5When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him,6“Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.”7Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.”
8But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.9I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”
10When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!11And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.12But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
13Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour.
Notice the wisdom and the faith of this officer. He recognizes that Jesus is not limited by distance or presence. The officer sees in Jesus authority over sickness and pain. This may seem like a small thing at first glance, but I would venture to say that few of us show that wisdom right now. I certainly don’t. If I truly believed Jesus had true authority over the events of my life, would I worry? How much joy would I show every hour of every day if I really believed that Jesus was in control? Or if I do believe Jesus is in control, and I still worry, do I doubt His love?
Lord, help me to remember that You love and You are in control. Lord, help me to show the joy and the hope and the life that faith in You brings. Beginner’s Online Bible Study *obbs*
Please contribute to the discussion. What does this story say to you? What questions do you have?
Worry is a nasty beast!! It can take over so quickly and so strongly. But God will take that huge weight from us if we let him. That is easier to say than to do, though, even when we know it is absolutely the truth!!
Worry has such a stronghold in my life, which grieves me deeply. I know that God in in control, but the fear seems to overpower that knowledge. I also am thankful for the unconditional love of my Lord and Savior. He knows my heart and even on those days that I allow fear and worry to bring me down, Jesus is there to catch me and hold me in the palm of His hand. I will continue to move forward in His love….