When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 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 7:1-3 NIV
Jesus ministered on an individual basis. In the story we will look at for the next few days, Jesus reached out to heal the servant of a Roman centurion. To understand this story, you need to know that a centurion was a Roman citizen, in charge of at least 100 military men. This was an important and powerful position.
As we begin the story, we see that this centurion is a good employer. He is concerned about the welfare of one of his servants. You really know someone cares when they reach out to you when you are hurting. Everyone seems to want to be around you when you are feeling well. It takes a special person to reach out to those who is sick. This centurion invests his care into the life of his servant. In a strong class system, the servant would have had no real rights, except those given to him by his master. This centurion, however, is not concerned about his servant’s class in society he is concerned about his well-being. May we all do likewise!
The interesting phrase in today's passage is "the centurion heard of Jesus". How would he "hear of Jesus"? This man was a Roman soldier. He was one of the elite. He heard of a carpenter’s son. Imagine that!
How did you "hear of Jesus"? Did someone tell you about Him? Did you read about Him in a Bible? Did He come to you suddenly, as He did to the apostle Paul?
We don't know how this centurion heard of Jesus, and, for that matter, I don't know how you heard of Jesus. The important issue is that you have heard of Jesus. Hearing of Jesus is a life changing event, as we will see from looking at this story.
Have you heard? Praise God today if you have heard of Jesus!
Interested in getting
Mustard Seed Thoughts in your email box?
Enter your email below to add or update your subscriptions to
Mustard Seed Thoughts.
Ron is on Twitter. Find him at
http://twitter.com/ronedmondson
Mustard Seed Ministry is a non-profit, donor supported outreach, touching thousands with encouragement and hope everyday. If you would like more information about the ministry or would consider supporting this work financially, check out the website at www.mustardseedministry.com.
I may not see in front of me, But I can see for miles around when I look over my shoulder, and Lord, it`s clear. You`ve brought me here, So faithful every step of the way. What can I do but follow you, For You are the Way, the Truth, the Life, And You`ve promised never to leave me, My Savior, my friend, From beginning to end. 
RSS Feed