What Jesus did #14: he recognised real faith when he saw it

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

In this account, a centurion sends for Jesus to heal his servant. The centurion values his servant highly. He cares that he is sick. He cares enough that he’s prepared to approach this Jewish guy that he’s heard so much about for help. But he can’t approach Jesus himself. He gets it. He’s not a Jew. Yes, he’s been sympathetic to the Jews and supported them in building a new place of worship, but he is still not a Jew. He knows all too well what this means. He’s on the other side.

He feels unworthy. He feels uncomfortable to have Jesus visit his house. He doesn’t feel able to speak to Jesus directly. And yet he believes that Jesus can heal his servant, heal him without even seeing him. This is real faith. He understands obedience. If Jesus says it, then it will be done. Simple as that. This is great faith.

It doesn’t matter how important you are.

It doesn’t matter where you were born or what tribe you belong to.

It doesn’t matter what you’ve done or not done.

It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor.

It doesn’t matter what side you’re on, what team you’re a part of.

It doesn’t matter if you feel like you belong or not.

Jesus recognises real faith when he sees it.

That’s what matters. That’s the only thing that matters.

This kind of faith will be revealed in the most unexpected of places and situations. We’ll probably be surprised by it. It is faith that allows us to reach out to God for help and trust in the outcome. This confidence that God knows what He’s doing.

This kind of faith focuses on God and what He can do, rather than on whether we deserve it or not. Or whether we’ve earned it or not. Or whether we’re worthy or not.

Just say the word, Jesus, just say the word and it will be done.