Contemplative Bible Reading

Luke 7:9 (New Living Translation)

9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, “I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!”

This is part of the (hi)story of Jesus healing the slave of a Roman officer. Messengers from the Roman officer told Jesus, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself by coming to my (the officer’s) home, for I am not worthy of such an honor. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.”

Then we read the reaction of Jesus. How could the Son of God sent to us to save us from our sins be amazed by something one person does? Perhaps there is something lost or added in translation, but here it is in front of us in black and white.

The Roman officer was the earthly enemy of God’s people. Some people used these Romans to persecute Christians for hundreds of years. This was the enemy or the bad guys. And one of these bad guys asked Jesus to heal a slave. No presence needed. No touching or any of that. Just say so and it will be.

This was all wrong. The enemy. A slave holder. Everything about this was wrong. Yet, faith was there. The bad guy believed Jesus was able. The bad guy honored Jesus.

I look around my neighborhood and my life. Who are the bad guys? Do even the bad guys have faith? In this instance, the answer was, “YES!” Who am I to deny faith from the bad guys? Who am I to do anything or judge anything or … well, you know. Please God, help me in my unbelief.