“Amazing, simply amazing”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Monday, May 13, 2024
Matthew 8: 5-17 (Forward, p. 15) CEV p. 990
Jesus remarks that He’d never seen such faith, even in all of Israel. And I can certainly see why He was so surprised and astounded. The Roman centurion had such faith in Jesus that he was firmly convinced that Jesus could heal his servant sight unseen. That is, that he’d be healed without any physical or personal contact, without a touch or a word or some sort of medicine or therapy. We certainly don’t expect that of any modern medical practitioner!
Furthermore, the centurion was convinced that a chain of command existed in the spiritual world—Jesus’ world—just as in the Roman military. He, as a centurion, had superior officers to which he was expected to obey, and junior ranks under his command that were likewise expected to obey him. And all that it took in either situation, was a word of command. So, the centurion was certain that this same sort of thing existed in the spiritual realm, that the powers of nature and illness were likewise subject to Jesus, and that a mere word from Jesus would heal his servant. It is amazing, simply amazing.
Actually, the same sort of thing exists even now with us and Jesus. Jesus is no longer physically present, so do we, like the centurion, believe that Jesus is able to work remotely, as it were? But here we run into a slight snag: we no longer have His word of authority being uttered in our present moment. So, can we rely upon His words of authority, His promises as found in the Holy Scriptures, instead? I believe that we can, if only we had the same kind of faith as did that centurion. Here, then, we need to pray, as the distraught father of the epileptic boy did, “Lord, I do have faith! Please help me to have even more” (Mark 9:24).
Forward notes: “The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed” (verse 8).
“In Rite I for Holy Eucharist in the American Book of Common Prayer, the Prayer of Humble Access (p. 337) quotes these words of the centurion right before the congregation approaches the altar to receive communion. Although some may not be familiar with it as it is not included in the more
commonly used Rite II forms, this prayer is similar to one in the Roman Catholic Mass. It is a liturgical reminder that, as we prepare to receive the sign and symbol of God’s grace in the sacrament, grace is not reliant on our personal worthiness or attempts at goodness but on God’s properties of love and mercy.
Note: this is found in the Canadian Book of Alternative Services, on page 246, and The Book of Common Prayer (2019) on page 135.
“The centurion, presumably a Roman Gentile, recognizes Jesus’s healing power, and although he is in a position of authority and not Jewish, he humbles himself in the presence of Jesus, proclaiming his own unworthiness. No matter what worldly positions we hold, we come to the altar always relying on God’s grace.”
MOVING FORWARD: “Consider adding the Prayer of Humble Access in your conversations with God. How do these words shape your prayer time?”