Responding in Faith

By Laura Colby, Boston, USA

Scripture Reading

• Luke 7:1-10
• Proverbs 3:5-6

Am I listening to the words of Jesus? When I am consumed with the busyness of life, I can easily forget the power of Jesus and rely on my own understanding.

When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue. 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. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 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.”

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.

Luke 7:1-10

What an amazing display of faith the Roman centurion had! He was a powerful man whose servant was sick and close to death. The centurion had heard about Jesus and sent some of the Jewish elders to ask him for help for his servant. Jesus was on his way when the centurion sent friends to him saying, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.” These words are similar to John the Baptist, who said in Luke 3:16, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

Humility, know my place before God

When the elders of the Jews came to Jesus, advocating for the centurion’s servant, they pleaded with Jesus, “This man deserves to have you do this!” When I see the posture of the centurion, his humility moves me. “I don’t deserve;” “I’m not worthy.” These words challenge my heart. As I see some of the closest people in my life struggle and suffer, I can be equally demanding of Jesus. How could you let my friend suffer with breast cancer? My friend deserves to be healed. It’s not fair that some women can get pregnant so quickly and others experience the agony of infertility. Don’t you care? Why did my brother have to die at this time? I wasn’t ready. Yet, as sinful as I am, I find hope in the heart of this Roman centurion.

Have a Simple Faith

“But say the word and my servant will be healed.”   It impresses me that a man of such stature would just ask of Jesus to speak a word. Just a word? He seems to be saying, just say the word from where you are—I trust you that much! Jesus did not need to fulfill his expectations. This Roman centurion knew the power that Jesus had. When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. He looked at the crowd and said, “I tell you I have not found such great faith in Israel.” Can you imagine the shockwaves that went through the Jewish people at these words from Jesus. Oh, it should have cut their hearts deeply! Jesus declared that a Roman Centurion, an officer of a pagan army, exhibited greater faith in Him than all of the religious people of Israel—the chosen people of God. I have to ask myself as well: Am I just going through the motions in my faith, or am I striving to have great faith like the Roman centurion?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

The challenge we can face as women is that we can take difficult situations into our own hands. It’s the “What if’s” that can rock our boat. I can’t just let this happen. If I don’t intervene, the consequences could be irreparable. It is so easy to justify our own self-reliance. One of my spiritual practices has been singing the hymn, “All to Jesus I Surrender”. As I begin my day, I want to let Jesus know that I am putting my life in his hands. I am relinquishing control over to him. At this time in my life, I am taking care of my 97-year-old mom. This has taught me to take one day at a time. She has had numerous falls, is experiencing cognitive decline, and it isn’t very clear which way my siblings and I should handle her care. I don’t know how the future will go, but I know Him who holds the future.

Questions for Reflection

1. In our lives we encounter many obstacles. At times, it can be difficult to watch our loved one’s struggle. Anxiety can bring out an entitled spirit. How can you keep a humble posture before God? How are you able to imitate the centurion who knew that he was unworthy?
2. Do you perceive God as your loving father who has a plan for your life? Are there ways you are taking matters into your own hands because you think you have a better plan? If so, what must you change to trust completely in God’s plan?
3. Are you facing trials such as: the loss of a loved one, an estranged, strained, or failed relationship, the loss of a job, financial struggles, wayward children, or worry, stress, and anxiety? How are you handling the trials in your life?
4. When we imitate the faith of the centurion, it means we may not know the outcome, but we trust the One who does, that His love for us far outweighs anything and everything we may face in this world.

Challenge

May we lean on Him, trust in Him and hold tightly to His promises, for God is good and will always be with us, even in the darkest of times, to carry us through to the other side. May we have faith like the Roman Centurion and declare: “God, just say the word and my _________ will be healed.”

About the Author

Laura Colby has been a faithful disciple of Jesus for over 42 years in the Boston church. She and her husband, Jayson, have four daughters, and six grandchildren, and one on the way! Laura serves alongside her husband, who is an elder in the Boston church.