ESOCS Devotional 7 September 2026 – The Word Brings Healing
MEMORY VERSE: “The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” (Matt. 8: 8 NIV).
TEXT: MATTHEW 8: 1 – 13
When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. 2 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
3 Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
5 Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”
7 And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
8 The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! 11 And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.
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One major role our Lord Jesus played during his lifetime was the ministry of healing. People with diverse diseases came to him for healing. The leper was one of them and Jesus is known to always be willing and compassionate to heal without asking for any personal thing in return (Matt. 8:2 – 4).
John the beloved described the Word as being with God from the beginning and that all things were made by him and without him not anything made that was made. The Word gives life and it’s the light of men (John 1:1-4). The Word is Jesus!!! Through the stripes of Jesus, we receive healing (Isa. 53:5).
This is the truth that the centurion who went to Jesus to seek for healing for his servant in our text knew. He understood the power that is in Jesus. His understanding of who Jesus is caused his great belief that Jesus could heal his servant even without going to his place (Matt. 8:8-9).
Many people in the Christendom profess to know Jesus but undermine the power in Him. Christians today prefer to put their trust in doctors and other experts rather than looking unto Jesus, The author and Finisher of our faith. Many Christians think that until a man of God lays hand on them or prays for them specially before they will be healed.
No wonder Jesus said that “many shall come from the east and west and shall sit with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven but the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness…” (Matt. 8:11-12). Why is this so? Because the publicans believe in the power of the Word more than the children of God.
The centurion’s servant was healed because the centurion believed (Matt. 8:13). Hear me beloved, the Word of God which is Jesus has brought healing to your doorstep today. Believe and you will receive your healing.
Challenges:
- What situation do you think is impossible to heal?
- Do you believe that the Word can bring healing to that situation?
Prayer:
Oh Lord, have mercy upon me for not believing in your Word. Today, I come before you and I believe that you are able to do even the impossible. I lay all my challenges at your feet and look unto you to heal me and make me whole again in Jesus Name.
FURTHER READING:
Dan. 9: 1 – 19; 2 Samuel 14: 17 – 37; Romans 8: 24 – 39
ESOCS Devotional 7 September 2026
