Encounter: The Roman Centurion

Scripture: Luke 7:1-10 MSG

When he finished speaking to the people, he entered Capernaum. A Roman captain there had a servant who was on his deathbed. He prized him highly and didn’t want to lose him. When he heard Jesus was back, he sent leaders from the Jewish community asking him to come and heal his servant. They came to Jesus and urged him to do it, saying, “He deserves this. He loves our people. He even built our meeting place.” Jesus went with them. When he was still quite far from the house, the captain sent friends to tell him, “Master, you don’t have to go to all this trouble. I’m not that good a person, you know. I’d be embarrassed for you to come to my house, even embarrassed to come to you in person. Just give the order and my servant will get well. I’m a man under orders; I also give orders. I tell one soldier, ‘Go,’ and he goes; another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” Taken aback, Jesus addressed the accompanying 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.” When the messengers got back home, they found the servant up and well.

Prayer:

Dear God,

The healing of the servant is a great miracle. The greater miracle is perhaps the humility of the one who sent for Jesus. A Roman captain, powerful and mighty, expressed such genuine belief through his sense of unworthiness. He recognized the almighty God who is Jesus. Bring me to this place, Lord, where I know you are working in my life even when I don’t feel your presence. Even when I am unworthy, you are merciful and gracious to me … even me.

In the name of Jesus,

Amen.

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