill and some miles away, yet Jesus could reach the servant. His power could span all the physical barriers, no matter how far away or how severe the condition.
c. The spiritual barrier: the centurion was a Gentile, considered by the Jews to be lost spiritually, an alien and an enemy to the people of God. But Jesus had the power to reach the man, to pierce the spiritual barriers of his soul and save him. Jesus can reach the soul of any man who will believe in Him, no matter how lost or how alien or how much of an enemy to God he has been.

 

        Jesus still spans ALL barriers today as well! He has not changed, Praise God. No matter the race; no matter the national origin; no matter the social class; no matter the depth of sin or the power of darkness controlling an individual - JESUS CHRIST CAN SET THE CAPTIVE FREE!


        Secondly, (and this should serve as a warning to the modern church), He rejects any man, even those who professed to be children of the kingdom, that is, the religious (Matthew 8:12), who refuse to believe! His rejection is not His choosing, but the individuals! Christ receives ALL who will come to Him!

 

Matthew 8:12-13
But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [13] And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

        This miracle, as stated before, was done at Capernaum, where Christ now dwelt.

 

Matthew 4:13
And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:

         Christ went about doing good, and came home to do good too; every place he came to was the better for him. And every life that He visits and changes is NEVER the same again, Praise God. Jesus would in a latter setting pronounce judgment on Capernaum for its unbelief in HIM despite the mighty works He did, this being one of the greatest. In doing so, He in essence was pronouncing the judgment on ALL who refuse to believe. Neighbor, that is a sobering thought as we enter a New Year. How sad is the sickening unbelief of the church world today! How grotesque is the unbelief and hardness of heart of the American church, which is so blessed, so rich, so increased with physical goods, yet so wretched, poor, miserable and blind! How said to think of Israel so long ago with the LIGHT OF GLORY in their midst yet the very ones called to be the "children of the kingdom" (the religious) outright rejected Him without a thought for the consequences of such.

 

Matthew 11:20-24 - Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: [21] Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. [22] But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. [23] And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. [24] But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

 

        Men today do the same thing. So many live flippantly without thought of eternity! It is appointed men ONCE to die and THEN the judgment! No amount of money, no amount of education, no amount of social standing or prestige in the community can stop you and I from that appointed day! No excuse will be accepted that day when we ALL stand before God -either at the Judgment Seat of Christ for the believer, or the Great White Throne Judgment for the sinner. Let that sink in. Capernaum was one of the wealthiest cities on the face of the earth at the time of this miracle, yet Jesus at a later date would decree destruction because of it's pride! He would say "Capernaum, you are cast down to hell!"  What a statement. What power behind that statement and eternal consequence rejected by most standing by and seeing this Centurion cry for help for his son's torments.

 

There Came A Centurion Beseeching Him.....

 

Matthew 8:5 - And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,.....

 

        This Centurion was a Roman Captain with over 100 men under his care. The term "beseeching," means he came requesting Jesus, begging HIM to come heal his servant who was home "sick of the palsy, grievously tormented." The centurion was a Gentile and a Roman officer, yet he came to a Jew for help. He probably was a commander-in-chief of that part of the Roman army which was quartered at Capernaum, and kept a garrison there. Though he was a soldier, he was apparently a very godly man. Approaching a Jew was socially unacceptable and unheard of for a Gentile, but being an officer of Rome made it worse. Jesus knew that the centurion had great courage and humility to approach Him for help. And though he was a Roman soldier, and his very dwelling among the Jews was a badge of their subjection to the Roman yoke, yet Christ, who was King of the Jews, favored him; and therein taught us that when we humble ourselves and admit our NEED for HIM - HE WILL COME AND HEAL US! This was what made the Roman soldier's faith "great." It was not that the Centurion could move mountains with his legions - it was that with a humble heart he recognized Christ as the Son of God, the Messiah of Israel!

