As Jesus was entering Capernaum, a Centurion approached Him asking for his servant’s healing. This shows the concern he had for his subordinate. We seldom meet people with this trait. Many of us are so self-centred that if anyone is sick, we look for their replacement by saying that they have become inactive. We cannot hold them anymore. This is the way the world deals with the weaker section of our society. We give importance to someone till the time we can derive work from them but the moment we understand that the person is of no use, then we instinctively stop caring for them. But the Bible says,

“Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the LORD delivers him; the LORD protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; you do not give him up to the will of his enemies. The LORD sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health.” Psalm 41: 1-3

Understanding God’s Sovereignty

The Centurion believed on the holistic authority of God. To understand this one should know who is God. When Peter answered the question that Jesus asked him, “Who am I?” Jesus emphatically mentioned that this revelation to Peter was from His father. Peter answered that Jesus is Christ. 1 John 4:2 says unless and until Father gives His spirit, the Holy Spirit, one cannot call His son’s name Jesus. We can also see Paul expressing the same truth in 1 Corinthians 12:3. This grace is given to people who desire to know the True God. If we are particular in receiving only a momentary blessing, then the quest to understand the True God will fade away as soon as we have received the required blessing. This will lead the human mind to hunt for the blessings at any cost. This is the point where people opt to run here and there on a trial basis. The author of the book of Hebrews taught us to believe on the existence and the sovereign authority of God. (Hebrews 11:6)

The Centurion could understand the sovereignty of God as he evaluated on the jurisdiction of his authority. Many may go astray while speculating on their own authority as that builds up our ego. On the contrary the Centurion began to realise that if he could have this kind of authority over his servants then how much will be the authority of God who created the heavens and earth.

Understanding our state

Only when we come to God’s presence, we can understand ourselves in a wholesome manner. (Isaiah 1:5) Else we will think of ourselves as a great person and fail to understand God’s sovereignty. When Jesus heard the petition of the Centurion, He was ready to visit his house at once. However the Centurion told Jesus that he was not worthy that Jesus can visit him. He acknowledged himself as a sinner.

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” I John 1:8-10

Speaking about our Master

We talk much about our boss’ reputation and tactics elaborately. Most of the time the listener does not comprehend it as they do not have any nexus with our boss. Try speaking about our heavenly father and though the listener probably does not know our heavenly father, our father definitely knows them. Here the Centurion spoke about the power of his master’s word and gave an opportunity for demonstration.

The remarkable part is that he confessed his faith on Jesus’ words by saying, “only say a word, my servant will be healed”. The Bible says that Jesus was marvelled at his faith. This faith had accomplished through the evaluation of his worldly position. Is our present position prompting us to realise God’s power, or accumulate pride in us.

Whenever there is a problem, God sends out His Word to heal them and the Centurion believed this.

“He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.” Psalm 107:5

Do we believe His Words to deliver us from destruction, and to offer eternal life, God sent His Word into this world? The word became flesh and dwelled among us to reveal the glory of God, that word is Jesus. Centurion came to the word that became flesh and believed in the component which has transformed into flesh. Many a times we go to Jesus but fail to understand the word component. Bible says that there is power in His name. Prophet Isaiah illustrates the way the Word works

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10-11

The word became Jesus and He has accomplished the purpose of His coming. He bought us back by His precious blood and made us worthy to enter the eternal life.

Word of God Heals

Centurion believed on Jesus’ Word and his servant was healed at the very moment when Jesus uttered the word. The word accomplishes the purpose for which He was sent.

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” I Peter 1: 24

If we believe this, healing is sure. May our Lord Jesus help us to believe this, leaving aside all the efforts of this world.