Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Luke 7:7b-9 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."
WHEN WE TRUST JESUS WE PUT OUR FAITH IN THE ALMIGHTY POWER OF GOD
The centurion stationed at Capernaum told Christ he understood what it meant to take orders and to give them. That was why he did not believe it necessary for Jesus to come to his house to heal his terminally ill servant. The centurion believed Jesus authority was the very authority of God, that His word would be obeyed even by fever and disease -- even by death. For the centurion, faith in Christ meant putting his confidence in the almighty power of God.
This same Jesus is the One we turn to in prayer today. The fact that He does not visibly put in an appearance in our homes does not diminish His power in the least. And while not all of us are in the military, most of us know what it's like to say, "Do this" or "Do that" and have it done -- as parents, employers/employees, and even as home-owners having work done. (Can you say: "Mow the lawn"?) This is ordinary daily stuff -- much like giving and taking orders was for the centurion.
What's amazing is when we remember the unlimited nature of our Lord Christ's authority when we turn to Him with our daily needs. We have the Spirit of God to thank for this, the Spirit who through the word of God is nourishing and strengthening our faith this very moment.
We now implore God the Holy Ghost
For the true faith, which we need the most.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 231:1)