 

        Isaiah has proclaimed the Lord would be a "light to the Gentiles." Simeon had repeated those sentiments at the Lord's birth. Now those words were about to be fulfilled in a measure that would ultimately open the door to ALL Gentiles who would believe in Israel's King. We were "grafted in" to this great salvation. Jesus came not only to cleanse Israel, but to liberate the Gentile as well.

         It was the land of Canaan that was Immanuel's land, yet He receives addresses from Gentiles; Simeon's word began to be fulfilled in this great discourse, that He should be a light to lighten the Gentiles, as well as the glory of His people, Israel. Earlier in this same passage, Matthew recorded the healing of lepers by this same glorious Christ! Thus, in annexing this cure to that of the leper, Matthew, who was a Jew, intimates this - the leprous Jews Christ touched and cured, for he preached personally to them; but the paralytic Gentiles he cured at a distance; for to them he did not go in person, but sent his word and healed them; yet in them he was more magnified. (Henry).

 

        The centurion came to Jesus calling Him "Lord," recognizing Him as the One who could meet his need. He knew and confessed that he had a need, a need that other men could not meet. Knowing and confessing are both essential when a person really wants a need to be met. He knew where to go and to whom to go in order to have his need met. He was willing to do all he could to have his need met. He then trusted Jesus to satisfy his need. Remember this friend. It's not the haughtiness of our "confession" that brings Christ on the scene, but the sincerity and humility of our hearts!

 

        Many in the Word of Faith camps repeat formulas and claim healing and all other things in the name of a religious formula. Pride is generated in the hearts of many with this attitude! The Lord RESISTS the proud, but gives GRACE to the humble! He is NIGH to them who of a broken heart, not those who are of a boastful heart and arrogant! Yet, the modern church REEKS of this arrogant, self-righteous spirit!

        JESUS is the SOURCE of where we must have our needs met! HE is ALL we need friend! This is not a cliché' or a  religious slogan - it's what keeps eternity in place! HE is the reason we BREATHE and LIVE! JESUS, JESUS, JESUS! He can set the captive free. The answer to the alcoholic's sin is not AA meetings - it's an encounter with the Risen CHRIST! The answer to the drug addict's addiction is not a church support group - as important and probably helpful as that may be - it's an encounter with the Risen CHRIST! The answer to the pathological liar is not therapy - it's an ENCOUNTER, a ONE ON ONE experience with the Lord Jesus Christ. It's that individual being BORN AGAIN by the SPIRIT OF GOD, being changed from within, and as the Holy Spirit works in that life, being changed from without! When this Centurion, said "LORD," he was in essence saying, "I have no hope but Jesus!" When this Centurion, said, "LORD," he was in essence saying, Buddha can't save or heal!; Mohammed can't save or heal!; Joseph Smith can't save or heal!; the Baptist Church can't save or heal; the Assemblies of God can't save or heal; the Church of God can't save or heal;

 

        I'm going to meddle with you now. When the Centurion said, "LORD," he was saying, "the government of 12 and the purpose driven life can't save or heal!" He was saying his church 'support' group cannot save or heal; humanistic psychology and all its 'children' and subsequent programs - CAN'T HEAL OR SAVE! There is NO other name under heaven whereby men must be SAVED or HEALED and that is the name above ALL names -the LORD JESUS CHRIST. We preach CHRIST CRUCIFIED! We preach JESUS! Jesus saves, Jesus heals, Jesus baptizes in the HOLY GHOST, and JESUS is coming again! There is no other message that can save and set men free. No other name but the name of Jesus! No other FOUNT other than the blood of Jesus that breaks both the power and the penalty of sin over our lives. He came to DESTROY the works of Satan!

 

        It takes a confession of NEED and then a confession of FAITH to save one's soul. Man must ADMIT he is a sinner and in need before Christ will answer. When we confess our sins then HE comes and HEALS US! Most, just like Israel as a nation, miss this healing because of our own pride and insolence. The Holy Spirit through Paul confirms this as it relates to salvation:

 

Romans 10:8-10 - But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; [9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
 

        When we confess, we then MUST BELIEVE! And believing is not just believing in abstract facts about something. Our faith must be ROOTED and grounded in the TRUTH of Christ and Him Crucified! Our faith must REST in the finished work of Christ and be at rest in HIM and what he has done for us.

