Focal Passage: Matthew 8:5-13
Do you hope for more? I hope for many more years to spend with my wife and children. I’m sure you’ve used the word hope in this same way.
In the sense we so often use the word hope, we mean something akin to wishful thinking. We would like something to be true.
But the biblical use of the word hope is something far more certain.
When the Bible speaks of hope it means something assured that we simply wait for. The biblical key to unlocking hope in this sense is faith.
In this story we find a glorious example of faith.
A Roman centurion sought out Jesus to heal his servant.
Instead of asking Jesus to come to his house, the centurion observed, “Lord, I’m not worthy to have you come under my roof. Speak the word and my servant will be healed. I too am a man with authority. When I tell my servant to do something, he does it.”
The centurion modeled great faith – so great that Jesus observed he had not found such faith in Israel.
Here we see biblical hope unlocked. The centurion knew Jesus could heal.
He displayed his hope with humble faith.
He acknowledged his unworthiness – a picture of a sinner humbling himself before the only One who can save.
He expressed his faith, “Only speak the word, and I know my servant will be healed.” Then the centurion experienced victorious hope.
Jesus healed His servant.
Did you know you were in this story? After Jesus’ complimented the man’s faith he said, “Many will come from east and west to recline at table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.”
Jesus asserted that if you’ve humbled yourself and trusted in Jesus, “You will be in the kingdom.”
It doesn’t get more certain than Jesus’ declaration.
So have hope. Look forward to the certain victory you will experience with Jesus in His Kingdom.