SCRIPTURE:
“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.”
Luke 7:2-3
OBSERVATION:
The centurion’s servant was extremely sick and on the verge of death. Under Roman law at the time, no one would have thought otherwise if he got rid of his slave and replaced him, by any means necessary. Yet, here we see the centurion seeking out Jesus’ help through the elders because of his own feelings of unworthiness (Luke 7:6). He was thoroughly convinced and full of faith, that Jesus’ ability to heal was so powerful, all that was needed was for Him to speak it (Luke 7:7).
APPLICATION:
There is so much going on here. On one hand we see the dire situation of a highly valued servant. On the other, we see a Roman centurion humbling himself to seek Jesus out for His healing power, fully convinced that Jesus can heal him.
The focus of this story is often on the faith of the Centurion, which is on full view when he says this to Jesus – “But say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Yet I can’t help to see the overriding theme of love within it. The love that the centurion had for his servant, as well as the love that others had for the centurion (Luke 7:4).
I remember someone once saying that love was not an emotion, but a choice. Ask anyone who has been married for more than a few decades and they will often agree. Sometimes the answer to many of the difficulties we have in life is to simply choose love, above all else.
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13
PRAYER:
Father Almighty. Forgive me Lord when I have chosen to withhold love for others when You have so clearly called me to love unconditionally. Thank You Lord for loving me. May I love others as You have called me to, this I pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.