 

"Sick of the Palsy, And Grievously Tormented."

 

Matthew 8:6 - And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, [6] And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented...........

 

        The Centurion tells Jesus his servant is "sick of the palsy and grievously tormented." That is the state of the sinner today without Christ - "grievously tormented." Mankind wanders in an earthly hell tormented by the demons that afflict his soul. The powers of darkness leave many lost and not having a clue or prayer as to how to obtain peace and rest from this torment. FEAR has torment! And sin always brings FEAR!

 

1 John 4:16-21 -And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. [17] Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. [18] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. [19] We love him, because he first loved us. [20] If a man say, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? [21] And this commandment have we from him, That he who loves God love his brother also.
 

        Sin is the problem with the human condition and ALL external problems mankind encounters and has comes from one root cause - SIN! Sin is more than just a surface problem or an act of the flesh - it's a SOUL problem. It has a power to it - called the "sin nature" that is part of every single human being - from the smallest infant to the oldest person on earth. ALL ARE ALIKE in that we are born in sin! We have never experienced a time in history when so many are experiencing mental and emotional disorders! Millions are in torment! Millions have phobias that cause their lives to not function properly. The psychiatrists have to love it because their business has never been busier. But friend, the psychiatrists don't have the answer! Psychology don't have the answer to man's ill. Man's problem is SPIRITUAL, not psychological. Tormented souls need deliverance not a shrink! The shrink sitting behind his/her desk to listen to one tormented soul is in many cases just as tormented as the people they are trying to help. My statement is not to slam the effort being made by someone to help someone else but to make you realize today one sinner cannot set another sinner free! Man's PROBLEM IS SIN!

 

        That is why one can't just 'wash' away sin through humanistic means. You can't buy your way out of your condition with money. You can't get yourself out of this torment through education. You can't maneuver your way out of this through your name, prestige or position in life. This Centurion was one of the most powerful men probably in Rome, but he recognized this tormenting spirit clinging to his servant was bigger than anything he could change. Modern humanity would be wise to learn this lesson!

 

         We can't just "utter" psycho mumbo jumbo over a person bound with alcohol and expect them to be free. (That person doing the uttering is just as bound by the power of sin as the drunk but don't realize it more than likely.) The poor drunk though many times embraces this deception thinking they will see change in their lives only to see the power of sin bring them into deeper bondage and despair. This leads to frustration causing many to just give up the fight. This happens because the church world does not understand the power of the sin anymore. We mock at in through the flippancy of our preaching. We make jokes about people's condition but friend, GOD ISN'T LAUGHING! These are eternal matters and if the poor soul does not get victory and deliverance they stand in jeopardy of losing their eternal soul, winding up in the place of ultimate TORMENT - Hell!

 

         I've said this many times but man is MORE lost than he could ever realize and more saved when he comes to Christ than most Christians ever grasp. This is a GREAT Salvation because when we cry out for help and ask the Lord to come with a humble heart - HE WILL COME AND HEAL US! My Lord, my Lord I feel that. HE will come and heal us. His response to the centurion was "I WILL!" His response to you and I today is "I WILL!"

 

I Will Come and Heal Him

 

Matthew 8:7a - And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.......

 

        Jesus says, "I will come and Heal Him." What a statement. What power behind those words for all eternity and for all who will come! The emphasis on what Jesus said here is not on the coming but instead on the ONE WHO is coming! The "I" is emphatic meaning "I can and I will!" It settles the question of both spiritual and divine physical healing! It is the Lord Himself who would meet this need and it is the LORD HIMSELF who meets our needs today - no one or nothing else! No church can heal you friend! No support group can heal you neighbor. No denomination can heal you! No 'government of 12' cell can heal you. Only Jesus, only Jesus, only Jesus. The message for 2006? ONLY JESUS CAN HEAL YOU AND SET YOU FREE!

