Daily Devotional For Sunday, October 4, 2026
Good morning Southside! I am following the One Year Chronological Bible reading suggestion and any Bible verses you see highlighted in bold (ex. John 3:16), means it is a link to that verse. All you have to do is click on the reference and it will take you to the verse online. Our daily devotional for today comes from the words of Jesus found in Matthew 8:5-13. This is a story about faith and humility of a Roman centurion and the compassion and kindness of Jesus to a Gentile, someone not part of the Abrahamic Covenant.
The Bible says this Roman Centurion “implored” of Jesus to heal his paralysed and fearful servant at his home. When Jesus offered to go to this Roman Centurion’s home, he told Jesus he had enough faith that if He just gave the word from where He was, his servant would be healed. This is remarkable to me for several reasons:
- Roman Centurions were not known for their humility. New Testament scholar William Barclay helps us see how remarkable this was. He writes, “The centurions were the backbone of the Roman army. In a Roman legion there were 6,000 men; the legion was divided into 60 centuries, each containing 100 men, and in command of each century there was a centurion. These centurions were the long-service, regular soldiers of the Roman army. They were responsible for the discipline of the regiment, and they were the cement which held the army together.… The centurions were the finest men in the Roman army” (Source: William Barclay, The Daily Study Bible Series, “Matthew,” Vol. 1, p. 347). To any Roman soldier, any Jew was a slave that could be ordered to do any task they desired. The fact that he asked Jesus, is remarkable since he was a man used to giving orders and discipling soldiers who failed to carry out those orders.
- His faith in Jesus was so deep that He knew Jesus could heal his servant right then and there. No need to travel. No need to go to the house. No need to put on some show. Just say the word and the servant would be healed. This Roman Centurion had a respect for Jesus unlike any Jew or Jewish leader in Jesus’ day. And he wasn’t intimidated or afraid for anyone to know he had come to Jesus. No wonder we get Jesus’ reaction in Matthew 8:10. This had to shock the Jews and especially the Jewish religious leaders who only had faith in themselves. They believed every illness, infirmary, disability and pain was punishment from God for some sin you had committed. They thought of such people, “God helps those who help themselves.” Therefore, they would have avoided any contact and communication with this Roman Centurion because they believed he along with all Gentiles were unclean and going to hell.
Jesus used this to teach His disciples that salvation and God’s grace, compassion, forgiveness and mercy were for all who reached out to Him in humility. When the Roman Centurion got home, he found what he already knew by faith was true – his servant was healed. What about you? Maybe like this Roman Centurion you are doing okay but you have to care for someone who is not doing well. You are worn out from worry. You are exhausted from anxiety. You are near the breaking point due to your attempts to control and care for the situation.
Maybe it is a family member or a friend or even a pet. Instead of believing the lie, “God helps those who help themselves,” throw yourself in humility before the Lord. If it is someone who is battling an illness, give them to the Lord. If it is someone who has wandered away from the Lord, give them to the Lord. If it is a pet that is nearing their end of life stage, give that pet to the Lord. The Roman Centurion did not go to Roman doctors or magicians or “faith healers” of his day. He went to Jesus.
Reflection Assignment: Who is it that you have to care for and it is taxing, tiring and troubling for you? Who do you wish God would just give the word and they were healed? Would you say that when you pray you come to the Lord in a spirit of humility like this Roman Centurion? Or do you or have you ever felt or believed, “God helps those those help themselves”? Why do you think so many people believe this when the Scriptures are clear: we can’t help ourselves? That is why we need Jesus. How dependent would you say you are on the Lord each day & why?
Scripture To Meditate On: Romans 3:11-12, “No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. (12) All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one” (NLT).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, the truth is You can only help those who accept they cannot help themselves. Lord, I want to be totally dependent on You for everything. Please forgive me when I live my life independent rather than dependent on You. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside – Pastor Kelly