Good morning!
Greetings in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. (Luke 4:47-50)
A noble official at Capernaum had a son, who became ill. It was so serious that his son was about to die. The official, who had power and wealth, tried every treatment and medication available. But all were not effective. His son was still sick and getting weaker in his illness. He heard about Jesus, who performed a miracle — turning water into wine. Although he was a noble official, for his dying son, he humbly came to Jesus with a needy heart. Then he begged Jesus to come down and heal his son because his son was at the point of death. However, Jesus, who answered “ Unless you see sings and wonders you will not believe.” It must be unexpected answer for the official. He must be surprised at his answer, but he asked again with a humble heart “Sir, come down before my child dies.” He was not dissuaded by Jesus’ answer. He talked to Jesus with his sincere heart what Jesus should do. Yes, his faith was great, but his did not fully understand the power of God. He already prescribed how God should heal his son. How many times do we prescribe or set a condition how God should act?
Jesus is always full of mercy and love. Upon his urgent request, Jesus plainly answered that “Go: your son will live.” Then the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. Could the official believe Jesus’ word if this was the first answer from Jesus? Jesus loved him, and he added his faith first before granting his humble request. On the way, he met his servant, and found out his son’s fever left him at the hour when Jesus had said to the official “Your son will live.” Then he himself truly believed, and all his household. Praise the Lord! Jesus made the official’s small but humble faith multiply. It healed his son, and saved all his household. He himself truly experienced the power of God, and believed.
And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. For I too am a man set under authority, with 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.” When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well (Luke 7:1-10)
A centurion, a head of hundred soldiers, had a servant, who was highly valued by him. That servant was sick at the point of death. The centurion said, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof”, and he just wanted Jesus’ word. Jesus marveled at him, and told to the crowd following Him “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” The centurion’s faith was big, and it did not require a physical proof. He had a pure faith that even made Jesus marveled at his faith.
The size or the maturity of faith does not matter. Both came to Jesus with a humble and pure heart while believing that Jesus could heal his son/servant. Our God loves to see our humble and pure heart before him. Then the rest is up to God. He will listen to our prayer, and do His work for us – increasing our faith, giving a miracle like healing a dying son, and making all household believers. He also used the greater faith of the centurion. It marvels us after about two thousand years later, and sets an example of what our faith should be. Praise the Lord, who is always faithful to all of His people, and make them grow deeper in the relationship with God. He uses all kinds of opportunities – son’s illness to death, servant’s illness to death, or other hardships or joys in live. He always waits to hear our prayer from a humble and pure heart.
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrew 4:16)
Let’s continue approaching to God under any situation rather than relying on our own understanding or might. The size of our faith does not matter. When we offer our faith before him, He uses for His glory, and reach out and save people around us. Praise the Lord, whose mercy endures forever! His grace is abound beyond measure.