 

        Friend, He will COME and HEAL your broken marriage. He will come and HEAL your broken heart. He will come and HEAL a sin-sick soul. He will come and HEAL the bruised life experienced by abuse and molestation. He will come and HEAL the loneliness and the despair sin brings. Some of you reading this right now feel so alone that thoughts of suicide have crept in at times because of the loneliness. Neighbor, HE WILL COME AND HEAL YOU! He will come and bring HOPE for the heart filled with despair. He will come and HEAL that which is torn apart by Satan, sin and the flesh. He will come and HEAL the devastation brought on by man's fallen condition! ONLY JESUS can do that.

 

        I'm talking about something greater than physical healing - I'm talking about SPIRITUAL healing. I'm talking about a healing of the SOUL which in reality is MOST important. We don't lessen the message of divine physical healing. We believe that in the atonement of Christ there is HEALING for our physical sickness. We don't doubt that. But many times people pray and pray and pray for physical healing without results wandering why. Entire movements and ministries in the church world today focus on physical wellness instead of focusing on SPIRITUAL wellness! Friend, if the SOUL is sick, it doesn't matter how well you are PHYSICALLY! I'd rather be saved and be sick in my body than be well in my body and be LOST! That was what Jesus said in Matthew when talking about the results of sin and the consequences of eternity!

 

Matthew 5:28-30- But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. [29] And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. [30] And if thy right hand offend thee, cut if off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
 

        Jesus’ response to the centurion’s cry for help declare that He will span and overcome all barriers and divisions of men to meet YOUR need. He will meet the need of anyone who truly trusts Him: master or servant, noble or common, parent or child, rich or poor, man or woman, sinner or saint, doomed or saved, helpless or capable, hopeless or assured. Jesus has no favorites. He does not favor one person over another. And He will answer YOU today if you will but call on HIM!

 

        The greatest of men must approach Jesus begging, totally dependent upon Him. There is no other way. Position, power, fame, wealth, and social acceptability must be laid aside. Our thoughts cannot be focused on self and social acceptability, but only upon Christ and His power if we wish Him to meet our need. Our thoughts—what our minds are upon—reveal the sincerity of our hearts when approaching Jesus. If our thoughts are focused on self we will always seek the approval and acceptance of others instead of God. The means our sincerity is lacking and at the best, weak. Jesus knows we care more for this world than for Him. He knows the truth about us more than we do! We must have a sincere heart when we approach Him. He is aware of our weakness but our effort must be true.

 

I Am Not Worthy.......

 

Matthew 5:8-10- The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. [9] For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. [10] When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

 

        Jesus’ power was aroused by several events in this story. One, He was moved by the centurion’s sense of unworthiness. The centurion did not say, “My servant is not worthy to have you come”; but he said, “I am not worthy.” A sense of personal unworthiness gripped him. Those who embrace the Cross of Christ and understand what Jesus did for us will see themselves as unworthy of God's wonderful grace, yet rejoice in the fact He has given it to us freely! People who know the cross seldom judge others for this reason.  There is no room for boasting and pride when we stand at Calvary. NO FLESH can glory in the presence of the instrument of death. We must deny ourselves and come to Christ. There is only one way to God and that is through Jesus. There is only one way to Jesus and that is through the cross and denying one's self and placing our faith in what He did there. We can not just believe Jesus was a miracle worker, we must embrace HIS DEATH so that, as HE lives, SO WE MAY LIVE ALSO!

        In this discourse, socially, the greater proclaimed his inferiority to the lesser. Society considered the centurion greater than the poor preacher from Nazareth. But the centurion humbly confessed a deep unworthiness before Christ. He saw something of God in Christ, something that caused him to humble himself before Christ. Those who truly have believed see the same thing. We see value in every man, the value that God puts upon even the poorest and unacceptable. We are to humble ourselves before all, no matter how it may hurt.

