I’ve been looking at Matthew recently and was pondering the story of the Roman centurion who was praised because of his great faith (Matthew 8:5-13). You know, his servant is sick and so he comes to Jesus and only asks that Jesus say a word and the servant would be healed. This faith surprises Jesus who says He has never seen such faith.

The story would make more sense if Jesus was too busy to actually come to the man’s house. If the man asked Him to come, but Jesus said He couldn’t. Out of a desperate effort, he suggested that Jesus just say a word and he would be healed. But that’s not the story. The story is that Jesus offered to come, but the man refused Him.

As I was picturing this in a modern day setting, I understood on a different level why this man might refuse Jesus to come to his house.

Imagine Jesus as He is walking down the road stopping at supermarkets and businesses as men come running to Him for healing. This is where you come joining the crowd of those who are sick and have brought sick ones. You are desperate; you state your request without really knowing what Jesus will say.

When He says, “I will come and heal him,” it takes you aback. You didn’t expect this. You had heard of the man’s kindness, but this is different. You look at the crowds around Him and a wave of guilt comes over you. Would He really leave these crowds to come to my house to heal one servant? What about the multitudes around Him? I am not worthy to take Him away from so many; to have Him come under my roof.

No, I cannot let Him come to my house. I cannot take this man away from the so many who have gathered. There must be another way. Yes, why can’t He just say a word? He is a man of authority like myself; He must be able to heal without actually coming to my house.

I don’t know if this is actually what happened, but at least this is how I would feel. I’m not sure that Jesus is praising the centurion because of his belief that Jesus could heal over time and space, or if the centurion understood the golden rule of loving your neighbor and doing unto others as they would do unto you.

In any case, it blows my mind that Jesus would interrupt His day for one seemingly insignificant servant.