But Only Speak the Word

After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. ²A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. ³When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. ⁴When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, ‘He is worthy of having you do this for him, ⁵for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us.’ ⁶And 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; ⁷therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. ⁸For 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.’ ⁹When 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.’ ¹⁰When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health. Luke 7:1-10

I’m used to being in control

As the commander of a unit of soldiers,

I am used to people following my orders

When I tell them to march they march,

They march.

But none of that matters to me right now.

In this moment,

I am powerless.

I don’t know how to make it better.

I feel helpless.

My servant,

I care for him, love him.

But there is nothing, I can do.

We have been to every doctor, healer, snake charm salesman.

We have tried potions, baths, pills, bleeding.

Nothing has made a difference.

The last one just patted me on the shoulder…

He is so ill.

Close to death.

In my position,

I have started to hear stories.

Rumors about this new faith healer.

So I used my pull,

I talked to leaders of the local synagogue.

I asked them to speak to Jesus for me.

They pleaded my case.

They convinced him to come and see my servant.

Someone came to tell me they were on the way.

I walked outside and saw them in the distance.

I sent my friends with a message.

Don’t trouble yourself

We aren’t worthy of a visit.

You shouldn’t be under my roof.

As he was talking to my friends,

He stood still, listening

He looked away from them.

He looked at me…

As my friend spoke,

He looked at me

Even though he couldn’t hear me

I prayed

But only speak the word….

And let my servant be healed.

But only speak the word….

And let my servant be healed.