 

Philip. 2:3-4
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. [4] Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

        Jesus’ power was also aroused by the centurion’s love—his love for a slave. The centurion was pouring out his heart for another person, a type of the ministry we engage when we come into intercessory prayer for others! In the eyes of society the person should have been meaningless to him, yet the man meant much to him. He loved this meaningless person, this slave. What a lesson for us! The great need is for intercessory prayer and love for all, no matter who they are and what others may think!

        The believer is to love. He is not only to love those close to him, but he is to love all. The centurion loved a slave. Our love can be measured by the centurion’s love. How much do we carry the needs of our loved ones to the Lord? How much do we carry the needs of slaves, those alien to us, to the Lord? How much do we look after and care for those of our own household, whether aged and disabled parents or children or spouse. Great faith always is rooted in great love without hypocrisy! Love abhors that which is evil, clings to that which is good. Love does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in TRUTH. It does not envy and become jealous when our brother is blessed more than we. It sincerely rejoices inwardly at the GOOD of others, not the destruction! Even our enemies must receive this love!

 

        I remember hearing a testimony recently of a man who had a hard time praying for someone who had vowed to "destroy him." He went before the Lord and the Lord told him to pray for this man asking "for the same grace I give to you to be given to him!" That will change your prayer life friend! That will keep unforgiveness out! When we see ourselves in need of this grace of healing, it's hard to wish for others to be refused!

 

Speak The Word Only

 

Matthew 5:8-10 - The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. [9] For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. [10] When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

 

        Israel clamored after Jesus time and time again for a "SIGN." This humble Centurion said, "Lord, I don't need a sign, I need a WORD." SPEAK THE WORD, SPEAK THE WORD, SPEAK THE WORD only, Lord, and HE WILL BE HEALED. My Lord, do you feel the power in those words? Do you feel the eternal heavens shake with power at this request??? It was through the WORD OF GOD the heavens were created and formed! It was the WORD OF GOD that JESUS breathed into existence our very being. Yet, when it came to man's redemption, God could not just 'speak' that into existence. He had to shed blood, innocent blood, for man to be saved. And that He did, freely, lovingly and without thought of return. Oh, what a Savior! Oh, Hallelujah! His heart was broken on Calvary, that we may be free and HEALED today! No matter He had given Israel a sign, they refused to believe. The Centurion believed that just a word from Jesus would do it! That's FAITH!

 

        Jesus called it "GREAT faith," and His power was and is always aroused by such! The question is though what made his faith "great?" The centurion believed in the great power of Jesus to span and to overcome all barriers—even the barrier of space and time. The centurion’s faith was great because as a soldier of Rome, the conquering nation, this man recognized something larger than temporal gratification. He recognized Christ as being the SAVIOR of the world. He in essence had placed his faith in the coming sacrifice of our Lord on the cross. And that friend is what makes OUR FAITH great today. It's not faith in formulas, creeds, doctrines, groups, churches or movements. It's faith in CHRIST and Him CRUCIFIED! Faith in the Cross means we have faith that JESUS supersedes ALL space and time and the physical corruption of disease (cp. Jeremiah 23:23-24)

 

Jeremiah 23:23-24
Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? [24] Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.

 

        Jesus’ great power was aroused to embrace believers of every nationality, not just Israel.  Jesus opened His heart and arms and embraced this centurion, despite the fact that the man was despised and rejected as a Gentile. (Imagine. He was not just a Gentile, but a Roman and a soldier, a citizen and soldier of the nation that enslaved the Jews.) Jesus not only received the centurion, He commended him for his faith. In embracing this centurion, He embraced the whole world!

 

John 3:16-17  - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
 

"So Great A Faith, No, Not In Israel"

 

Matthew 5:9-10 - When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. [10] When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

 

        It's interesting to see the Lord's emotion over faith: He marveled. This story records one of only two times Jesus marveled; the "faith" of this Gentile and the "unbelief of the Jews."

