The one in authority has only to give the command for the task to be accomplished.
Jesus, referring to himself as the prophetic Son of Man, claimed to have authority over spiritual sickness and human sickness. He demonstrated this authority when the paralytic’s sins were not only forgiven but when the man was given the ability to walk again. (Luke 5:24-26)
In this passage, the centurion trusted Jesus’ word and position of divine authority to command his servant’s healing. As believed, the servant was healed.
How often do I “hope” that God will meet the need? How often do I “know” that through the struggle, He will see me through? How often is my faith in the ONE who holds all authority?
The centurion’s great faith is what Jesus marveled at. It wasn’t that a Roman would choose to embrace the Messiah (a Jewish concept), but that this man knew what authority meant and humbled himself under Jesus, the king of the Jews.
I’ve struggled over the past two weeks with the loss of something I valued. In a sense, I’ve struggled with the thought of whether or not my “usefulness” has passed me by. The danger is in societal meanings where being “useful” means being “worthwhile”.
God is helping me see it differently. It is not my “usefulness” that makes me valuable or worth spending time with (like society’s value system). It is my relationship with Him. When I understand my part in His family, I am able to relax in His affection.*
Certainly, I want to keep growing as an individual and doing the things that my family needs. On the other hand, I can also accept the fact that without any “service”, I am still worthwhile. Just as the unborn child is worthwhile along with the elderly patient who may sit alone in a long term care home. In essence, being human makes us all part of the image of God. His creation is all worthwhile.
Praying in faith means understanding who holds the spiritual authority over tangible objects/relationships. It is not society’s wealth or our own cleverness. Authority is held by Jesus Christ, the Lord.
He can heal us spiritually and physically. We don’t understand how the spiritual dimension intersects our limited place in time and space, but we do see the effects of this unknown dimension at work in God’s creation.
Lord, will you say the Word? “Come and Heal” seems too presumptuous as you have all authority. Who am I to even speak my request with the Lord, the One who gives life and life eternal. -Teresa #yetHeinvitesme #Cometome
*Dr. David Eckman, Becoming What God Intended Ministries.
Luke 7:1-10 (ESV)
7 After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum.2 Now a centurion had a servant[b] who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. 3 When the centurion[c] heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” 6 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.
Reconnection 