Forty Day Journey with Jesus: Day 12

He Knows My Faith

Scripture Reading:  Luke 7:1-10

Meditation

Soldiers understand authority.

They live and move under the chain of command. When their commander says ‘Go,’ they go. When he says ‘Come,’ they come. When he says ‘Do this,’ they do it double time. In the chain of command, every order is a link of life. Break the chain and someone could die. In the military, authority is respected. Orders are the norm and unquestioned obedience is expected.

The centurion stationed at Capernaum leads one hundred soldiers, but while he leads, he also serves. He’s under the authority of another. As a leader, he knows that with authority comes power, with power comes responsibility, and with responsibility comes a charge to do what’s moral, noble, and right.

The centurion has heard about the power of Jesus. Many have told him that this teacher from Galilee has unrivaled spiritual authority. They say that, with a single command, he can make demons flee, the lame skip, fevers break, and the leprous clean. When enemy forces come face-to-face with Jesus, sickness surrenders and evil spirits abandon their posts. Even death waves a white flag and releases its prisoners.

After hearing all of this, the centurion asks the elders of Capernaum to go, find, and plead with Jesus to come and heal his servant.

For days his servant has been close to death. Every doctor has been called. Every medication has been tried. Every friend has been asked to pray and yet the servant is about to die. He’s more than a domestic hand, more than a stable boy or an armor bearer. He’s an invaluable aide, a priceless part of the centurion’s life. He’s not just another hired hand; he’s a cherished part of the centurion’s family.

The centurion’s hope is that what’s true in the realm of Caesar’s legions of command might also be true in the realm of the spiritual forces of evil.

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.1

Though the centurion is a Gentile, the elders of Capernaum think highly of him. When they come to Jesus, they praise the centurion for his generous support and aid in the building of the local synagogue. They also applaud his authentic affection for the nation of Israel.

For a representative of an occupying power, he’s well respected. He’s well liked. More than that, he’s genuinely accepted by the elders of Capernaum and even called a ‘friend.’ In the elders’ opinion, if anyone deserves to have Jesus come under his roof, it’s this man.

Jesus is persuaded by their plea. He goes with the elders and they make their way to the centurion’s house. When the centurion sees Jesus start down the path that leads to his house, he quickly sends another set of friends. These friends don’t plead with Jesus to hurry or beg him to run; instead, they ask him to stop. They tell him to just give the command and then they ask him to return to his in-progress itinerary.

It was faith that dispatched the invitation and now it’s faith that takes it back.

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.”2

“Jesus, just give the order.” It’s a Gentile soldier’s public submission to Jesus’ authority. 

The request catches everyone by surprise. The elders who had pleaded the centurion’s case and begged Jesus to come stand stunned. The gawkers who follow in the crowd behind are disappointed. The disciples are stupefied. Jesus, however, stands amazed.  He’s thrilled to find such great faith.

This is what Jesus has been looking for in Israel: someone who would believe, trust, and take him at his word. Up to now, the only thing that has amazed Jesus is his own people’s unbelief.

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.3

Like a commander in the battlefield, Jesus gives the order.

At his command, the angels don their armor; mercy, grace, and truth take up their swords; and the legions of heaven begin to march against the forces of evil.

Jesus orders “Believe,” and faith begins to fight.

He charges “Go,” and the servant’s disease deserts the battlefield.

He commands “Come,” and reinforcements move in—life, strength, and hope.

Jesus says the word and faith turns into sight.

Reflection

How does Christ’s authority affect your life?

In what ways are you unworthy to have Christ come under your roof?

What is Christ amazed about in your life?

Write a prayer. Begin with the words, “Jesus, just give the order and …”

Prayer

Father,

You have given your Son all authority in heaven and on earth. He is well aware that with that authority comes power; with that power comes responsibility; and with that responsibility comes a heavenly charge to do what’s moral, noble, and right. As your Son marched toward the cross, he advanced his kingdom. Every illness was a battle, every healing a victory. As he walked out of the tomb, he conquered sin and vanquished death. He subjugated the plans and power of the evil one.

During this day, create faith in me—a faith that will send for you, a faith that will stop you on your way and say it’s not worthy for you to come under its roof, a faith that will amaze you. Each day, may I live under your authority. I want to be your valued servant. When you say “Go,” make my legs run. When you say “Come,” make my heart beat fast. When you say “Do this,” make my hands move. And when Satan tries to ravage my soul, pillage my hope, and attack those I love, give me the faith to say, “Jesus, just give the order.”

It’s in your Son’s name that I pray. Amen.

1Luke 7:3-6   2Luke 7:6-8   3Luke 7:9-10

All Scripture references in the meditation are marked by italics and are taken from the Gospel reading for the day. Those verses quoted outside of the chosen reading for the day are noted. All Scripture quoted in this post is taken from THE MESSAGE: Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001 & 2002.  Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.