 

Matthew 8:10  - When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

Mark 6:6  - And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
 

        The Lord knew the Gentiles would accept Him, while His own, Israel, would not. This had to hurt His heart as He stood there that day looking at a humble Roman soldier. It caused Him to blurt out that He shall embrace all who come by faith, no matter who they are or from where they come. He would declare later in wonderment whether when He returned if He would find "true faith" on the Earth! That question is a great question today in light of all the false religion and doctrine sweeping millions away in the Body of Christ. There is only ONE FAITH and that is FAITH IN CHRIST and HIM CRUCIFIED!

 

        True belief is a rare thing. Not many believe, yet belief in Jesus Christ is one of the greatest qualities of human life—a quality ignored, neglected, and in some cases denied.  It's hard for sinful man to repent and believe that Jesus is the Son of God. That's why Paul said, "not many mighty, not many noble," are called! There are times when recognition and commendation are to be given.

 

        What Jesus is after is faith. But not just faith in abstract ideas or events. He's looking for FAITH in what HE has DONE at the CROSS! When we exhibit that, the HOLY SPIRIT comes and sets us free from the bondages and ravages of sin and HEALS US!

Many Shall Come.....

 

Matthew 8:11
And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

 

        This statement is a portrayal of the fact that ultimately, at least in the short term, the Gentiles would accept Christ, while Israel as a nation would be lost. Israel will come back to God one day after the Great Tribulation period. Even now, millions of Jewish people are coming home to their Messiah in these last days. But at this moment in history, Israel rejected the ONE who could give Her life and as a result brought a death sentence down on the nation.

 

        The "many" here are the Gentiles, who would be grated into the Abrahamic Covenant, and all Jewish people, who through FAITH in Christ and Him Crucified! It illustrated Jesus’ power to embrace the “many” from every place, from all nations. It also speaks to us of the universal call of the gospel! THERE ARE NO PLACES THIS GOSPEL cannot go! There are no gates of hell this gospel cannot destroy. No matter the persecution or resistance, the LIGHT of the gospel of JESUS is greater! LIFT HIGH the royal banner, we cannot suffer loss! Praise God.

        Who are to be saved? Many shall come—just as the centurion had come—by faith.

        Many shall come—just as the centurion had come—from everywhere, the east and the west.

        Many shall sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in heaven (Hebrews 2:10).

 

The Decree of Judgment On Unbelief

 

Matthew 8:12 - But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

      As we close this first journal of 2006, let us look at the fact that Jesus’ great power shall always reject the unbelieving. The judgment of unbelievers is always terrible, both in this life and in the life to come! Jesus predicted that not only the Jews who persisted in unbelief, but ALL who would follow - both Jew and Gentile, would perish, die without God, thereby going to Hell, because of rejecting CHRIST!

 

      Israel at this time was rejected by God, despite the fact they had been chosen to be the children of God and had been given so many privileges. And this is the real theme of this message today to we in the Gentile part of the church, especially here in America. We, like Israel have been given so much revelation and knowledge in these last days that it beggars description. Yet, like Israel of long ago we suffocate in unbelief. The church world chokes on its own rules and creeds and false doctrine that entire denominations have apostatized from true faith in Christ going to "deeper" and "better" things. Friend, when we move beyond the Cross, where do we go? When we move beyond the cross, we backslide. When we move beyond Christ and Him Crucified, we wind up in an abyss NO ONE wants to find themselves in! Yet the church world today slides off into this abyss at a rapid pace without thought we are on crumbling ground. When we tinker with the fundamental gospel message of Christ and Him Crucified, we are in serious eternal jeopardy! Israel was destroyed because of her unbelief, and the Holy Spirit through Paul warns us in the Gentile world that our fate will be the same as Israel if we don't stand humbly as this Centurion soldier did before Christ and allow Him to HEAL US.

