Daily Devotions
Matthew
A Solemn Word of Warning
Text: Matthew 8 : 5 - 13
Jesus was glad that He could commend the centurion for his sterling faith. However, He could not help but feel sad that Israel lagged far behind in the matter of the cultivation of faith.
“And I say to you that many will come from
east and west, and sit down with Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out
into outer darkness. There will be weeping
and gnashing of teeth.”
Matthew 8:11-12
“The Kingdom of Heaven”
Once again, Jesus mentioned “The Kingdom of heaven”. This was the theme that John the Baptiser preached on frequently (Matthew 3:2). As he preached, he urged people to repent from their sins, if they ever hoped to enter into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 3:1-3).
Jesus Himself preached this same theme (Matthew 4:23). This time round, He added the names of the revered patriarchs of Israel, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He described them as belonging to the kingdom of heaven. As He painted the scene, He described “many (who came) from east and west”. They were privileged to sit down with the patriarchs!
Who were these people? To the average Jew, the description of being in the kingdom of heaven with the patriarchs, must be a reference to the children of Israel! Who else would be worthy of sitting down with these great men so blessed by the Lord? But what did Jesus have in mind as He uttered these words?
“But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness”
These words made things awfully clear! Jesus was NOT making a reference to Jews sitting with the patriarchs! Yes, Jews often called themselves, “the sons of the kingdom”. Which kingdom? Certainly not the kingdom of heaven. At best this phrase would be a historic and nostalgic reference to the good old days when Israel enjoyed having kings like David. But the children of Israel had gone so far away from God that Gentiles were being commended above them!
Did not the nation know the peril it was in? Did the so-called “sons of the kingdom” not realize that they could be cast out into outer darkness? To be cast out into “outer darkness” would surely produce “weeping and gnashing of teeth”. But all the weeping and grinding of the teeth in regret and sorrow would not suffice in that day of judgment.
Could the crowds learn from the leper, and now the centurion how to recognize Jesus for who He really was! He was Lord! In Him resided great power and authority!
A GENTLE WORD OF PROMISE
Now Jesus turned quietly to the centurion who stood by quietly as He addressed the crowd.
“Then Jesus said to the centurion, ‘Go
your way; and as you have believed, so
let it be done for you.’ And his servant
was healed that same hour.”
Matthew 8:13
The crowds must have listened to Jesus with mixed feelings. There would be some who would take note of what He said, and checked their faith. There would also be those who would have resented Jesus for saying what He did. How dare He commend a Gentile above the Jews, and a Roman soldier at that! How dare He say that the sons of the kingdom might not be in the kingdom of heaven! What kind of a Teacher was He to suggest such thoughts!
Jesus left the crowds to ponder over what He said. He knew that what He had uttered was absolutely true, even though those words must have been hard to appreciate! The humble Roman solider had stood at attention close by. He had not interrupted Jesus as He spoke to those who followed him. He had not worried that his servant boy might have died in the meanwhile. His humble patience was soon rewarded. Once again, Jesus spoke to him.
“As you have believed…”
Jesus had understood the words of the centurion. Though he did not use the word “believe” (“pisteuo” = Greek verb) from which the word “faith” (“pistis” = Greek noun) was derived, Jesus knew that the centurion possessed a great faith in Him. He praised and honoured him for his faith!
“So let it be done for you…”
The centurion had come in faith to plead with Jesus for the life of his servant boy. He had such faith in Jesus that he believed that if the Master would just say the word, his servant would be healed. Had he believed thus? Then his reward would be that the miracle would be done “as he (had) believed”. The blessing was directly related to the faith expressed. What a boost to faith that would be!
“And his servant was healed that same hour”
Matthew noted that the servant was healed in that self-same hour! The focus of this episode recorded was not the healing, but the great faith of the centurion! Was this lesson on faith lost on the crowds?
THE CHALLENGE OF CULTIVATING A GREAT FAITH
Matthew lined up one encounter after another to highlight what Jesus was looking for! His search was genuine faith! He would do His part to generate faith. He would teach and heal too. But ultimately, the heart must respond appropriately – with faith in Him!