The Faith of Friends

These are the kind of friends that you want. These men had a friend who was injured in an accident and there was one thing that they knew would heal him. So they got their friend and carried him to the place where they knew healing could take place. They got there and the crowd was so large there was no way to get in. But these friends know something about perseverance, and they were a little creative. They found a way to get their friend up on the roof and they dug a hole, and then found a way to lower their friend in to the only one they knew could heal him, Jesus.

Most men in his position were hated by the locals. They were the local law enforcement for the oppressive outsiders who had taken over the country. But this man was different. He truly cared for others, and even the community that he was sent to. He got to know the townspeople, and found any way he could to help. He built a new synagogue. He cared for his soldiers and even slaves like they were his own family. One day on of his slaves became desperately ill. This man loved all those in his household and would do whatever he could to take care of them. The local elders so loved this man that they would help him any way that they could. It was the Jewish elders that went to find Jesus, even bragging about how this Gentile Roman military officer deserved to have this done for him, if anyone ever deserved anything. While most people in this Centurion’s position were likely proud and power hungry, this man was humble. He believed that Jesus was the ultimate authority and knew all Jesus had to do was give the word, and it would be done. He understood real authority, not the one taken by power, but the kind earned through love and respect. Jesus marveled at his faith. The Son of God was impressed by this Centurion.

In both of these stories, found in Luke 5:17-26 and 7:1-10, it was the faith of friends that led to the healing of the ones who were sick. It was the friends who went out of their way and would accept nothing less than their paralyzed friend encountering Jesus. In the Centurion’s case, it was his servant who was sick, but it was a whole village effort to find Jesus and bring Him so He could heal this beloved servant.

Not only does our faith bring us to Christ, but through our faith others can find the healing that Christ brings. While the paralyzed friend received physical healing, he had his sins forgiven which brought the more important spiritual healing. In the Centurion’s town, there was an entire community that learned how to care for each other through his example of selfless humility. I hope that you have faithful friends, and I hope that your faith brings others into an encounter with Jesus.