What Jesus Prioritized

Last week, a detail in a familiar story caught my attention and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.

To set the scene, Roman centurions and Jewish teachers weren’t usually on the same side in Jesus’ time. Which makes me think that this man was desperate. The centurion sought Jesus out, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” (Matthew 8:6)

Jesus didn’t hesitate, but offered to go with the man and heal his servant. You’d think the conversation would end there. Problem solved, let’s get the servant relief as soon as possible. But then the centurion said something he didn’t have to. Though the centurion had already gotten what he wanted, he called Jesus “Lord” (for the second time, mind you), and he said something so humble it makes me think it wasn’t groveling to get what he wanted, but genuine. “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8)

This time, Jesus doesn’t immediately offer to heal the servant. Instead, he turns to his disciples and affirms the centurion’s faith in front of his disciples, saying, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” (Matthew 8:10)

This is the detail that has captured my attention: Jesus dealt with the heart before he solved the physical problem. The centurion’s heart was contrite—and humility is a good thing—but he didn’t need to stay in shame. And so before Jesus healed the servant, he strongly praised the man’s faith.

In my own life, I’ve been asking Jesus for tangible things too. I’ve been praying for healing for my body and for financial provision. And we know from Matthew 6 that Jesus knows and cares about our physical needs. But I’ve felt God’s nudging to pray that he heals my heart of the lies, fears, and unhelpful thought patterns that have taken root.

I still am praying for the tangible things I need, but as I wait, I am seeing God use my current suffering to address both the sin and the hurt in my heart. What unseen things might God be doing in your own heart right now when you are focused on the external needs?

Lord, thank you that you care about every detail of our lives, both the seen and the unseen. Please help me to be patient even when I do not understand what you are doing. Help me to trust you, because I know who you are.

Throughout the Day: Today, tell God your tangible needs and ask for his help. Then, listen to what he might have to say to you about those things or about what other things he is doing in your heart. Join me in submitting to his shepherding and choosing to trust his timing.