“When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.” Luke 7.1-10
When the servant of the Roman centurion was sick, he went to Jesus. He who had done much for the Jews, he had helped build their synagogue, loved the nation, and seemed to be a person of faith. Even Jewish elders came to Jesus on the man’s behalf requesting help in healing his very valued servant.
Jesus went to heal but as they got close to the centurions house the man himself comes out to meet Jesus saying, “I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But say the word and my servant will be healed.” This soldier, who was use to giving and taking order, explained his reasoning to Jesus. And when Jesus heard this, “He was amazed at him and turning to the crowd said, “I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” The Scripture tells us that the centurion returned home to find his servant well and awake.
This raises the issue of how and when we call upon the name of the Lord. We should call on his name often and regularly and with belief that he hears us. We don’t need to be face to face with Jesus for our prayers to be heard. We don’t need confirmation that what he promised he said he would do he will do. He is God, he is Lord, and he has already said that if you have faith the size of just a mustard seed then you will be able to move mountains. Just as the centurion called upon Jesus, having faith that if he said the word then his servant would be healed, so can we do the same.
The storms that approach are no comparison for the might and power of Jesus. The waves and wind can not steer me off course. For my faith is in the man from Galilee who says the word and I find healing. He is not distance nor deceased. He is here, in Spirit, and reigning on the throne in heaven seated at the right hand side of the Father. Perhaps heaven is only out of reach above my head. I feel that it is actually that close. Jesus isn’t miles away into the sky, his kingdom is an arms length away.
Today I am choosing to trust in Jesus to heal my brokenness. I am choosing to believe it is well with my soul. Will you do the same?
“O Lord God, you are good. Come now and help me find strength in your arms and in the power of your love. I know I am a sinner, saved by grace. I know your mercy covers me like a blanket. Thank you for the faith of the Roman centurion who even amazed you! Give me faith like that man that I might walk in courage, in strength and with you all the days of my life. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen