Yesterday’s thought was about how distraction misplaces our wonder. So, I wonder what it looks like when Jesus has my full-on attention? I can think of a few people in the Bible that exemplified this pretty well: Abraham, Jehoshaphat, Daniel, and Mary come to mind. But there is one account in the Gospels that is especially intriguing — the faith of a centurion (Matthew 8 & Luke 7).
The centurion (a commander in the Roman army) had heard about Jesus and appealed to him on behalf of a sick servant. Jesus was ready to go to the centurion’s house and heal his servant, but the centurion stopped him. In one statement, the roman commander communicates the wonder he sees in Jesus.
“I am not worthy of you to be in my house, say the word and it will be done. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” (Mt.8:8-9)
What intrigues me about this story is Jesus’ response. It says that when he heard this, Jesus marveled at the centurion’s faith and said, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith…Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.”
Our faith astonishes Jesus — that’s wonder. The same Greek word and everything.
When it comes to Jesus, wonder is two-sided. He is just as enamored with us as we are with him. I wholeheartedly believe that every time I choose to look at Jesus, to appeal to him, he’s like, “Hey angels, check my girl out. She’s looking at me again! I’ve never seen such a thing! I gotta respond to that!”
Jesus, I want to capture you today with my adoration and faith. Thank you for always being there to see, and for always looking back and responding.
Brave Sparrow 