Daily Reading // Matthew 8-10
(Find the daily reading on Pastor Jim’s Blog)
https://jholm5.wixsite.com/pastor-jim-blog
S // SCRIPTURE
Select a verse from today’s reading
Matthew 8:7 (NKJV) And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
O // OBSERVATION
Why did this verse get your attention? Make a simple observation from the text
The centurion asked Jesus to heal his servant. Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.” The centurion understood Jesus could heal the servant without actually making the trip. Jesus told him he was right and his servant was healed that very hour. Jesus also commended him for his great faith.
What stuck out to me was this: Jesus was willing to make the trip even though He knew the trip itself wasn’t necessary.
The centurion missed out on some amazing quality time traveling with Jesus. But he did get his servant healed, which was the purpose of his trip.
This way was more efficient, but it was much less relational.
A // APPLICATION
How can I apply this to my life today?
Jesus was willing to take the trip even though it wasn’t necessary to accomplish the healing. Jesus took many trips to heal people (ie: Jairus’ daughter). Presumably those trips also weren’t necessary. He took them anyway.
Jesus took many unnecessary trips.
I think Jesus is willing to walk with me even though it may not be ‘necessary’. Jesus will take the time and expend the energy for no more than relational purposes.
I think if I had been the centurion I might’ve said, “Look Jesus, I know You don’t have to go all the way to my house to heal my servant. You can do it right now, right here. But I don’t want to miss out on the travel time with You. So why don’t You go ahead and heal him now, but let’s still go to my house to hang out for a while.”
For me it’s relationship over efficiency.
P // PRAYER
Express yourself in prayer
Jesus, You are so good to bear with us — to bear with me. Where faith is weak You will even take unnecessary trips. I know You can do whatever You want however You want. Amen.
Comments