Today, I read the story of the centurion in the gospel of Luke. I have read this story a few times and always felt a bit encouraged by it. However, there were several things that I learned today that can apply in way I hadn't thought of before.
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. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." So Jesus went with them.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
Luke 7:1-10
The centurion appears as a well respected master. His servant is well respected by his master as well. So much respect does this man have for his servant, that he is willing to go have people find Jesus to come heal him. This relationship is one that we can apply to our workplaces and our churches. When we are struggling to fit into the leadership structure of the work place or the church, we can look at this model of relationship. They worked so well together that when there was a need the boss or elder chose to seek out healing for this man. There is a genuine sense of love and respect noted in this relationship by the willingness to find help for his servant.
Another aspect of this story in which I find fascinating, is that Jesus is able to see the centurion's motives of love and compassion for his servant. He can see that the centurion is willing to admit that he needs Jesus to heal his servant's sickness because he has greater authority. Jesus sees this and rewards it with the healing of his servant. Jesus is able to recognize true humility and responds with his greatness by healing the servant.
This story was such a blessing to me today. It reminds me that God uses all people in all positions to experience his greatness. His only request is a humble heart and a willing spirit. I am awed by the love and respect of these two men for each other and can only hope that the relationships I have at work and at church will model these.
Maybe you are the centurion in charge of many things and many people. Maybe you are the servant doing your best to honor your leadership. Whatever the case, there is opportunity for God to work miracles in and through those relationships. When we submit our hearts and minds to the motives of God, we become ready and receptive to seeing great things. I don't know about you but, I want to see great things happen through God. By modeling the heart of the centurion for those he is in relationship with, we can see the greatness of God shown through us in our work and in our churches.
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