Just Say the Word

Jesus had finished teaching His disciples, along with the crowds that followed Him everywhere, having given His sermon on mount. Then we are told in Luke 7:1, "Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum." Jesus was likely headed for Peter's home which served as headquarters for His Galilean ministry, as well as the place where He stayed when in Capernaum.

Upon entering the city, Jesus has an interesting encounter. We are simply told, "And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die" (v. 2). In the parallel passage in Matthew 8:6, the centurion clarifies the situation, saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented."

The centurion, an officer in the Roman army that commands one hundred men, "when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant" (Luke 7:3). When the elders "came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving" (v. 4). They noted that this centurion "loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue" (v. 5).

"Jesus went with them" (v. 6a). As He began to approach the centurion's home, He came upon a second wave of messengers: "The centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, 'Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, "Go," and he goes; and to another, "Come," and he comes; and to my servant, "Do this," and he does it'" (vv. 6b-8).

As I have said before, Jesus recognizes great faith and He honors such faith. "When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, 'I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!'" (v. 9). The centurion, a Roman officer, sent word through his friends to Jesus, telling Him simply, "Say the word!" (v. 7b). That's all! Just, "Say the word, and my servant will be healed" (v. 7b).

And guess what? Jesus just said the word and the paralysis left the servant and he was healed. We are told, "And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick" (v. 10). Jesus did not lay hands on the servant. He did not even lay His eyes on either the servant or the centurion. He just said the word, as the centurion asked, and the servant was healed.

Have a little faith. Jesus said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you" (Matt. 17:20). When you trust in Jesus by faith, He will watch over you. Amen.