JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Matthew 8:10.

Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”

Who was Jesus talking about? Was this person a priest or one of His disciples? No, Jesus was talking about a Roman soldier. This man’s statement of faith was so impressive that even Jesus was amazed.

The centurion’s servant was at home paralyzed and suffering. The Centurion came to Jesus seeking His help. He said, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.”

This centurion was an influential man in his rank, and at the same time he had a humble disposition toward Jesus. He also trusted Jesus. He acknowledged that Jesus had the power to heal his servant by the power of His words. Jesus called attention to the great faith of this Roman soldier.

The words of Jesus inspire us to trust in the truth and power of His words in the Year of Redemption.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Person of Integrity from the Bible is a centurion with faith.

He encountered Jesus in Luke chapter 7. His highly valued servant was sick and dying, and so he sent messengers to Jesus to ask Him to come and heal his servant.

His message to Jesus was so filled with faith that the Bible says that Jesus was amazed at him. What did he say that was so astonishing?

He said, “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.”

This man understood that just as his soldiers moved at his word, so sickness had to move at the command of Jesus. So, if Jesus would just say the word, then the centurion was confident that his servant would be healed. Jesus said about this man, “I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” The servant was then healed of his sickness.

The faithfulness of the Centurion to trust in the words of Jesus inspires us to believe the word of God and to live a life of integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com