Just Say The Word

The Bible story for the first day of Vacation Bible School is Matthew 8:5-13. It is the account of a Centurion, a Roman officer, who shows a greater faith in God than all the others in Israel. This Centurion had a servant who was paralyzed and in terrible pain, so he came to Jesus for help. Jesus asked the Centurion if he wanted Him to come to his house and heal his servant. The Centurion's response was:

"'Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.

But just 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.'"

Matthew 8:8-9 (NIV)

The Centurion didn't expect Jesus to follow him and go to his house, even though he was a Roman officer and used to people obeying his orders. He knew that he was, in the presence of Jesus, nothing more than a man — a sinner like every one else. So, the Centurion, recognizing Jesus' sovereign power and authority, asked Jesus just to speak the word. What faith! Even Jesus was amazed.

Not only did the Centurion show great faith in God, but he also showed great compassion and love for a man who was merely his servant. A servant isn't a family member, a fellow officer, or a soldier. A servant is an employed household worker. But, obviously, to the Centurion, his servant was much more than that; his servant was a person, and therefore had value. The Centurion's tender heart reached out to his servant in his dire physical condition, motivating the Centurion to take action — to search for Jesus, find Him, and ask Him for His help on his servant's behalf.

I, too, am amazed at the Centurion's faith in God, but I am also amazed at the Centurion's humility in God's presence, and his great compassion that he showed for his suffering servant. The Centurion had a good heart, a humble spirit, and amazing faith in God, so Jesus blessed the Centurion by answering his earnest and selfless prayer request. No matter who you are, trust God!

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We will be encouraging the children at the summer "Sky" Vacation Bible School to learn the daily verses by giving a prize to each one who can memorize all five verses by the end of the week. The prize is a large styrofoam airplane. Here is a picture of one with of course, my curious kitten, Osha.