
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 … But say the word, and my servant will be healed …”
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.” Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
(verses 6-7, 9-10)
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What is faith, anyway? I think sometimes I get confused. I can so easily think of it primarily as some kind of commodity I grasp with spiritual hands – if I’ve got a big enough quantity of it then wonders will result. That way of thinking puts the emphasis squarely on me.
What I see in this story, instead, is a man who put the emphasis squarely on Jesus. His own role is simply to lay the request before the Master. His faith is defined by his willingness (indeed desperation) to ask.
The man, a Roman centurion, has a highly valued servant who has fallen deathly ill. So, the centurion sends a message to Jesus via some Jewish elders from the local synagogue who speak on his behalf. “This man deserves to have you do this,” they say to Jesus, “because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue” (verse 5). Jesus responds to the request and heads with them to the centurion’s house.
But en route, Jesus receives another message, this one a declaration from the centurion that he is not even worthy of the visit. Instead, he asks that Jesus simply speak the word and the healing will take place. This centurion understands authority structures, being under authority himself and exercising authority over others. He acknowledges in this circumstance that Jesus is the only one who possesses the necessary authority. His own role is confined to making the request – which is what he does. He knows the healing of his servant is entirely dependent on Jesus.
Jesus hears the man’s faith. Indeed, he says, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” Clearly, the centurion provides me an example to follow.
What I notice is that his faith is expressed simply by making the request. He’s not flexing spiritual muscles to drum up a requisite quantity of the stuff. No – he simply asks. The eyes of faith are firmly focused on Jesus, looking to him to speak the word, knowing that will be enough.
The example of this centurion reminds me that faith is primarily about relationship. It’s all about turning “eyes on Jesus.” That’s what the man did, even from a distance. He connected with Jesus, putting the request in his hands.
I, too, like the centurion, in all my prayers and yearnings, have the primary task of connecting with my Lord. It’s about looking directly to him, simply placing the request before him, trusting, knowing that he is the one – the only one – who has authority to work the wonder.
There is, of course, the further issue of waiting for his timing - which may be more drawn out than I would choose. But, following the centurion's lead, I will put it all in his hands. Trusting.
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Dear Lord, I look to you again. You are the one, the only one, who can meet me in my need. I look to you. I put it all in your hands. I trust in your response. I wait on you. Thank you, Lord.
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Reflect:
What needs are pressing on you today? Put it in Jesus' hands once again. Then consider: how do you keep faith alive while you trust his timing?
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Photo by Matheus Ferrero on Unsplash
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