When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, 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.

I have a few friends that, if they say they are going to do something … they do it to the best of their ability. I have some others who only will do what they think they have to.
In the military, they drill and drill into their recruits obedience to the order. Why is this important? Because in the heat of the battle, there may not be time for everyone to ask questions, and everyone counts on everyone else to perform at high levels.

This military man understood authority and how to submit to it. He knew how to win the hearts of people too. He was kind. Notice when his messenger comes to Jesus, all those who knew him spoke up for him because he was kind — in building them their temple. He also listened well. Notice here again, Luke points out that Jesus spoke not to all who heard him, he spoke directly to listeners, those who heard and sought to understand and act on the truth they heard. This man in the military understood authority and power. He understood that Jesus had great power over evil spirits, diseases, creation, etc.

And so, the manner in which he makes his request reflects what he observes about Jesus, and who he believes him to be: 1) Notice, he calls him Lord, 2) he humbled himself and says he is not worthy for Jesus to come all the way to his house, and 3) he recognizes His Power is displayed whether or not he is present. So he says, “just say the word and I know my servant will be healed”. This is the type of battle-hardened faith Jesus is looking for.

I think sometimes our prayers to God are weak because we focus on ourselves and our comfort. The centurion focused on someone else, his servant’s well-being. He was “others-focused”.

This is a great example of the thinking of a “sold-out” follower of Jesus. Humbled and others-focused, they understand the immense power of their Lord and Savior. They recognize his authority and call on his mercy and grace for themselves and others.
Lord, help me to go to you and call on you to help the hurting around me. You are so powerful to save, rescue, redeem, and restore broken people (just like me)! May I trust you to do your part, in your way, in your time!