 

Romans 11:15-22
For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? [16] For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. [17] And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; [18] Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. [19] Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. [20] Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: [21] For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. [22] Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

 

        The term "cut off" in Romans carries with it the same connotation the word in Matthew of "cast out." Those who die in unbelief will go to a place where there will be outer darkness: a region, a place, a habitation, a home of pitch black that forbids any sight whatsoever. A place without light, without gleam or hope of any light whatsoever. It is a place of utter darkness in which one lives completely incapacitated, helpless, and hopeless. It is far away from the splendor and glory and brightness of God’s presence. It is being cast into the gloom and blackness of the outer world. It is misery, the misery of a lost soul. And it's the destiny of all those who reject Christ - no matter the reason!

        Hell will be a place of weeping: grief, loud grief, mourning, groaning, wailing, floods and floods of tears. There will be gnashing of teeth, a grinding; biting in hostility and bitterness and indignation; spitefully snapping the teeth. It is rage, fury, and despair because nothing can be done. When we refuse to believe, there is on remedy for sin except judgment.

        Entrance into heaven is based upon one thing and one thing only: faith in Christ. Heritage, godly parents and children, religious profession, baptism, and church membership—all are useless without faith. Without faith, man has only the judgment of God to look forward to. And to state it again, FAITH is not a blind abstract faith in a church. It's FAITH IN CHRIST and HIM CRUCIFIED.

 

I Will Come and Heal Him!

 

Matthew 5:13 - And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

 

        Jesus told the Centurion, "go your way and as you have believed, so it shall be done unto you." He said, "believe," not "do." For us to receive healing we must BELIEVE. We must believe. We must believe! When the devil comes in and starts casting doubt - we must believe! We must embrace the CROSS at ALL costs this coming year in 2006.There is an ever increasing amount of people with hurt and sickness in these modern times. There is only one answer friend, and that is the words from the BALM OF GILEAD, the HEALING SAVIOR, "I will come and heal him!" Israel looked for years for the healing of her people and the ONE who could heal Her was standing in her midst. Yet, through religious hardness of heart, she rejected Him. Jeremiah had cried centuries earlier that there was on physician there. Now, on a dusty road in Capernaum, Israel's BALM OF GILEAD spoke the word and brought light to the world!

 

Jeremiah 8:18-22 - When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me. [19] Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a far country: Is not the Lord in Zion? is not her king in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with strange vanities? [20] The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. [21] For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me. [22] Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?

Malachi 4:1-3  - For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.  [2] But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. [3] And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.

 

        Yes, we believe in divine healing! Yes, we believe it's God's will to heal ALL who come to Him in faith. YES, we believe that healing is in the atonement of Christ. Our message today is not so much about physical healing as much as it is SPIRITUAL. When one is spiritually whole, the physical part of healing will take care of itself in the Father's time and will!

 

        There is a beautiful song that you don't hear much anymore in churches called "Where the Healing Waters Flow." It goes like this, "where the healing waters flow, where the joys celestial glow, oh, there's peace, grace and love, where the healing waters flow." Those waters come as a result of our FAITH IN CHRIST and HIM CRUCIFIED for the waters are a type of the Holy Spirit, and when our FAITH in anchored RIGHT, he comes at the word of CHRIST to HEAL US. Are you hurting today friend? Have you been bruised by sin and the results of abuse? Has life left you in a place where there is no one to turn to?

 

        This journal is an invitation today for you to come and receive HEALING in your soul today. There is no place you will find that other than Christ. The alcohol you turn to will destroy you and not set you free. The drugs you turn to will not quench your thirst. The promiscuity you think that will bring you comfort and companionship will only lead you to greater loneliness and eventually death. ONLY JESUS can satisfy your soul. Only HE can cleanse your heart and make you whole. He give you peace, like you never knew, sweet joy and love, and heaven too. ONLY Jesus can satisfy your soul! Praise God and may you know this CHRIST in 2006! Maranatha and Blessings.

 

 

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"If any man thirsts, let him come unto ME and drink!" - John 7:37-39