Today’s Reading: Matthew 8:1-17

As he traveled from place to place, Jesus healed those who were sick or crippled. Many who were possessed by demons were set free. But not everyone who needed healing came to Jesus believing that he could and that he would. Some had only experienced a lack of sympathy and thoughtfulness throughout their life, and they could not imagine that someone as special as Jesus would care enough to heal them. But some had enough faith to at least ask.

Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.”

Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.” – Matthew 8:1-4

I KNOW JESUS CAN; I JUST DON’T KNOW IF HE WILL.

Wow, that’s powerful! Do you identify with this man who had faith to believe that Jesus could heal him of an incurable disease, but struggled to believe that Jesus would choose to do something that amazing for him? Maybe you have seen him do it for others, you have heard the testimonials of those who have experienced healing, yet you have not come to understand how much God loves you — how much He wants to hear you ask and wants to see you walk in wholeness and healing.

I KNOW JESUS CAN AND I AM ASKING HIM TO.

When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.”

Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.”

But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!…”

Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour. – Matthew 8:5-10,13

The Roman officer is a great example of what it looks like to believe Jesus has the power to do anything. He came to Jesus with a humble spirit and his request was granted. Because he believed in Jesus, his servant was healed; because he had the faith to believe on behalf of another person who needed healing, that person experienced the magnificent power of Jesus.

I KNOW JESUS CAN AND I HAVE THE FAITH TO BELIEVE HE WILL.

When Jesus arrived at Peter’s house, Peter’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. But when Jesus touched her hand, the fever left her. Then she got up and prepared a meal for him.

That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick. This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said, “He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.” – Matthew 8:14-17

JESUS HAS HEALED ME AND I WILL SERVE HIM FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.

I made a decision as a teenager that I would spend my life serving God. I counted it as a privilege, and I was honored when I received my call during a youth conference. When I experienced the need for healing, I asked for it. During the time of waiting for God to respond, I daily laid the desires of my heart before him and humbly asked him to align my desires with His, believing the life He had for me would be good — with or without healing.

If you are in that place of petitioning God for your healing or the healing of someone else, I pray that you will experience the power of Jesus. As you humbly lay out your requests before God, I pray that He will hear your prayers and make Himself known to you. I join you in praying for healing. Father God, would you do amazing things in our lives today? May we see the power of your healing and may we faithfully serve you for the rest of our lives! Amen.