Luke 7:1-10
7 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. 2 And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. 3 So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5 “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.”
6 Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having 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 turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” 10 And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.
Seeing is not necessarily believing. Many people in Israel saw the signs Jesus was doing and, instead of believing, kept demanding more and more signs. Not so with the Roman centurion. He had already seen enough. Or better, he had already heard enough.
It seems clear that the centurion had never met Jesus or watched Him perform His miracles. But he had clearly heard the word about Christ, that He was good and merciful, and that He behaved as a Commander over disease, and over nature, and even over demons, and that His commands were readily obeyed. The word about Jesus created such faith in the centurion’s heart that, even when given the opportunity to see Jesus and have Him come under his roof, he refused. Why should he desire something so unnecessary when a simple word from the Commander will do?
Why should we? Why should we desire to see the Lord’s plan for His Church beyond what He has already revealed in His Word? Why should we desire to see more evidence of His loving care than the cross He willingly bore for us?
Let God’s Word be enough. If He has promised it, it must be done. It must come true. He has proven Himself dependable and reliable. He doesn’t have to keep proving His faithfulness over and over again, does He? If He has not said it, then we didn’t need to know it, nor should we expect it. But if He has, then let us believe it, without having to see a thing, knowing that, in the Lord’s time, we will see everything turn out just as He said.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, You are the mighty Commander and Ruler over all things. Grant us Your Spirit to strengthen our faith, that we may trust steadfastly in Your word and look to You for mercy at all times. Amen.
