A WORD OF FAITH
SCRIPTURE
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."
—Luke 7:9
I love the story Luke told of the centurion's faith. The centurion was a gentile asking for help from Jesus, who was Jewish. This Roman officer sent Jewish elders to deliver a message to Jesus that the officer's servant was desperately ill. Jesus, always ready to help, began walking toward the centurion's home. The centurion must have seen Jesus coming because he sent other messengers to tell Jesus to just "say the word" (Luke 7:7).
If I put myself in this story, I wouldn't be the centurion or one of the elders. I would be one of the messengers pushing Jesus to walk faster and get to the house before the servant died. That's why the centurion's faith humbles me. He only wanted a word from Jesus. But there is no record to tell us what that word was. Jesus didn't stop, raise his head toward heaven, and say, "Heal," elongating the vowels to guarantee there was no mistake about what he asked. This was a lesson about faith, not about healing!
Real faith acknowledges the presence and power of the Word made flesh. All arguments to persuade Jesus about how great the need is are unnecessary. He already knows. We want Jesus to say the word that brings change, healing, or help. The problem is, we don't know what that word is. But isn't that where faith comes in? Jesus knows the right word. Say the word becomes a simple prayer that gives Jesus all control. We don't direct; we receive.
Our faith is in who Jesus is before it is in what can do. He will do whatever is right, true, best, empowering, holy, and eternal. Nothing more, nothing less.
We need faith-building experiences like the centurion had. Maybe some are waiting on the other side of our asking Jesus to send us his word for the moment, the day, or the hardship. Perhaps it's not a word with vowels and consonants because he himself is the Word. His presence means we need fewer words because we recognize the power of the Word himself.
Today, pray with confidence: Say the word!
BURNING QUESTIONS
1. How is it backward to connect faith to what Jesus does for you rather than connecting to who Jesus is?
2. How can you learn more about who Jesus is to you today?
AFFIRMATION
The Word became flesh and still speaks the word I need to hear.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Speaking Lord, say the word I need today. If I listen more, I need fewer words.
SCRIPTURE
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."
—Luke 7:9
I love the story Luke told of the centurion's faith. The centurion was a gentile asking for help from Jesus, who was Jewish. This Roman officer sent Jewish elders to deliver a message to Jesus that the officer's servant was desperately ill. Jesus, always ready to help, began walking toward the centurion's home. The centurion must have seen Jesus coming because he sent other messengers to tell Jesus to just "say the word" (Luke 7:7).
If I put myself in this story, I wouldn't be the centurion or one of the elders. I would be one of the messengers pushing Jesus to walk faster and get to the house before the servant died. That's why the centurion's faith humbles me. He only wanted a word from Jesus. But there is no record to tell us what that word was. Jesus didn't stop, raise his head toward heaven, and say, "Heal," elongating the vowels to guarantee there was no mistake about what he asked. This was a lesson about faith, not about healing!
Real faith acknowledges the presence and power of the Word made flesh. All arguments to persuade Jesus about how great the need is are unnecessary. He already knows. We want Jesus to say the word that brings change, healing, or help. The problem is, we don't know what that word is. But isn't that where faith comes in? Jesus knows the right word. Say the word becomes a simple prayer that gives Jesus all control. We don't direct; we receive.
Our faith is in who Jesus is before it is in what can do. He will do whatever is right, true, best, empowering, holy, and eternal. Nothing more, nothing less.
We need faith-building experiences like the centurion had. Maybe some are waiting on the other side of our asking Jesus to send us his word for the moment, the day, or the hardship. Perhaps it's not a word with vowels and consonants because he himself is the Word. His presence means we need fewer words because we recognize the power of the Word himself.
Today, pray with confidence: Say the word!
BURNING QUESTIONS
1. How is it backward to connect faith to what Jesus does for you rather than connecting to who Jesus is?
2. How can you learn more about who Jesus is to you today?
AFFIRMATION
The Word became flesh and still speaks the word I need to hear.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Speaking Lord, say the word I need today. If I listen more, I need fewer words.
Posted in Lent