Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Medical Mission Sunday: Jesus Christ Who Heals

St. Matthew 8:5-17
v.13: “Then Jesus said to the centurion, ‘Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.’ And his servant was healed at that moment.”
 
A centurion was a high leading official in the Roman army who had control of over 100 soldiers.  Roman soldiers were not seen well by the Jews because they were people who oppressed, ridiculed, and controlled the Jews.  But here we see a centurion, who oversaw many of these kinds of oppressive people who were a bit different than one of his kind.  He was one who was of great faith, compare that to the Jewish religious leaders and their attitudes!  This centurion went to Jesus, he did not look at who he is, his power, prestige, pride, etc.  He genuinely humbled himself to Jesus.  He did not have any barriers that resisted him to go to Jesus.  He gave himself and pleaded for the healing of his servant.  He also responds that he is not worthy to even be near Jesus but needs him.  Jesus appreciated this “foreigner’s” faith and claimed that He is yet to see any faith like this in Israel.

This healing happened through the centurion’s humility which made him come to Jesus.  There is healing that needs to happen to us also. But we often hide our opportunities for healing through selfishness and pride. We regard ourselves more than others.  Humility is a calling for healing. Through humility, we can approach Jesus.  Pride and ego bring barriers and brings damage not only to oneself but to others around us as well. We are all agents of healing as we can all turn to the Great Physician. 
 
Prayer
Father, guide my heart to be humbled so that through the quietness of pride and ego, I can listen to Your healing love and bring healing to the world around us.  Amen.
 
Thought for the day
“A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.”- C.S. Lewis
 
Rev. Jess M. George
North-East Region Youth Chaplain
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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