Paralyzing Belief!

“Then Jesus said to the centurion,
“Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.”” Matthew 8:13

If, as we believe from Scripture, that Jesus is the Son of God and that the Son and the Father are intimately related through the Trinity, in hearing Jesus speak to the centurion, we hear him speak to us!

But it is more than mere auditory reception. This is the conjoining of beings, one divine and one created humanity, which share in the eternal fabrication of reality. It is not that the divine needs our help, because there is ample evidence to see that the created order was spoken into existence (Genesis 1; John 1), but rather a deferring of that godly initiative in order to involve us in the very essence of what He has created.

Certainly the miraculous was demonstrated when those who were lame could walk, who were blind, could see, who were deaf could hear, who were dead were raised to life. Many of these coming about because Jesus saw the need and was moved with compassion. Here, however, we read of the mutual symbiotic relationship which brought about other forms of deliverance.

In this particular account, Matthew tells us that the one on whose behalf the centurion was imploring Jesus to act was a servant. This was not a personal plea or request but an intercession on behalf of another. Yes, his servant and therefore some sense of value was inherent, but there is a perspective which places this request of Jesus as a distance from the man himself. In articulating his request, the centurion declares his unworthiness to have Jesus come to his humble home. But also says that he knows the power which accompanies authority. In so stating, he was exercising his faith in the ability of Jesus to heal from a distance obviating the necessity of his presence with the servant.

Such faith became the basis of healing for the servant and this expression from Jesus, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” There is that word on which this whole account hinges – believe. When we examine the Greek we see the following: to believe, put one’s faith in, trust, with an implication that actions based on that trust may follow; (pass.) entrust.

To entrust, to put one’s faith in, to trust with an implication that actions based on that trust may follow are powerful concepts which deserve our attention. Here the concept of belief is not merely nebulous, uniformed, blind trust as we sometimes say, but rather the purposeful, knowledgeable, decision to place one’s future to some degree into the hands of another with the hope and anticipation that the one so entrusted will care passionately and compassionately for your well being. It was with this intent that the centurion placed the future of his valued servant on the initiative of Jesus knowing that he would act with compassion and with concern.

Behind this request lay the confidence that Jesus alone could remedy the situation, which to all intents and purposes, was hopeless. It is in such circumstances that one is forced to either lose hope or re-orient one’s future to the providence of God Himself.

Understanding that God works in our lives actively we know: Rom. 8:28 We know that all things work together (that God works together in all things) for the good (ultimate good) of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

It is in this understanding that the true essence of belief, trust, hope, faith and assurance are ultimately resting – God works! God works together! God works together in all things! God works together in all things for the ultimate good of those who love God.

If our calling is certain, if our love for God is real, then our faith is anchored securely to that which cannot harm or destroy! Amen.