A Message of Inspiration From the Author of Living Loved, March 2, 2025
Hey friends!! Read with us!!
Luke 7:1-10 NLT
[1] When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people, he returned to Capernaum. [2] At that time the highly valued slave of a Roman officer was sick and near death. [3] When the officer heard about Jesus, he sent some respected Jewish elders to ask him to come and heal his slave. [4] So they earnestly begged Jesus to help the man. “If anyone deserves your help, he does,” they said, [5] “for he loves the Jewish people and even built a synagogue for us.” [6] So Jesus went with them. But just before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor. [7] I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. [8] I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” [9] When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, “I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!” [10] And when the officer’s friends returned to his house, they found the slave completely healed.
Our take aways this morning!!
First, the Jews lived and died by the rules, so they tried to convince Jesus that the Centurians soldier DESERVED to be healed because he had rebuilt them a synagogue. BUT LISTEN! Jesus came on scene with a heart of compassion, who cared the most about 3 things , PEOPLE, PEOPLE, PEOPLE.
Second, they thought it was a standard of goodness that brought them into favor. The Jewish mindset was “BE GOOD”. But Jesus mindset was “BE GOD’S!” He rejoices in the opportunity to see ANYONE redeemed!! Ephesians 2:8-9 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
Next, we have an ALL ACCESS relationship with Father God through Jesus. And we have direct access into the throne room!! (Our Father is the king!!)
See friends, The Centurion knew Jesus did not need to be present to be powerful and sufficient. While everyone else was worried about records, proof-texts, and resumes of why the guy deserved healing. The centurion reframed the situation by trusting in the power and sovereignty of Jesus over the laws of time and distance!
And, when we yield ourselves to Him and trust Him with supernatural faith, we get to feel the amazement of our Heavenly Father just as the centurion amazed Jesus. Faith is important. We cannot please God without faith.
And lastly, Yielding faith is a ready faith that withstands the trials of a chaotic season. With Christ, even what appears to be failure will be vanquished into the greatness of His reward.
So let me ask you, Where is your faith today? How would your prayers change if you had the faith enough to believe deeply that all Jesus has to do is just say the word. How would it change the way we live out our lives from crisis to crisis? Are you radically depending on Jesus?
The good news about faith is that the more you use it, the more it grows! A mountain is scaled one step at a time! Are you walking in yielded faith?
You are so loved friends!!
About the author
Tracy Kelley is a follower of Jesus, mother, grandmother, author and speaker, living in Sulphur Springs, TX. She is the author of the book Living Loved, Learning to Live in the Fullness of Gods Love, where she shares encouragement from her daily journey and how God has shown His love to her through various trials. You can buy her book, find events, book her for your event, and follow her by going to her Facebook page, where you will always be greeted as friend! You can purchase her book at Good News Book Store in Sulphur Springs, TX; online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and most other major retailers.
