SEATED LEG PRESS
READ MATTHEW 8:5-13
My husband Barry is at the gym by 6:00 a.m. every Saturday working out on the equipment. When he uses the seated leg press, his knees are bent as he readies himself to push 750 lbs.! Not bad for a 71-year-old gym rat, right? Every weekend he completes an impressive routine designed to work his muscles to exhaustion. At home he studies a color illustrated strength training book showing all the muscle groups and exercises for each of them. Every morning he hits the floor to do 100 full plank pushups. Because he is willing to study and find the time to exercise, he is physically fit for his age and maintains an ideal body weight.
As remarkable as his routine is, I am even more impressed when I see him in the morning get down on his knees next to the kitchen table, bow his head and recite The Lord’s Prayer from Matthew 6:9. He mentions me, our family members, and friends with specific needs in his morning prayers. Then he gets up and reads from the Bible while he eats his cereal. Sometimes he reads me a verse that stands out to him, and we discuss it. Over time his behavior has noticeably improved with more peace and patience. His investment in prayer and Bible reading has paid off. For as long as he is living, he is learning.
Barry’s trust in God’s Word to produce faith in his life is exactly what Jesus commended the Roman Centurion for. The scene is documented in Matthew 8:6-10. By this time in His ministry, Jesus had a far-reaching reputation for healing the sick. People knew they could be healed if they went to Him.
When Jesus entered the city of Capernaum, the Centurion came to Jesus asking Him to heal his servant who was paralyzed. Jesus agreed and was willing to go to him. The Centurion stopped Him, though, saying he was unworthy for Jesus to visit his Gentile home. This was an incredibly humble statement for one with such high military status.
Instead, this was the officer’s request: “…just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I, too, am a man under authority with soldiers under me. I say to this one ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another ‘Come!’ and he comes and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it!’” (Matthew 8:9)
Jesus was incredulous and commended him for his great faith. He hadn’t seen such a display of belief in all Israel among the people who should have known the power of God’s Word. Let me paraphrase the Centurion’s confession to Jesus. “Just say the word and my servant will be healed. You don’t have to be physically present with him. Your word carries all the power needed for him to be healed.” He compared Jesus’ words to his soldiers under him who go forth to carry out his orders. In response, Jesus commanded the servant to be healed from a distance and he was completely healed that day!
In contrast to the Centurion, the Disciples came up short in their faith. They were in a boat along with Jesus when a powerful storm suddenly arose at sea. The waves crashed against the craft, sending the Disciples to wake up Jesus who was asleep in the boat. Jesus was clearly annoyed at their panic, calling them men of little faith. He gave the command, like He had done with the Centurion, and the storm diminished. “He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey Him!’” (Matthew 8:26) Their faith was awakened as Jesus proved His authority over all nature.
Exactly what does this mean for us today? Jesus’ power has never changed. He retains His authority over all nature and that authority is embodied in God’s Word. Jesus does not have to be physically present to heal us and calm our storms. When we pray and read the Bible, the Holy Spirit is actively present and will implement God’s power as needed.
Bible reading and prayer makes us inwardly strong and wise to deal with life’s situations. Our minds are healed, corrected, and recalibrated to expect help from heaven. Living every day with that perspective, we will see God work in our natural circumstances, moving on our behalf. Like Barry’s gym routine, we need to study and invest some time to see the results. Develop your own routine of Bible reading and prayer. Be consistent, holding that time as sacred. Over time, you will become stronger, have the wisdom to tackle your problems, and see answers to your prayers.
Heaven’s constituents acknowledge firsthand the position of authority that Jesus holds: “Then I heard a loud voice in Heaven say: ‘Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ!’” (Revelation 12:10) We can join with the heavenly host to celebrate the authority of Christ by accepting Him and believing in His Word.
