Verse of the Day 2/21

Through the Bible - Exodus 12-13, 1 Thessalonians 2

 

Good morning,

The men's small group that I am in has been going through the book of Luke.  This week we're in chapter seven and are looking at the healing of the centurion's servant and the healing of the son of the widow of Nain.

Today we'll look at the healing of the centurion's servant which is the first contact between Jesus and a non Jew in Luke's gospel.

 

For today's verses we'll go to the beginning of the chapter where doctor Luke outlines the dire situation.

 

Luke 7:2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. 3 So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.
NKJV

The NKJV says that the servant was ready to die.  You get the picture that there was no hope, everything that could be done had been tried. It was just a matter of time now.  The passage goes on to describe some things about the servant that he was a good man, loved the nation and had built the synagogue.

 

The centurion doesn't bring any of this up.  He approaches Jesus as one in authority in the situation coming from someone that knew something about authority.  He knew and displayed his faith in Jesus in the words that he said.  "Say the word and my servant will be healed."

 

How many times in your life have you been ready to give up in a situation, thinking all was lost or that all hope was gone?

 

In this situation, Jesus commended the centurion for his faith saying "not even in Israel have I found faith like this."

 

Sometimes it will take someone from the outside of our community of faith to teach us real faith.  Sometimes we're too anxious to throw in the towel and give up, even ready to die.  Maybe you know someone in that position.

May we have the faith to press on and come to Jesus saying "say the word" and have confidence that His will be done..

 

When you don't know what else to pray,
when you don't know what else to say,
when you can't make it through another day, say the name

 

Say the name and let Him say the word.

 

"Lord, no matter how desperate the trouble I am in, you always have the solution.  Let me turn to you in confidence and wait in hope for your solution".  - Henry Wansbrough

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV
Luke 7:1-11

 

7 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. 2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. 3 So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5 "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."

 

6 Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

 

9 When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  10 And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.   NKJV