Whose Plans are Better?

Even a quick reading of the four Gospels will show a remarkable wide variety of healings that Jesus performed, as well as methods of healing.  Sometimes He touched someone; sometimes He simply said from afar that someone was now healed.  Sometimes He used mud, sometimes spit.  Sometimes the healing was immediate, sometimes in stages.  Sometimes He was reacting to a request; sometimes He took the initiative when He saw someone who needed help.  And sometimes the healing was given to a person with great faith; sometimes there's no mention of the person's faith or lack of faith.

Many of us are at a position in life when we need a healing, just like so many people did who met Jesus.  However, many of us prefer to tell Jesus how to do His work in us: "This is the way I want to be healed: no mud, no spit, no waiting.  And I am free the day after tomorrow..."  Sound familiar?  It's called control.

There's someone in the Gospels who needed a healing for someone close to him, and we can learn from him! 

When Jesus had finished saying all these things to the people, he went to Capernaum.  A Roman officer there had a servant who was very dear to him; the man was sick and about to die.  When the officer heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to ask him to come and heal his servant.  They came to Jesus and begged him earnestly, “This man really deserves your help.  He loves our people and he himself built a synagogue for us.”

So Jesus went with them.  He was not far from the house when the officer sent friends to tell him, “Sir, don't trouble yourself.  I do not deserve to have you come into my house, neither do I consider myself worthy to come to you in person.  Just give the order, and my servant will get well. 

I, too, am a man placed under the authority of superior officers, and I have soldiers under me.  I order this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes;  I order that one, ‘Come!’ and he comes;  and I order my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”

Jesus was surprised when he heard this; he turned round and said to the crowd following him, “I tell you, I have never found faith like this, not even in Israel!”   The messengers went back to the officer's house and found his servant well.

(Luke 7, ASV)


This passage is always called something like; "The Faith of the Centurion".  Let's look at this story from a different perspective, however, one that will mean much to those of us needing healing, but wanting it in a specific way and in an appointed time (set by us!).

This Centurion had a plan!  He decided the best way to get Jesus to heal was to send Jewish elders to plead the Centurion's case.  They were to say this and that, and ask Jesus to actually come.  You can almost see the Centurion figuring out the most effective and efficient plan!  Sure he had faith, but he also had a plan!

But read carefully.  The plan was working, Jesus was on His way, Jesus would probably dutifully take care of the sick person.  But then, all of a sudden, we read that the "plan" was discarded and thrown out!  Instead, there would be no plan; the Centurion would just trust Jesus to provide a healing in a way Jesus would decide, rather than following the Centurion's carefully laid out plan!

This decision is what impressed Jesus so much!  There probably would have been a healing, plan or no plan, but when Jesus saw the plan vanish and simple trust in Jesus replace the plan, He could not help but be truly amazed and to act immediately!

We can't be open if we are too busy planning and explaining to God the value of our own healing plan.  You can amaze Jesus, like the Centurion, by settling in His arms and following His methods and plans.  Like the Centurion, we have to realize His plans for us are better than our plans for us!



PAUSE … Invite Him to be with you; let Him quiet you with His Love.


REFLECT… What is God saying to you?

You can wear yourself out planning the details of becoming whole and free, or you can rest comfortably        listening to what He has to say.  Which do you suppose would be a better use of your time?

RECEIVE … As you quiet yourself, and tell both yourself and God that He is in full control as to how and when He will work in you, you can rest peacefully knowing the best will be happening soon!

Fall into His arms and listen for words meant just for you!


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