Friday 6 July, 2012

7 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.

A Roman soldier, a centurion, surprises Jesus. The Message version says Jesus was “taken aback”, saying to the crowd, “I’ve yet to come across this kind of simple trust anywhere in Israel, the very people who are supposed to know about God and how he works.” Jesus is surrounded by Jews, people of “faith” – and yet it is an “outsider” who has perceived who Jesus is and the power that He has. The unnamed Roman soldier – demonstrates the simple faith that Jesus is looking for.

Do I understand the authority that is given to Jesus to “speak” to situations and bring life? Do I grasp the concept that simple faith is understanding who I am placing my faith in and confidently trusting Him to be all that He is?

Written by Ps. Linda Quinn