Transforming Encounters: The 40-Day Challenge (Luke)Sample

Imagine a typical scene, maybe from a film, portraying someone in a position of high authority who wants to save something he loves. He shouts, rages, and uses every resource available to him and every person under his command to find a solution, whatever the cost.

But this is not that scene. This text is about a man in high authority who is on the verge of losing something he loves. But instead of desperation, there is “such great faith not even found in Israel.” The centurion understands the limits of his authority, so he finds the man who has authority over illness and death. Even though this is still very early in Jesus’ ministry, the centurion states he is not worthy for Jesus to come under his roof and knows that Jesus can heal just by saying the word. His behavior shows that he recognises Jesus’ divinity, and Jesus himself admires his faith and is amazed!

The crowd following Jesus sees that faith does not come from desperate situations, nor because the centurion was deserving, but instead great faith comes from a better understanding of who Jesus is. By his example, the Roman centurion invites us to change too, so that our faith in Jesus does not originate in our own helplessness or despair, but from a deeper understanding of Jesus and what he wants to do in our lives.

Choose today to trust Jesus for who He is, regardless of your circumstances and your in/ability to believe.