Memorial Day 2011

Luke 7:1-10 (NRSV)

After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy of having you do this for him, for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us."

And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say 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 only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. For I also 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 slave, 'Do this,' and the slave does it."

When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

In Jesus' day, Jews did not enter into the homes of Gentiles. The centurion knew this, so he was being considerate of Jesus in saying, "I do not deserve to have you come under my roof . . . just say the word, and my servant will be healed." Isn't it amazing that this Roman had such faith in Jesus?

Further, when Jesus "healed the sick", it no where mentions that He healed 'some of the sick' or only those who had 'enough faith'. Not the 'righteous'. Not the 'deserving' among the sick.  But "the sick."

Each time Jesus healed, knowing the person's heart and mind, He had to forgive not only the past sins but those in the future too. 

I find this comforting. He heals me, too. Of my past sins and of my future sins.  May I live in accordance with what it is I believe!

Now, back to our Centurion - and to our soldiers of today: to those who are under the 'authority' of a commander and carry out the orders they are given.  Bless you! And may you be reunited with your loved ones soon.

My prayer:

Abba, Father~ hear my prayer! Help us to watch over your children near and far.  Help us to work for a world where wars end and soldiers fight no more. ~Amen.

Yours, because we're His,