Feb 3: Weekly Reading- Healing the Centurion’s Servant; The Caring & Insight Post by Kim Feld
Weekly Reading: Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-10
Monday Reflection
Faith Transcends Boundaries: The Centurion, a Roman officer, approached Jesus with great faith despite cultural and religious differences. His faith was so remarkable that Jesus marveled, showing us that true faith knows no boundaries.
Monday Verse
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1 (NLT)
Monday Questions
Do I have faith that transcends the barriers of culture, status, or background? How can I trust Jesus more fully in every situation?
Monday Insight Post
by Kim Feld
In this week’s reading of the healing of the centurion’s servant, I am once again struck by the connection between faith and healing and Jesus’ ability to cross cultural lines to help those suffering. The centurion believed Jesus could heal his servant – he even believed in Jesus’ ability to heal while not being physically present with the one He was healing! Our reflection questions asked us to look at barriers to faith, which caused me to ponder whether my trust in Jesus depended on the circumstances. What are the barriers to my faith?
I don’t believe faith requires us to live in some Pollyanna state. However, many positives can come from an optimistic outlook that searches for the good in situations. I believe God wants us to use sober judgment when looking at circumstances, especially within ourselves (see Romans 12:3). Sometimes, you have to see the bad to really appreciate and recognize the good.
The Bible tells us to pray without stopping (see 1 Thessalonians 5:17). I interpret this command as an invitation to pray about everything, to bring all my concerns and hopes to God. But do I truly have the kind of faith that the centurion displayed, believing that Jesus can do anything I ask of Him? Are there situations that either seem too big to ever be resolved or so little that I don’t want to ‘bother’ Him with my request? Honestly, both ends of the spectrum can be barriers to faith for me. But through prayer, I find the strength to overcome these barriers, knowing that God is always listening and always ready to help.
I’ve learned that there is a big difference between “believing in” and “believing.” I believe in God with all my heart, but do I always believe what He says? There’s a difference. God’s word says that nothing is impossible for Him (see Matthew 19:26). The Greek word for “possible” in this verse is dynatos, which means possible based on power. All things are possible for God because of who He is and the power He possesses. Somehow, this seemed evident to the centurion.
In God’s infinite wisdom, He doesn’t always respond to our requests with a yes. There are many ‘no’s’ that God has given me that I won’t fully understand until I see Him face to face. But faith is a confident trust that He always has my best in mind. It’s a trust that brings peace, even in the face of uncertainty. Let me close with this thought from Hebrews:
Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses] (Hebrews 11:1, AMP).
Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1, NLT).
Kim Feld
Executive Director of Education and Outreach
New Hope Church
Lorton, Virginia
www.newhope.org